In reading a lot of blogs by RV full-timers, it seems a standard practice to look at the year just finished in some fashion or another. I thought it would be fun look back and see what I did in 2016 as far as travel and campsites and mileage.
Where did I go?
Easiest one first, a map showing the states where I camped in 2016. Amber states means I spent 1-2 nights (mostly just passing through from Quebec to Seattle), while green means I spent a *lot* of time hanging out there. From June through the end of the year, I didn’t get out of the green states.
How many places?
- 12 campgrounds getting from Quebec to Seattle
- 12 campgrounds while I was in/around Seattle finishing up the job
- 25 different campsites from the end of August until end of the year
That’s 49 different places that I figured out how to set up camp, find power and water, and survive the night. It definitely got easier after the first few weeks but showing up at a new campsite is always an adventure. Sometimes it’s great, sometimes not so much.
How much money?
Most of the time I stayed in state parks, with costs somewhat lower than RV parks and definitely higher than boondocking or free camping. My average monthly cost was $958, with a daily average of about $31/night.
This first year, I chose to stay in parks rather than go off-grid and far from the madding crowds because I was new to this RV stuff and figured I would learn a lot by meeting other people and seeing their rigs and equipment. In 2017, I hope to do boondocking on BLM land and other free spots and save a bit on campsite fees. I also spent a lot staying in Santa Cruz the month of December (the priciest parks in my year, with an average cost of $53/night), choosing to splurge a bit so that I could see friends and have a good holiday season. Totally worth the extra money.
Don’t ask me about gas cost. I have no idea. Well, I have it all in a spreadsheet, but I’m not going to pull it out and look at it because I might just die of shock.
How many miles?
The Alto traveled 8070 miles in 2016:
- 3450 miles from Quebec to Seattle
- 1520 miles banging around Seattle while finishing up the job
- 3100 miles from end August till end of year
When I left for Quebec in May, the Subie had about 10,000 miles on it after one year of ownership. It ended the year at 25,000 miles, so I racked up about 15,000 miles on the car this year:
- 3500 miles from Seattle to Quebec
- 8070 of towing the Alto
- 3430 miles of driving around, everything from commuting to Seattle from campgrounds to driving down Titus Canyon (a trip my car and I will remember for a looong time!)
No wonder my baby needed a new set of tires this month!
For fun, you can check out the 2016 Travel Log page, where I’ve also linked blog posts to locations.
My favorite campsites?
In no particular order, here are my favorite campgrounds in 2016:
- McLain State Park, Michigan (Keweenaw Peninsula FTW)
- Kalaloch, Olympic Peninsula, WA (beaches and light)
- Fishing Bridge RV Park, Yellowstone (because, well, Yellowstone)
- Bullards Beach State Park, Bandon, Oregon (endless beaches and agate hunting)
- Stewart NRA, Oregon (big sites, half empty, nice showers, Crater Lake)
- Jedediah Smith Redwoods, Crescent City, CA (redwoods near beaches)
- New Brighton State Park, Aptos, CA (my hometown beach)
- Furnace Creek, Death Valley, CA (but only in cool weather)
Honorary award for best bathroom/shower:
Coquille River RV Park, Bandon, OR. Honestly the nicest showers ever, and heated floors!
Now it’s on to 2017 and more adventures for Bella, The Breeze, and me!
Great website, so much good info! Noticed, though, that the link for Additions and Subtractions under your 6 month Alto review isn’t working, and I’m very curious to know what you would change. Is that link still available?
Hi, and thanks for catching the broken links! I changed my website from .me to .com last year and a few stubborn links are still going to the .me URL. I have fixed it and the links to both pages should work now.
I’m coming up on the two year mark for my Alto, so I am working on a post where I’ll go into detail on what has changed since pickup (less on the stuff already covered, more on what’s new lately). Look for that May 2 (my Alto-versary!)
Hi Annie, love to read about your adventures!! Can you tell me if you Outback is a 2.5 or 3.6? We have the 2.5 and I am wondering if we can pull an Alto with it. Thanks. Liette
Hi, Liette – I have the 6-cylinder Subaru Outback. There are people who tow Altos with a 4-cylinder version, you can search for that information and discussions in the Altoiste Facebook group, there is a long series of threads on it.
Thank you, i just joined the group and i look forward to reading about it. I read all your stories about you past year, love it 🙂
Awesome recap. I live vicariously through you, Bella and The Breeze. Hope to see you along the journey in 2017.
My wife and I both enjoy your blog. I am green with envy over your photos. We pick up ‘Lucy’ think ‘The Long, Long Trailer’ movie from 1953 in May from Safari Alto. Best wishes.
Annie, This is wonderful! Thank you! We would love to show you around the 4 Corners – S/W Utah is amazing, and our corner of Colorado is very nice too.
Thanks, Joan! Not sure when I will get there, but I will get everywhere eventually!
most helpful–thanks, Annie!
Thanks for the recap. You have definitely made a life change! Hoping for more good adventures for you as I will enjoy living them with you through your blog. Have a great 2017, Sis!!
Great blog! Wishing you happy trails in 2017!