By Brogan Hennesy
During these difficult times, we have all found ways to make due with the situation, and used various coping methods. Some have a newfound enjoyment for walking, while others start cooking, reading, or a new hobby.
For the Pride Family, their 30-day trip in an RV gave them light after a long darkness.
The trip initially took form in July, when the Prides, like many families, felt like they needed a change of scenery from daily pandemic life.
“Midyear, as the reality really began to settle in that it wasn’t a short phase and 2020 was going to look a LOT different, it started to sink in that maybe we should step back and look at things in a new way rather than feeling like we were all just going to survive,” said Renee Pride, who traveled around 7,000 miles in 13 states with her husband Kenneth and daughter Bristol.
After Renee pitched her idea of purchasing a motorhome, and with Ken’s undying approval, the family started searching for an RV. About a month later, the purchase was official. On August 14, the Prides had an RV.
Throughout the trip, the Prides visited a wide variety of places in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota. They visited mountains, canyons, and every National park in between.
With a loose plan constructed, the Prides knew the places they couldn’t miss visiting.
“Ken had a list in his mind of the highlights he knew he wanted us to cover – Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands, and others,” said Renee. “We definitely did not have a daily route or even specifics on the roads we would take. That’s part of the exploration!”
With Ken and Renee having the benefit of taking work with them, The Prides used their exploration as a form of education. With Bristol attending remote schooling, learning new things was a daily goal.
Renee said, “School days were usually over with live meetings by 1 PM, and then it was time to soak up the day.”
Some daily attractions the Prides normally encountered were museums, hiking trails, historical landmarks, and learning about the town they were in that day.
The Prides found it important to take some of the education process into their own hands because they feel that travel is much more than just visiting an area.
“To us, travel is all about freedom, exploration, adventure, and the cultivation of an ever curious mind.” said Renee. “Ken was a young traveler, visiting 49 states by age 29, and the couple wanted Bristol to be educated on the different cultures of The United States.”
Whether the learning was a small fact, such as knowing the pupils of Mount Rushmore are 20 inches long, to studying the terrain of Yellowstone park, The Prides were always eager to learn.
Some say their definition of travel is to take a trip and go on a journey. The Prides take an extra step in their definition by adding that a journey is both physical and mental.
For Renee, Ken, and Bristol, the trip caused a change in perspective. “This particular trip was an unplanned underlying tone of minimalism and I am finding it quite refreshing,” said Renee. “This particular trip was an unplanned underlying tone of minimalism and I am finding it quite refreshing.”
The Prides learned about themselves on the trip as well. The three learned that what you give your attention to in life is a choice. “There are still a wealth of things and people to celebrate in your day,” said Renee. “You’ll find them when you look. They are all around us.”
After a return home, the Prides are finding ways to carry out the self-discoveries they found on the road and integrate them into their stationary lives. To find the good in life, and to live fully in the moment. “ It’s amazing what we can get done when we don’t have a lot of time to spend,” said Pride. “Now to just keep that lesson top of mind now that I’m back home.”
Ken, Bristol, and Renee are already planning future trips throughout the year, but might cut back on the extensive mileage.
The Pride family encourages everyone to make the discoveries and journeys they had.
“We want to encourage everyone to explore in whatever way you find possible,” said Renee. “It might be a midday break at a park you’ve driven by 100 times and never visited. Maybe a weekend trip to a nearby place you’ve always wanted to know more about. Whatever it might be for you, may you always choose to make the effort to stay curious.”
