🚐 On the Road to Alabama
After a peaceful night in Port St. Joe, I hit the road for Alabama. The plan was simple: get to Gulfport, spend two nights, and officially check another state off my 50 at 60 list. But like most of this journey, what happened between the lines was where the real story lived.
I passed through places I’d only seen on maps, Destin, Panama City Beach, Pensacola … and finally crossed the state line. The road was long, warm, and lined with colorful stilt houses that looked like pastel postcards. And yes, traffic was part of the experience.
🧠 Thoughts from the Driver’s Seat
This leg made me think. A lot.
Driving a Class C RV with a cat in tow is not exactly the ideal setup for exploring small towns. I’ve realized if I really want to scout future home base, say North Carolina or Tennessee, I’ll need to do it differently. Maybe a small SUV and B&Bs. Maybe even train travel.
This RV works beautifully for quiet reflection and scenic stretches. But when it comes to deep dives into town squares and offbeat corners? I’ve got some rethinking to do.
🐾 Penny Settles In (and Steals the Show)
Penny continues to be an incredible co-pilot.
She’s gone from hiding under pillows to full-on sunset watcher. Seriously. I caught her perched on the dash, intently watching the golden light fade over the campground like she was meditating.
She’s adjusted faster this time—wandering the space, checking out the windows, occasionally popping out to see what I’m cooking (or burning). And she’s right there when I wake up, calm and quiet, keeping the rhythm with me.
🛠 RV Realities: Power, Cooking & Lists
The campground was solid … friendly people, helpful staff … but I ran into my first real technical hiccup. When I plugged in the RV, the surge protector flagged a wiring issue. After a few calls and tools, the park staff figured it out. Loose neutral. Problem solved.
I’m slowly building my own checklist:
- Awning
- Cat
- Power
- Water
- Sewer
- Tire chocks
- Levelers
…and now, Don’t forget the charcoal grill.
Tonight’s dinner was corn and burgers cooked on my little propane setup. It worked. Barely. Note to self: pick up a backup charcoal grill before Mississippi.
👋 The Solo Traveler Perspective
Solo RV travel is… different.
Everyone at this campground seemed to be part of a family, a couple, or a group. I stuck out a bit – a middle-aged guy filming with a camera, talking to himself, with a cat in tow.
And I felt it.
Still, I had a great chat with a woman in the laundry room. She and her husband started RVing at 73 and love every minute. People like that make these places better.
I’ve learned that solo doesn’t mean lonely. But I’d like to cross paths with more people doing this kind of travel alone. If I were out longer, I’d probably join a few RV groups or meetups.
📸 Sunset, Silence & the Cat by My Side
I ended the evening with another quiet walk around the campground. The light was warm, golden, and soft, perfect for photography. Penny watched the whole thing from the window, fixated on the shifting colors like she knew something magical was happening.
Later, I caught her curled up under a pillow again, completely at peace.
And me? I sat outside with a plate of corn, a burger, and the simple realization that I like this version of the road. Slower. Softer. Filled with moments that would’ve slipped past if I hadn’t stopped to notice them.
🌄 Looking Ahead
Next up: Mississippi. I’ll be staying near Ocean Springs, and I hope I can squeeze in a visit to New Hope, Alabama before I cross the line.
I don’t know how much more I’ll be able to explore, but I do know this … every state, every stop, every quiet morning with Penny brings something new to appreciate.
And for now, that’s more than enough.
