With just under four hours of driving ahead, we figured there was no need to rush. The plan was simple: leave by noon, take our time, and still arrive with daylight to spare for setup. Sounds easy, right?
Well, travel days have their own opinions.
Before we could even think about hitting the road, we had a to-do list: fuel, propane, food, and of course, a couple of pit stops. We’ve been using Love’s more often lately—great fuel discounts and lots of food options, which is a big plus when you’re rolling with Smokey. The only downside? Time.
Positioning the rig at the right pump, filling the tank, moving over to the propane station, waiting for staff… even with Beth grabbing food while I handled fuel, it all took nearly an hour. That’s where the first half of our “relaxed” travel day disappeared.
The second half wasn’t much better. Between construction zones and a slow-moving backup (wreck or who knows what), we crept along the interstate, watching our daylight slip away. Suddenly, that noon departure didn’t feel so generous.
Still—we made it. Beat the sunset and got everything set up in time. Barely.
This day also marked a big first: Beth took the wheel of Smokey! I told her, “Just like a car.” And honestly? She did great. Smooth, steady, and confident.
Note to self: next travel day might need more pack and go, less leisurely
