After years of running the highways in a big rig and logging more than two million miles across America, it finally happened — our first real trial camping trip in the RV.
This wasn’t just another stop along the road. This was the beginning of something new.
We rolled into Kickapoo State Recreation Area with our Entegra Odyssey 31FF, excited, nervous, and honestly wondering what we had gotten ourselves into.
Truck driving teaches you how to live on the road. RV life teaches you how to slow down and enjoy it.
And Kickapoo was the perfect place to begin.
The campground was peaceful, with tall trees swaying in the breeze and campers settling in for quiet evenings around their campfires. After the noise and constant movement of life on the interstate, hearing birds instead of traffic felt almost strange at first.
But it didn’t take long before we started settling into the rhythm of RV life.
Of course, no first trip comes without a few learning experiences.
We checked hookups three times. We figured out the water system one step at a time. We double-checked leveling. We learned where everything was hidden inside the coach. And yes… there may have been a few moments of standing around saying, “Now how does THIS work again?”
That’s all part of the adventure.
One of the best moments of the trip was simply sitting outside in a lawn chair as the sun started going down over the campground. No delivery appointment. No dispatch calls. No pressure to keep rolling another 500 miles.
Just peace.
That moment really made it sink in:
BigRigTravels 2.0 is officially underway.
We also had the opportunity to test some of the mobile streaming setup for future LIVE broadcasts. From internet connectivity to campground setup logistics, this trip helped us learn what works — and what still needs improvement before we hit the road full-time exploring America’s backroads and small towns.
Kickapoo may have only been a short trial run, but it represented something much bigger.
A new chapter.
A slower pace.
And a chance to finally enjoy the journey instead of racing through it.
We’re excited for what’s ahead and grateful to everyone riding along with us as part of the Road Crew.
This is only the beginning.
Backroads. Small Towns. LIVE Adventures.
— BigRigSteve / BigRigTravels 2.0
7 Comments
Nicely done Steve thanks for sharing the experience and transition of BRT 2.0
Howdy steve the camper van looks amazing it was sad to see the blue comet go and the final journey through west VA i watched every bit including the trips from CA to oregan and back the blue comet deserved the last big run out west it did you & us road crew proud the truck never missed a beat and then seeing you pull up back at the gary yard for last time i had tears flowing we are all proud of you steve
Howdy steve hope one day you can get the blue comet back once it retires from service and get it back at BRT Head Office build a show room for it along with the all merchandise
Woo hoo nice synopsis of the trial run! Personally I was attracted to BRT for the trucks but hey once I got to know you this will be a nice transition 👍
Steve had the trucking YouTube pretty much to himself till recently.
The YouTube Nomad market is pretty saturated with skilled content creators.
I do like the change from drama to no drama.
better for the blood pressure all the way around.
I hope the gas guzzling Class C works out.
and Steve learns all the Nomad tricks for free camping. only the top dogs can afford the campgrounds. people get rid of their big rvs all the time and go small with a class B or squeeze into a big SUV. but on second thought Steve already has a gas friendly pickup. he could buy a pickup camper real easily. ITS BRAD up in Chattanooga sells a ton of them. Sunshine State Nick is the number 2 seller of Class Bs in America.
Steve,you did the right trip to get started on your journeys.Please make sure and bring medallions because you’ll someday come to my town.I started following your travels back in July 2022 and miss out in meeting you.God Bless and safe travels.
Steve, we have a front cover like yours. Ours have magnets in the side corners that help the cover stick to the vehicle. Those magnets can collect granules of dirt/metal crumbs that can scratch paint. Not sure if yours has the same, but if it does it is good to check the inside of the cover by the magnets (& clean) before seating the cover.
Image of your rig at the campsite is fabulous!