Caravan Travel

We’ve now had several travel days to get a feel for the process of moving the group from place to place. In this caravan, we DO NOT travel nose-to-tail in a long string of vehicles. That would pose a traffic hazard and just wouldn’t work since there are few areas large enough for so many big rigs to pull off for rest stops and meal stops. Our wagon master just completed a long tour through Mexico and Central America where they did travel in a convoy but the group was smaller and the local conditions (language barrier and security) made it desirable to keep everyone together. Instead, we travel “scattered”.

A typical day begins rather early. Don’t worry; we still get plenty of rest since campers tend to turn in early as well. At the previous evening’s travel meeting, the wagon master discusses the route, reviews any hazards and points of interest then announces his departure time and our expected arrival time at the next destination. The leader’s departure is usually 7:30 – 8 AM. Guests should depart in small groups spaced out over the next hour. The tail gunner’s rig leaves a little while after the last guest. We check in with the tail gunner by CB each morning to confirm that we are up and preparing to leave, then again as we depart. We can talk by CB with anyone else in range, for example to pass word back about wildlife or road conditions. We are free to stop wherever and as often as we wish while completing the day’s journey by the arrival deadline. The tail gunner keeps his coach at the end of the string while the wagon master must be the first to arrive at the next stop to complete the arrangements.

The group has already divided into the early birds, who often depart before the wagon master then pull over and linger somewhere so he can get ahead, and the trailers who leave well after the wagon master and get to camp right at the deadline. We often leave near the end of the group (Steve is NOT a morning person) but drive a little faster than some and pull into the destination in the middle of the pack.

The next hour or so is spent parking, hooking up electric and water service (and sometimes the TV cable, yes even in rural areas), and sewage dump hose. Then, when we don’t have a planned evening activity, we gather in small groups, break out the lawn chairs and some refreshments and talk – about previous trips, our RV’s and their features or faults, family or jobs, the day’s sights … The social chitchat is quickly becoming more intimate and meaningful as we get to know each other better. Friendships develop quickly in these circumstances. We chose to travel to Alaska as part of a caravan, rather than by ourselves, for the company and comfort of having companions on the trip. We feel we are getting much more out of this trip by sharing it with our fellow travelers than we would have by going alone.