Insiders: Craig and Kathy Lopus, RV Experts

We are consistently impressed by many of our Member's robust journeys around the world, and we wanted to share how one couple is seeing the expanse of America: through their (fairly new) motor home.

What inspired you to start traveling in an RV, and how long have you been doing it?

We started during COVID and we wanted to see our kids who lived out West. It's quite common knowledge that many folks got their start RVing when the rest of the world was closed down, and traveling on public transport wasn't an option. 

We initially had a smaller vehicle, but eventually upgraded as we spent more and more time on the road. When you're gone for multiple months at a time, it helps to have more space and all the amenities you would have at home.

What are the biggest advantages of RV travel compared to other types of travel?

You see America in a very different way - it’s very real. You meet people, see things you never typically see, and stay places you would never get to stay, like on the banks of the Mississippi River. You also have a lot of the comforts of home, like a nice bed, all of your own things, and you don't have to unpack at every spot.

What are some of the biggest challenges of living and traveling in an RV?

You’re driving a bus-sized vehicle with a house built on top. Things don’t always go as planned - things go wrong often - and you have the challenge of home-ownership and a bus combined. When it comes to campsites, many say they have WiFi but they don't or it's very weak. Plan accordingly by downloading some of your favorite shows in advance.

Which national parks have been your favorite to visit, and why?

When thinking about our favorites, the best landscapes and wildlife are the ones we remember most. Yellowstone and Tetons were among the most beautiful. The night sky at The Badlands was the best we’ve ever seen. There are certain designated places considered Dark Sky places and Badlands is one because there is no light interference. There is also a lot of Cold War history because of the nuclear missile sites there.

What advice do you have for first-time RV travelers visiting national parks?

Book your campsite a year in advance. The parks are becoming more and more popular each year. Know that it's very difficult to find campsites (for an RV) within the actual park. We like to rent a car to be able to go in the parks and explore more easily.

Keep your freezer full of food - food options are very limited at the parks, if available at all, so make sure you’re equipped. And just because you're in an RV doesn't mean you can't eat great food. We eat and drink very well, even — we drink fine wine and love making tomahawk steak.  

Bring along some games! We often play with other friends and fellow campers - some of our favorites are Five Crowns, Yahtzee, and 9-hole.

How do you find the best campsites near national parks?

We do a lot of research. Good Sam is a website and membership that we use quite often. We also rely on Facebook groups, which are a wealth of information. And, we've learned a lot from fellow RV-goers while we've been at campgrounds. Many of them have often been to parks we're planning to visit in the future.

Have you had any unexpected or memorable experiences while RVing in national parks?

In Yellowstone, we were visited daily by bison and elk (not bears or foxes --but those occasionally) so we had to look both ways for wildlife before opening our door in the morning.

We were able to live in Yellowstone for four months: we worked a seasonal job, which was a great opportunity! (Our employeer, Delaware North, manages a gift shop, and it was a great opportunity to be in the park and meet new people. (They currently pay $17/ hour if people are interested in that as an option). If you're not working in the park, you can only book and pay for reservations two weeks' at a time. 

You're headed from Florida to California this summer, tell us about your trip?

We’re RVing from May to August with two other couples & friends of ours who also have 'mobile mansions'. We planned it around the Tiffin Motorhome Rally which is taking place in Wyoming. En route, we’re going to camp on the Mississippi River, go to the Tetons, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, Napa, & Redwood National Park, then going to Willamette Valley, Bryce Canyon. Seeing family along the way is always a highlight including our son in Colorado and our niece in California.

Maybe you should reference our Travel Guide in this Edition to help you plan your trip! ;-) It includes a lot of your upcoming destinations.

Syllogi’s ‘Insiders’ interviews various subject matter experts who are travelling the globe, both personally and professionally, and share their favorite tips and recommendations.