Wow. If you’d told me five years ago all that would happen between the day I picked up my Alto (May 2, 2016) till now, I wouldn’t have believed you. I honestly didn’t know what I was getting into back then, and I didn’t have many expectations of how things would go. I just knew I was going to live in a little trailer and drive around a lot.
In the Beginning…
This photo was taken about a minute after my very first tow ever (like in my whole life!), where I drove from pickup at Safari Condo to my very first campground in Levis, Quebec, Canada. (And I’m writing this post at another KOA, in Virginia. I don’t stay at them much, but in a pinch, they do nicely.)
Adventures on a Grand Scale…
From California to Nova Scotia, Breeze and I got around a lot in the last five years, racking up 48,700 miles as a tow vehicle + trailer. I had Bella, my Subaru Outback for the first four years, and she was a faithful companion.
It was hard to replace Bella, but my Honda Ridgeline, Luna, has done a stellar job of hauling me, Breeze, and all my stuff, for the last year. The higher tow capacity and bigger storage space of the Ridgeline has been a net positive change in my vagabond life (so much more room!).
I’ve had the opportunity to explore parts of the US that had only been places on a map before. Who knew that after a lifetime of avoiding deserts, both high and low, I’d fall in love with southern New Mexico and with Death Valley?
I’ve been surprised how beautiful the middle of the country is at ground level. I’d flown over the midwest and plains states dozens of times in the last 40 years, but I never really understood their attraction until I spent time on the back roads, going through small towns and farmland, always with that big open view where I could see miles of land and sky whichever direction I looked.
Breeeze is an old hand at ferries now. She’s been over the water several times: Galveston, TX, the Outer Banks, New Brunswick/Nova Scotia, and on and off Vancouver Island.
We’ve still got lots of places to see, aiming for the nexus of Colorado, Utah, and northern Arizona later this year. And there’s so much of the Pacific Northwest I haven’t seen yet, too. I am not even close to running out of places I want to visit.
Weathering the Years…
The Alto is built as a three-season camper, but on the rare occasions I’ve been caught in seriously cold weather (thanks, Denver, for two of the three times I’ve been snowed on), I’ve been warm and cozy, thanks to the propane option on the Truma heater. And some pipe insulation underneath.
On the other hand, getting wicked hot in Casper, Wyoming wasn’t the most comfortable situation but I made the best of it with a variety of awnings, aluminet coverings, and the wonderful MagneShade for that big front window. Oh, and a matinee in town, where the air-conditioning was frosty, and I was quite fine with that.
Overall, for a trailer where I was clearly warned it wasn’t built for full-timing, the Alto has been just fine for me. I’m not huge on creature comforts or large living spaces, so I’ve been happy with my choice. And I think I’m one of the few full-timers that hasn’t traded up or down since I started.
Always a Walmart…
One of the best pieces of advice I got was from the person who also told me to buy an Alto. I was a bit worried about finding places to pick up what I might need as I started my vagabond adventure. My friend said something like “You’re going to think you’re in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nature, but in America, you’re never that far from a Walmart. Or a Target. Or both.” She was right about that, and she was right about the Alto. (Thanks, Mary, for both bits of advice.)
I’ve gone from a total of two visits to a Walmart *ever* before picking up my Alto to having Walmart be my go-to grocery store and clothing supplier (bargain racks are great). Turns out Walmarts are mostly one of two layouts: groceries on the left or on the right. And I’ve been in so many now that I can do my grocery shopping in either store layout in under 15 minutes, which came in pretty handy when traveling in 2020.
Whether Solo or in a Group…
I’ve camped with friends more times than I can count, from Tennessee to British Columbia, and Quebec to California. My Alto family has taught me so much, about the trailer, about camping, and and about making the most of the times and places where we gather.
When I’m on my own, I enjoy the silence, the stars, and the open road calling my name.
Over the last five years, I’ve made camp 400 times, in 41 US states and 5 Canadian provinces. I’ve walked through redwoods and over sand dunes, dipped my hand in the trickle that is the beginning of the mighty Mississippi River, and felt the absolute stillness of a desert night. I’ve survived a blown trailer tire and an accident, a broken hand, and a pandemic. I’ve learned that change is inevitable and that changing reservations is too. Plans come and go, weather blows through, and I’m still out here, somewhere on the road. I’m doing just fine.
Life is short and the older you get, the more you feel it. Indeed, the shorter it is. People lose their capacity to walk, run, travel, think, and experience life. I realize how important it is to use the time I have.
Viggo Mortensen
I am thinking of buying the same Alto as you, that’s how I found your blog 😉
It helps a lot
I was just wondering about the maintenance, did you or would you write a section about the wear and tear and what had to be fixed over the years?
Thanks a lot for sharing your experience, I love it
-G-
Hi, Gigi, that’s a really good suggestion for a future post, so I’ve put it on my list. It will take me a while to remember all the work I’ve done or had done by others. Short answer is the Alto has held up well over five years of constant use. Safari Condo said before I bought it that they don’t intend for them to be lived in full-time, but I did it anyways 🙂 Some things wear out, there is wear and tear, but very little has flat-out broken in all that time. Keep a lookout for a future post answering your suggestion!
Five years with the Alto. WOW! I’ve been researching RV’s for over a year. The Alto is on our list. Just got back from renting an R1723 from Durango CO and we loved it. I have to ask, is the trailer reliable and what about serving it? The closest dealer is in London Ontario.
I’ve had good luck with trailer services in 4 different states so far. I use google to locate places and read the reviews then either call or visit them to get a feel for the place and the mechanics. I’ve only been back to Safari Condo once, to get some warranty items taken care of at the two year point. Many owners find local shops to do standard stuff like wheel bearings and yearly maintenance.
Congrats for your 5 years on the road! So many adventures and memories with your Breeze! You are an inspiration for all of us who just want to discover and experience life to the fullest. Hope to meet again once the borders are opened. Take care Annie.
Thank you, Suzanne and Jean-Noel! Let’s hope the borders open up, and we can indeed meet again. Maybe in Arizona, maybe somewhere else?!
What a lovely post. It’s making me reconsider what I’m doing here inside these sticks and bricks. You’re so inspiring, as are the views.
Ah, thank you, Karen! You inspire me with your writing, it is so interesting to see the life of a writer in snippets and steps forward.
This is just a wonderful post. And your photos are supurb! I want to do what you’re doing! Though I know it’s not all romantic and there are hard times too, but you can tell from this how much you love it! Don’t forget to come visit Michigan some day!
I’m coming, I’m coming, this summer! Indiana Dunes, Holland, Sleeping Bear, and then the UP! Messenger me, maybe we can figure out a meetup 🙂
Five years already?! Hard to believe. When you started out, we were in the middle of our year and a half wait for our Alto. It was wonderful to read your posts during our wait and beyond. As always beautifully written and illustrated and so inspiring. Thank you fir taking the time to share your adventures with us.
Thank, you, Donna and Wayne. It’s been fun (mostly!) and I certainly have enjoyed our few meetups. May we have more in the future, post-pandemic and closed borders.
Wonderful summary of your five years! It was such a pleasure meeting you at Keji about this time of year. Keep on trucking as they say, but in your case, Alto-ing!
You too, hope there is some camping in your summer despite the challenging conditions of 2021.
Happy Altoversary! And thank you for sharing your journeys with us.
Thank you for sharing and fostering a desire for travel and adventure. Newbie Alto owners.
Oh, the places you’ll go in your new Alto! Have great adventures!
One of my favorite blogs about life on the road. I’m so glad you share your experiences and hope to meet you in person some day. Congratulations on five years. Here’s to many more. Safe travels!!
Wow, thanks for the compliment, you made my week <3 Someday, we must meet. It might be at a Pilot in the middle of the country, and we'll suddenly look over and 'hey, wait a minute..." (cue that sappy music). We'll just have to see! Safe travels, I'm enjoying your CA series, since I grew up there and you're hitting most of my favorite places.
Happy Aktoversary Annie!!
What a great adventure these 5 years have been. Thank you for making us live moments
Congratulations on 5 years. Love following this blog. This is a great entry as are all of them. I enjoy your works and photographs.
As an fellow F1743 alto owner, wynnworlds has been invaluable on what to get, where to go, and how to be a vagabond in this great trailer. I think about it but am not ready yet.
Thanks, Pat, I’m so happy my website has been helpful for your Alto ownership. And don’t worry about the vagabond timing, you’ll know when/if it’s the time to do it. For now, enjoy the trips you take and the sights you see.
“That day, for no particular reason, I decided to go for a little run. So I ran to the end of the road. And when I got there, I thought maybe I’d run to the end of town. And when I got there, I thought maybe I’d just run across Greenbow County. And I figured, since I run this far, maybe I’d just run across the great state of Alabama. And that’s what I did. I ran clear across Alabama. For no particular reason I just kept on going. I ran clear to the ocean. And when I got there, I figured, since I’d gone this far, I might as well turn around, just keep on going. When I got to another ocean, I figured, since I’d gone this far, I might as well just turn back, keep right on going.” – Forrest
Keep going Annie! Love the stories you tell. Toni and I hope to run into you again out on the road!
And we thank you for sharing it all with us. Yes, life can change quickly so we must try to get out and experience it. These days it’s watching the seasons morph from snow to slush to blooming lilacs (and being chased by mosquitos as enthusiastic about warm weather as am I). I am inspired by your blogs, your travels and your photography. Thank you.
Thank you, Linda! I’m so happy to hear my website inspires you, that’s the highest compliment to me.
I calculate that you average setting up every 4 1/2 days and drive about 122 miles between sites.
How close is this to your typical pattern? It seems like you may be avoiding the pitfall of driving too much.
Hi, Allan! It averages out that way, despite me doing longer (more stupid distance) drives and some 1-2 nighters. I do try now to drive less than 200 in a move and stay longer, sliding from 2-3 nights to 4-5 when I can. That gives me more time to enjoy the places I’m staying and explore what’s there, from monuments to museums to hiking trails and kayak spots.
If you had known what all you would experience in the 5 years since your started your Alto adventures I bet you would have taken a deep breath and started out. Looking back over my last 5 years all I can say is – who would have “thunk it”. Hope to see you one of these days Anne – somewhere – sometime.
I think you’re right, Mary, I still would have done it. I can’t think where else I’d rather have been the last five years (certainly not working in Seattle!).
great post, Annie! Keep on trucking!
Diane- fellow alto owner in the Brandywine Vally of Pa.
And weren’t we all lucky that you got your Alto and wrote about your adventures and guided the rest of us.
Love your stories Annie. Can hardly wait until the borders open.