Jason Betzing
Some RVers enjoy exploring famous film locations. Here, we went to the schoolhouse from Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, "The Birds" in Bodega, CA.
Story and Photos by Jason Betzing
We all enjoy hobbies and activities of some form. Most of the pastimes that my wife and I pursued when we were homeowners required a lot of "stuff." So, once we sold our home to become full-time RVers, we still had a desire to continue some of them. But we also discovered exciting new ones by being open to new experiences and embracing a sense of adventure.
Hobbies and activities are an important part of life for balance. Research shows that those who have a good work/life balance and routinely enjoy hobbies have healthier lives, less stress, and even get better sleep.
My wife's hobby is crafting, which is creatively diverse. She decided her stained glass and lamp hobbies wouldn't work in our RV and when she decided to bring her passion on the road, she only brought the basic essentials. This includes a versatile Juki sewing machine, Cricut, crochet and quilting supplies, and some paper crafting materials. When it comes to her finished projects, there's no shortage of family or friends who are willing to accept her wonderful creations. Our grandkids are always excited to receive packages with something handmade from their grandmother. She doesn't do it for money, it's all about the process and challenge.
Jason Betzing
Hiking is a well-suited hobby for the RV lifestyle due to visiting such diverse landscapes.
Finding the Space
If you have the ideal storage space, travelling in an RV with everything you need for a hobby is pretty simple. But it might require some prioritizing. My hobbies are pretty diverse and fortunately require little equipment.
Bringing everything along requires some practical thinking and it's all about prioritizing what we enjoy the most. A lot of the items we use for our hobbies are portable, foldable and, if possible, can be used for many purposes.
My main pastime is digital photography, which requires only a DSLR camera and a laptop, and I have since purchased a GoPro and a small drone. All of this equipment fits conveniently in an easily storable backpack. Another hobby that I enjoy on the road is collecting bourbon. To accommodate the bottles in our fifthwheel, I carved out small designated storage space. I also enjoy writing, and cooking has recently become a passion (as I have enrolled in some online classes), and both still don’t take up a lot of space.
Jason Betzing
Taking advantage of renting gear. The company we went diving with once supplied all necessary rental equipment.
For some, RVing is their hobby. I see folks all the time who get a lot of pleasure from maintaining and keeping their RV's in pristine condition while adding new gadgets and doing modifications. I must admit there's a certain gratification from knowing your trailer or motorhome is well-maintained.
Expand Your Sense of Adventure
While you don't need a lot of equipment for every hobby, many require nothing more than a sense of adventure, which is perfect for RVers. Roller coaster enthusiasts travel thousands of kilometres just to put another notch on their belt after running the latest and thrilling ride; avid anglers make a priority to charter a fishing boat at every destination, and birders plan trips to experience annual bird migrations – why not plan a route to see them all?
Renting equipment on location is a brilliant idea if your pastimes include outdoor activities. For starters, it’s especially convenient if space is an issue, and for many RVers it is.
From skiing and fishing to kayaking and paddleboarding, when a destination is popular for an activity you can bet there’ll be rentals available – even angling guides supply tackle and gear. This is a great option since someone else maintains the equipment, manages the fuel and insurance, while at the same time you’re supporting local businesses. It’s also a good idea to rent equipment if you’re trying out a new activity as there is no large investment required, and not a lot of money will be wasted if you don’t enjoy it.
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Jason Betzing
Landscape photography and bird birdwatching are also popular hobbies for many RVers.
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Jason Betzing
Landscape photography and bird birdwatching are also popular hobbies for many RVers.
Take your Hobby a Step Further
Think about what it is that you do frequently and how you could enjoy it more. For instance, if you frequently dine out, maybe inquire about writing restaurant reviews of the places you've been to, or perhaps set out to find the best burger you've ever had and share the results through an online blog. If you enjoy cooking, prepare meals in the region you’re visiting based on local ingredients and cuisine.
Enjoy Convenient Hobbies
I gave up oil painting as wet paintings bouncing around in the trailer while traveling was not RV-friendly. But how do you maintain that creative craving? After some thought, I realized I enjoyed composing my reference photos for the paintings I was doing. Now, photography gives me as much joy as painting did, but with much less equipment.
Monetizing
It seems a lot of people have the desire to make money from everything they do in the RV space. But beware; as soon as you monetize your hobby, it just might become a ‘job’ with deadlines, stress, and added responsibility you may not want while travelling.
Jason Betzing
My wife optimized her rolling craft room with convenient storage and minimal supplies.
Explore your Possibilities through Travel
You can run into obstacles trying to enjoy a hobby on the road. But, there are also exciting possibilities. The RV experience is the perfect way to enjoy your favourite activities, and you can go practically anywhere to pursue them.
This means experiencing different cultures, foods, and landscapes. For instance, if you appreciate architecture, plan a trip south to see the infamous Antebellum Mansions or travel to see Frank Lloyd Wright's amazing designs. Or, if you enjoy wine and are curious about different regional vintages, you won’t regret touring local wine trails and visiting food and drink festivals.
Remember, you’re just a Google Map away from experiencing a variety of sights and attractions many only dream about. Regardless of your hobbies and/or outdoor pastimes, it’s important to keep enjoying them, and taking them on the road will just make them that much more exciting and interesting.