Finally…On the Road!

After years of planning and preparations, I finally hit the road on the morning of April 15, 2024. I left New Hampshire on my way to Asheville, North Carolina. Before setting out on this journey, I set a few rules for myself when it comes to driving: no night driving and no more than six hours of seat time per day. So that means that my trip to North Carolina is going to be broken up into three days on the road and two nights stopping.

I specifically purchased a Harvest Hosts membership for these nights on the road when I am in transit to a location. Harvest Hosts is a network of locations like farms, wineries, golf courses, and museums that allow RVers to dry camp (no hookups) overnight in some of their unused space. A Harvest Hosts membership is $99 and that gives you unlimited access to thousands of locations in their database. All you do is request a stay with a place that fits your travel needs and that is it. You don’t pay the hosts, but you are asked to do some business with them: buy a bottle of wine, some produce, or eat in their restaurant. The locations are a lot more scenic and private than a Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lot.

Day 1: After a 363 mile drive day from New Hampshire, I stayed at a Harvest Hosts location in Sugarloaf, PA which was right off my route of I-81 through Pennsylvania. The location was a golf course called Valley Country Club and they had me park in a very private location up by the pickleball courts. I had great views of the course and sunset from my campsite.

Day 2: On the second day of my trip down south to Asheville, I drove 311 miles down I-81 from Pennsylvania to Fairfield, VA. This night I was staying at another Harvest Hosts location, Ridge Valley Alpaca farm. This beautiful farm is nestled in the rolling hills and farmland of central Virginia. They raise dozens of alpacas for their prized wool and upon my arrival I got to meet the animals and hand feed them. I visited their gift shop where they sell items made with the wool of their alpacas and got myself some new gloves! I camped right next to the alpaca barn where the expecting mom’s and the one baby alpaca are housed. Just a beautiful setting and awesome experience.