If you want to turn over a new leaf in the coming year and make your camping trips in your new or used RV better than ever before, consider keeping a travel diary! This is a wonderful way to capture and preserve the memories of your journeys and even make notes to yourself for the future when it comes to planning return trips! Here are some RV tips and ideas on what you can include in your travel diary and why.
Daily Itinerary
Outline your daily plans, including activities, attractions, and any reservations you may have. This helps provide context to your entries and serves as a useful reference.
Weather and Seasonal Conditions
Make note of the weather each day. This can be interesting to look back on and may impact your experiences and activities, and can help you make decisions in future plans. For example, it may be to your advantage to visit some destinations during the “off season,” even if it means a higher daily chance of rain. Keep a log of those weather and seasonal conditions to help you plan mindfully later on!
Traveling Companions and Challenges
These are two separate categories! Make sure you log who you traveled with. Was it a solo outing? You and your bestie? What about a fun, romantic getaway – or something with all the grandkids? Make a note in your travel log about who was on the trip – right down to the sleeping arrangements for everyone. Again, notes about what worked and didn’t work can help you make plans for the future!
Also, make sure to document any challenges or obstacles you faced during the trip, and the solutions you found for them. This could be anything from dealing with high traffic or tourist levels you weren’t counting on to roadside breakdowns. Keeping track of how you dealt with your challenges is just as important as keeping track of a trip where everything goes off without a hitch.
General Thoughts & Reflections
If you are already a journal-keeper, this will fit right in with your routine. If you’re not, consider it a new and valuable experience! Write a few sentences to share your thoughts and reflections on the places you visit. What did you like or dislike? Were there surprises or unexpected discoveries? Capture your emotions and feelings during the trip. Describe moments of joy, excitement, awe, or any challenges you may have faced. Highlight interactions with locals or fellow travelers. Share their stories, interesting conversations, or any new friendships formed.
Local Experiences
Every region of the United States has incredible local flair you won’t want to miss out on. Write down exceptional dining or entertainment experiences you enjoyed at your destination. If you ever make a return trip, you’ll want to go back to visit that hole-in-the-wall restaurant that’s been run by the same family for 5 generations and whose chef made you feel extra welcome.
Remember, your travel diary is a personal reflection of your experiences, so feel free to customize it to suit your preferences and style. Whether it’s a handwritten journal, a digital blog, or a combination of both, your travel diary is a valuable keepsake of your adventures, and can help you make fantastic travel plans in the future because you have clear memories to think back on.
We’d love to help you start the new year in a new or used RV and let you get to traveling. Stop in or contact us today!
