Noshing With Grant Sinclair – April 20, 2023

Ira Sternberg: Welcome to Ira's Everything Bagel, where I talk with intriguing people about everything — their passions, pursuits, and points of view. Well, I've never had Jack Kerouac, author of On the Road, on the show, but my guests have the same passion for cross-country road trips. Bonnie and Grant Sinclair are a couple of lifelong wanderers and authors of the new book USA RV Adventures, published by Avalon Moon. It's a guide and on-the-road resource with driving directions, attractions, restaurants, campgrounds, not-to-miss sites, and more. The book is available at Amazon and all the usual places. For everything about Bonnie and Grant Sinclair, you can follow them on their adventures at wanderfilledlife.com — that's W-A-N-D-E-R, wonderfilledlife.com — and on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. And Grant, welcome to the show.

Grant Sinclair: Thanks so much for having me on.

Ira: First thing I have to tell you right off the bat is, as I think of RV cross-country adventures, the first thing that comes to mind is the price of fuel. So how do you cope with that and still have the fun that you obviously have going around the country and writing about this book?

Grant: I tell you, because we've done cost analyses on our travels with RVs over multiple trips, I have to say some years, some summers, it's really quite cost-effective. Some, it just hurts. I would say, honestly, the best way to deal with gas, other than making sure that your vehicle is maintained, is to find a good spot in terms of a campground, stay there for a while, and take short trips out from it using your tow or towed vehicle.

Ira: That’s a good idea. I would think also that even if the cost of fuel is high, you have to balance it off with the experience. You’re foregoing other things in order to do this, like maybe not buying another shiny new car or house, cutting back on other expenses. I assume you and your wife do that to make this work.

Grant: It’s funny you say that because my wife and I have shared a single vehicle — a truck — since we got married in 2010. That’s one of the ways we save money to be able to travel like we do.

Ira: When you met Bonnie, were you both interested in RV life and traveling across the country? It's more about the places you go to, not just having an RV. The larger issue is the adventure itself.

Grant: We've always been interested in travel. That was one of the things that really brought us together as a couple. When we first started dating, within a few months, we took a road trip up to the Outer Banks of North Carolina — Cape Hatteras. We had a blast visiting the National Seashore, the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and just enjoying the coastal area. That was our first trip together. Then, that summer, we went out to Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks and tent camped the whole way. As we got older, our backs didn’t enjoy sleeping on the ground as much, so we decided to get a camper to stay out longer and go to places like Arizona and New Mexico, with air conditioning and shade.

Ira: Right, the creature comforts. Do you think this type of adventure puts your relationship to the test? What’s your recommendation for couples who want to try this and ensure their relationship is solid?

Grant: My biggest recommendation is to start small. Take short trips and see how well you travel together. Develop a sense of shared responsibility. My wife, Bonnie, is very active on RV forums, and it drives her nuts when wives say they never drive the RV; that’s always their husband’s job. This is very much a joint project for us. Yes, we divide and conquer some tasks, but it’s always a joint effort. And honestly, our first road trip to Yellowstone was to see how well we got along. We had a moment in Grand Teton National Park. We got up early for sunrise pictures, but by 11:30, my blood sugar was dropping, and I was getting a bit hangry. We were hunting for a picnic area, and we were snapping at each other. It was an important lesson for us: have snacks to maintain blood sugar levels.

Ira: Absolutely. You have to remember those Snickers commercials! When did you decide to write the book USA RV Adventures?

Grant: In 2021, we got a message from one of our dear friends, Becky Lomax. She's an author for Moon Travel Guides, and they asked her if she knew anyone who was into RVing. She said, "You’re the only people I know. Are you interested?" And we said, "Yes, we’d be crazy not to do this."

Ira: Did you write it on the road or when you were back home?

Grant: We live outside of Atlanta, Georgia, and teach full-time. We came home from work, sat down at the computer, and worked for a few more hours, knocking out part of a chapter. We aimed for about a chapter a week.

Ira: Did you have a division of labor in the writing?

Grant: Yes, one of us would take a chapter and write it, while the other would research details like websites, times, campground information, etc. We’d cross-check each other’s work, with one editing the other’s writing.

Ira: Did the fact-checker at the publishing house have to replicate your visits?

Grant: No, not necessarily. The fact-checker would look at things like mileage, website accuracy, phone numbers, and hours. Some of the hours even changed while we were writing, so we had to make adjustments.

Ira: Do you have the America the Beautiful pass to get into National Parks?

Grant: Yes, I actually have the military pass because I'm an Army veteran. I highly recommend veterans get this pass — it’s free, and you can easily make up for the cost in a year on these trips.

Ira: Is there one favorite route you and Bonnie have?

Grant: The Grand Loop for the Western National Parks is close to my heart. My editors initially fought me on it because it’s 33 days long, but they agreed it’s the ultimate vacation route. Another favorite is the Best of the Dakotas Loop, which starts in the Black Hills of South Dakota and goes through the Badlands in North Dakota.

Ira: Do you think 20 years from now, you and Bonnie will be writing about RVing as seniors, using adaptive strategies?

Grant: We are going to keep traveling until we physically can’t anymore, using whatever adaptive technology is available in 20 years. The advances in RV technology just in the last five years have been incredible.

Ira: Do you recommend first-timers rent an RV and try it out before buying one?

Grant: Yes, I always recommend renting first to see what it’s like. If you're on the fence about renting, visit an RV dealership to see what’s inside. Rent one to understand what you’re looking at when you go to buy one.

Ira: There’s a "Know Before You Go" section in the book. How important is preparation to the enjoyment of the trip?

Grant: Preparation is key. When we travel, it’s disheartening to arrive somewhere and think, "If I had known about this ahead of time, I would have brought the right gear." Talk to park rangers, and understand that these places aren’t zoos; they’re natural environments.

Ira: What’s the most harrowing experience you and Bonnie have had?

Grant: We had a close encounter with a herd of bison in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. They got spooked and came running straight toward us. We climbed up the sidewall of a canyon to avoid being trampled. We also had to avoid a rattlesnake later on that hike. My tip is to talk to park rangers and remember that you’re in the animals' natural environment.

Ira: What’s the most important thing you want people to take away from USA RV Adventures?

Grant: It’s a guide, not a rigid itinerary. Feel free to take longer, skip things, or find your own path. Slow down, stop, and truly enjoy these places because it’s your country to explore.

Ira: That’s a great way to leave it. My guest has been Grant Sinclair. He and his wife Bonnie are authors of USA RV Adventures, published by Avalon Moon. For everything about Bonnie and Grant, go to wanderfilledlife.com. Grant, thanks for being on the show.

Grant: Thank you so much for having me; it's been a pleasure.

Ira: Same here. And join us every Thursday for a new schmear on Ira's Everything Bagel.