Journey Begins: From Dream to Road Trip Reality

Paws

dog baskets on the dash for when they want to watch the road
solid dog kennel under the table (in theory for Auggie, but mostly to lock Casey up if needed)
Extra dog bed space on the bedroom end table for when Auggie wants her space.
A specific place for dog dishes
RV travel-safe water dish (this is amazing and nearly spill-proof)
additional cubby space for dogs if needed
extra bags of dog food
special tick meds for the US
had to meet the new regulations for taking dogs across the border (email me or comment if you need to know)

Breathe

There is a bypass valve on the hot water tank that if opened bypasses the water heater
can’t use a nail gun on aluminum beams
leaks happen – especially when you don’t close the windows
label the screws when you take them out and put them somewhere you can find them later
a 1×2 cross beam will not hold your weight as you paint
Seeing the transformation in the RV as we did the renovations
Realizing we are too busy and too tired to build a schoolie in two months
Realizing we are too busy and too tired to renovate the RV
The carpet in the front – if you know you know

Pay it forward

If you are renovating a space – trust your gut
If you need a great mechanic check out Rippers Repair
We are grateful to everyone who contributed sweat, materials and ideas to getting us going
A few tips we got
- Get a package policy on the RV
- Get CAA for RV’s
- take a few practice trips to see what you forgot
- Costco gas opens way earlier than Costco and is cheaper than most
- Read all the blogs and follow other RVers on socials – the tips are lifesaving

Hey there, fellow wanderlusters!

Welcome to the inaugural post of our adventure blog! We’re Tracy and John, and we’re so excited to share our journey with you as we take the leap from our comfy suburban life in Saskatoon to a full-time road trip down to the deep south and back up across the top of Canada. Buckle up, because this is going to be one incredible ride!

The Dream Takes Shape

The seeds of this dream were planted about six years ago when we decided to opt into a program offered by my employer where they defer a portion of your salary for several years and give it back to you at the end along with a year off. We dreamt of travel and considered so many options, but in the end could not imagine leaving our furry friends behind. Fast forward to now, and we’re about to turn that dream into reality. Our trusty companions on this journey will be our three adorable chihuahuas: August, Finnegan, and Casey. Yes, our fur babies are as excited as we are!

Finding the Perfect Class A Motorhome

The first step in our adventure was to find our home on wheels. If you were along for the ride, you will remember that for a long time we were set on converting a school bus for our adventure. While the custom options were appealing, the work wasn’t feasible for our life and we shifted to looking at motorhomes. After extensive research, a few visits to dealerships, and a few road trips to see used rigs, we settled on a beautiful class-A motorhome that we found in Star City. This baby is a 1998 Forester Ravel XL. It’s got the charm of a luxury apartment, the practicality of a Swiss army knife, and just enough space for John to pack some instruments. It’s perfect!It’s a beautiful rig with plenty of space, which is crucial for us and our three little travel buddies.

We spent weeks exploring various models, weighing the pros and cons, and trying to imagine ourselves living in each one. The Raven XL stood out because of its spacious living area, big beautiful front windows, a decent-sized bedroom and bathroom, but most importantly, plenty of storage that will allow to bring what we need.

The Renovation Project

Buying the motorhome was just the beginning. We wanted to make it truly ours, so we dove into a renovation project to personalize our new home. Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ve been working on:

Interior Makeover: We started by updating the interior with a fresh coat of paint and new upholstery. We chose a calming palette of cream and greys to give the space a serene, clean vibe. Adding a few touches of personalized decor helped create a cozy, homey feel.
Pet-Friendly Upgrades: With three chihuahuas in tow, we needed to ensure the motorhome was as pet-friendly as possible. We installed a custom-built dog bed in the bedroom and added several more throughout to give them lots of options. We also incorporated a small, easy-to-clean feeding area for their meals.
Functional Enhancements: We upgraded the kitchen with new utensils and an air fryer (maybe not our best decision). We needed several more storage solutions but decided to swing by IKEA as stop one on the trip.
Entertainment Systems: To keep ourselves entertained during downtime, we bought a new TV, signed up for Starlink and added a few board games and puzzles. And yes, we hooked up a google home as well!

Preparing for the Road

With renovations completed, it’s time for the final preparations before hitting the road. We’ve been busy stocking up on travel essentials, planning our routes, and mapping out interesting stops along the way. Our itinerary is flexible because we want to leave room for spontaneous detours and unexpected discoveries.

We’ve also been taking August, Finnegan, and Casey on test trips to get them accustomed to the RV life. They’ve adjusted well, and it’s been adorable watching them explore their new home.

What’s Next?

Our departure day is approaching fast, and we’re both thrilled and slightly terrified. We’ll be sharing our mishaps, triumphs, and the occasional disaster as we hit the road. And of course, expect a lot of photos of our fur babies trying to figure out why their life just got a lot more complicated.

We’re excited to bring you along for the ride—buckle up, and let’s see where this adventure takes us!

Check out the gallery for before and after photos!!!!

Until next time, stay adventurous (or at least entertained)!