roadtrip – Steve Crossland

Recap of 35 days travel in a Roadtrek

July 20, 2021June 27, 2021 by Steve

Having just completed a 35 day journey to New England and back in my Roadtrek 190 camper van, here are some highlights and thoughts from the maiden journey in the Roadtrek.

Total miles: 7,435
Average 212 miles per day
Shortest daily miles, 53
Longest daily miles 804 (final push back to home)
Average MPG 15
No Chevy mechanical issues, 1 oil change along the way,
No major Roadtrek mechanical issues (water pump burps, fridge flies open)
Overnights Breakdown:
- State/County Parks: 14 nights
- RV/Campgrounds: 13 Nights
- Parking Lots/Rest stops: 7 nights
- Mom’s Driveway: 1 night
- 3 night stays: 1
- 2 night stays: 5
- 1 night stays: 22
States Traversed (in order): TX, AR, TN, KY, OH, PA, NY, VT, NH, ME, NH, MA, RI, CT, NY, CT, MA, NH, ME, NH, MA, CT, NY, PA, WV, VA, TN, GA, AL, MS, LA, TX

Maine Coast and Back to Texas

July 19, 2021June 26, 2021 by Steve

I last checked in 11 days ago from Salem Massachusetts. I’m now back in Wimberley TX after 35 days of “van life” travel and exploration in my 2012 Chevy Roadtrek Popular 190 travel van.

From Salem I ventured back up to Gloucester MA and took in a Whale Watching trip. Only two humpback whales were spotted, and we trailed them for quite a while. But it was a fun adventure despite not seeing more whales.

I then headed up the coasts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine again, and up into Acadia National Forest to take in the incredible beauty there. I had bypassed Acadia my first trip up, so I’m glad I came back up to see it.

Hudson Valley NY to Salem MA

July 19, 2021June 26, 2021 by Steve

I last checked in from Croton-On-Hudson NY, in the Hudson Valley north of New York City. I’m checking in this morning from Salem Massachusetts alongside a beautiful bay.

After my two nights at the Croton Point campground and the day trip by train visit to New York City to see Caroline, I continued up the Hudson Valley with stops in Newburgh NY, and a longer stop and New Paltz NY for lunch.

The Hudson Valley area of New York state is picturesque and beautiful. This is home to the Catskill Mountains, with many resorts and campgrounds. The Hudson river itself is a mammoth river, which stretches far north of New York City and is very wide in places.

Kennebunk to Hudson Valley and NYC

July 19, 2021June 10, 2021 by Steve

I last checked in from Kennebunk Maine, currently in the Hudson Valley north of NYC. From Maine I traveled down the Maine coast, briefly crossing through New Hampshire then into Massachusetts. This is beautiful, often “rugged” looking rocky coastline, but with many nice beach towns.

I eventually ended up in Gloucester MA, where I spent several hours walking around exploring, and sitting at the waterfront park relaxing watching people, the boats and taking in the sights and sounds. I liked this place so much I almost stayed, but decide to return later.

From Gloucester I wanted to go into and explore Boston. This didn’t work out as I was vexed by the street patterns, narrow streets, and limited parking. I don’t think it’s a good idea to head blind into these tight, congested older big cities in a campervan without knowing exactly where I want to go. It’s not a place to “wing it”.

Up to the Top of Maine

July 18, 2021June 5, 2021 by Steve

I’m checking in this morning from a campground outside Kennebunk Maine. I last posted from Camden State Park.

From Camden, after 2 nights, I moved about 100 miles further NE to to another State Park Campground at Cobscook Bay. This area of Maine has incredible tidal variance, with some of the back bays seeing a 30ft rise and fall of tide depth each day. I was camped right on the edge of the water with a beautiful view of the bay.

Upon arriving at Cobscook I started off on a hike but was soon caught in a heavy rain storm. I took shelter in toilet house to wait it out. But checking the weather app, it was not going to let up soon. So after pondering my 2 choices (stay or run), I made a run for it back to the van. I didn’t get too drenched, but it turned out to be a “rainout” stay spent mostly in the van.

The next morning I headed to my ultimate “for no particular reason” point of this trip, Madawaska Maine, at the Canadian border, which is purported to be the furthest Northeast town of the United States.

Into NY State to Burlington VT

July 19, 2021May 27, 2021 by Steve

I’m checking in this morning from Nomad Coffee in Burlington VT. I last posted from a Kentucky Truck stop where I had overnighted just south of Cincinnati. From Kentucky, I next traversed Ohio in a NE diagonal route toward Erie PA, cutting across the sliver of Eastern Pennsylvania that abuts Lake Erie, then up into …

Sherman TX to Hot Springs AR

July 19, 2021May 22, 2021 by Steve

Yesterday I departed Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose TX and headed up to Sherman TX to visit my Mom and brother. This morning it was time to get out of Texas and let the journey really begin!

I headed up Hwy 75 through Durant OK, then cut east on 43. It was pastoral two-lane roads the rest of the day. Beautiful rural countryside all the way.

I stopped for BBQ lunch at the Chopping Block in Mena Arkansas, then continued to a free public land campground I found on one of my apps on Lake Ouachita in Arkansas. I thought I might be able to break out the paddleboard there for a nice evening paddle.

Austin TX to Dinosaur Valley State Park

July 19, 2021May 20, 2021 by Steve

My vanlife journey has started. Almost a year and a half after I sold my property management business. Covid kind a messed things up.

Building the jeep Camper kept me busy during 2020 Covid and I enjoyed that form of travel but now I have something I can truly live in and go all over the country doing the “old guy on sabbatical” thing. Try to find myself, find a new purpose in life, and all that.

I left out of Austin today, and came up to Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glen Rose TX. I went for a long hike this evening and this place is fantastic. A kid’s paradise. But also super awesome for adults who love nature.