On the road, on the go, on the move. It’s no coincidence that Americans have so many ways of describing being on the road.Anyone who’s ever driven a RV westward on a highway knows that it’s more than just driving. And it’s something you keep coming back to.
But even for first-time visitors, the U.S. offers both well-known and lesser-known highlights in the vast, wild West. And what better way to explore than the quintessential American way of traveling: a RV tour through unique landscapes, magnificent scenery, and unforgettable cities.
Traveling Through the Western United States in a Motorhome
Yes, you’re familiar with—almost—every stop on a trip like this through the western United States, even if you’ve never been there. TV, social media, photos from friends. Is it really still worth going there yourself? Just to experience the real thing? When I took my first trip to America 30 years ago, everything was still very exciting. All I knew were the images broadcast on TV. And I wanted to see if they were true. Back then, I drove across the country in a small car with a tent. From west to east. About 10,000 kilometers. And that’s when I got hooked—on the diversity, the contrasts, the natural wonders.
The ups and downs of this country where nothing seems to last forever—where everything is constantly changing and yet remains constant. Where a retiree in shorts and sandals eats breakfast at McDonald’s and tattooed Harley riders greet him cheerfully. And where the cashier always asks, “How are you?” and other employees pack the groceries into bags. Where restrictions and freedom lie so close together. Many years and many trips later, I’m still a fan of the U.S. But these days, I prefer a little more comfort and love to travel by rental car or, as a camping enthusiast, in a RV.
Hot deserts, red rocks, green forests
50 degrees in the nonexistent shade. The air shimmers with heat. After a quick photo stop, we scrap our original plan to spend the night here in Death Valley. So here we are, right in the middle of America’s adventure playground. From Los Angeles, we drove up California 1, past enchanting coves and surfers, with stops at magnificent lookouts and charming little towns. We then end up in Cambria right in the middle of the Labor Day parade. Dogs in Union Jack outfits, seniors with folding chairs by the roadside, beer in coolers beside them, and marching bands from the local high schools.
In the evening, there’s live country music at a small winery. That’s where we meet Henry and March. They’re also traveling in an RV—though their camper looks more like a small home on wheels. “Where are you guys from?” It’s easy to strike up a conversation here. Henry and March sold their house once their kids were grown. Since then, they’ve been living in their RV, staying wherever they like. You want to go to Death Valley? In late summer? They just shake their heads at the idea.
In Yosemite Valley, we share the campground (without facilities—meaning no water, electricity, or restrooms) with just two older gentlemen. Our neighbors, however, spend a few days in the wilderness every year. We make small talk while washing dishes by the stream. The feeling of being in the middle of the wilderness is indescribable. And, of course, it calls for a BBQ over the campfire. The only problem is finding a lighter. But our friendly neighbors step in right away to help and seal our friendship with, “Let’s have a beer.”
Las Vegas and the World of Canyons
At dusk, we finally arrive in Las Vegas. We wander along “The Strip,” taking in the whole of this flashy, loud, yet fascinating city. After so much nature in Yosemite and Sequoia—amidst forests, bears, and lakes—it’s quite a change of pace. After pristine wilderness, here is an artificial cosmos in the middle of the Nevada desert. From here, it seems on the map to be just a stone’s throw away from the world of the canyons.
Natural Landmarks in the Southwest
We think we know this world of the Wild West—from the news, from movies, from country songs. But when you catch your first glimpse of the Grand Canyon or experience the sense of infinity in the desert, you can’t help but feel awe at these wonders of nature. That’s what makes the natural monuments here in the Southwest so special: your senses open up, making room for the play of colors in Bryce Canyon, spouting geysers in Yellowstone, and a constant sense of freedom. At a quiet lake somewhere along Highway 49 toward Fresno, we meet an American family. It’s peaceful here, because it’s not a place described in travel guides.
If you drive through the country with your eyes open, you’ll discover such unspoiled spots even during peak season. You want to know if we had to save up for a long time for this trip. Well, they’ve never even left the country. A Sunday here by the lake—that’s what their vacation would be like. We end up spending the whole afternoon together and are even invited to a barbecue. We pick up steaks from the butcher in the neighboring little village. They’re four fingers thick and about the size of a pizza. Just like everything else in this country, which simply seems to be bigger.
A Treasure Trove of National Parks
The West is a treasure trove of national parks. One natural wonder borders another, and yet they’re all so different. The impressive Mount Whitney or the giant sequoias in Sequoia National Park. The “butte” of Monument Valley or the dunes of White Sands. The man-sized cacti of Joshua Tree. Encountering the forces of nature and these immeasurable expanses pushes reports of natural disasters or questionable gun laws to the back of one’s mind. Some of the issues pushed by the media fade into the background when one experiences the land firsthand, fostering a certain sense of perspective or even understanding.
That a farmer in Texas keeps a gun in his closet because of encounters with a rattlesnake. That a member of an indigenous minority ensures his survival using somewhat dubious methods. Or that marijuana can be legally purchased at coffee shops in Colorado to reduce illegal deals in dark alleys.
RV Trip Back to Los Angeles
As we set out on the long drive along Interstate 40 toward Los Angeles, a sense of calm has settled in. So here, you don’t need to stop at a cannabis shop beforehand to find inner peace. The drive through this steppe-like landscape also has a meditative quality to it. If you’re looking for a little variety from all this nature, you’ll find it in old, patriotic Western towns, on Hollywood Boulevard in L.A., or at Pier 17 in San Francisco. The spirit of the past is evident in dilapidated ghost towns or along Route 66. You can see the local way of life in the graffiti at Venice Beach or at a rodeo in Flagstaff.
But no matter where you go in this country—there’s nothing you can’t find. Everyone will find something to their liking, take a taste of the American way of life home with them, and discover that a lot of it really is just like it is on TV. But a lot of it isn’t. There’s just one thing that’s always missing on a tour through the western United States: time.
If you'd like to explore the U.S. on your own in a motorhome, you'll find great ideas in our motorhome and rental car tours. Or simply write to us using the contact form.
©Susanne Pinn
