While this past weekend in Tofino was awesome, there were several instances that reminded me of just why I love to have my RV parked wherever I explore.

Having everything I own on hand

I hadn’t planned on going to the hot springs and wanted to bring minimal baggage since hostel lockers are small. I therefore didn’t have an appropriate day pack, towel, footwear, or attire for the excursion. I ‘made do’ with what I had on hand, but would have enjoyed myself even more had I had my water shoes.

I also didn’t have quite the right clothes with me. I had brought tee-shirts with a light corduroy blouse to wear over top and my rain slicker as a coat. I would have been more comfortable with a three-quarter sleeve length top and the rain slicker only.

Sleeping in my own bed

Sharing a dorm room is something people need to try at least once in their lives so as to truly appreciate the solitude of a private bedroom. The three of us who were there my first two nights (a fourth added herself the third night) had different schedules. One lady was always napping during the day, went to bed early, and got up late. She was always cranky with me for waking her up and on the last night she actually stormed out of the room at 12:30, woke up the manager, and accused me of throwing rocks at her while she slept! I found this out the next morning, having missed the excitement since I was sound asleep.  The other gal also had a strange sleep pattern, but is used to hosteling and was super easy to get along with (she might even stay with me when she makes it up to Dawson this summer!).

Not having to ‘drive home’

I was tired yesterday and had an almost four hour drive ahead of me to get back to Campbell River. I did so at a pretty fast clip since I just wanted to get back to my stuff (thankfully, I’d done everything I wanted to do on the way there!). It made sense, however, to leave the RV in Campbell River since I had to come back there instead of being able to meander somewhere else. Taking Miranda to Tofino and back (never mind the road) would have cost $320 ($200 in gas and $120 in pad rent) while taking the car cost $120 ($60 in gas and $60 in accommodation).

Leaving the cats alone

I left Tabitha and Neelix with two big bowls of water and a big bowl of food, yet everything was empty when I got in. Neelix didn’t pounce on me, so I knew the empty dishes were a very recent phenomenon, but I still felt guilty. Two full days is definitely the longest I would ever leave them alone and I always miss them terribly. They apparently miss me, too, evidenced by all the cuddling I get upon returning!

Being able to cook

I am so glad that a) the hostel had a kitchen and b) that the kitchen was inviting to cook in. Cooking with three or four people in the room sometimes involved doing a bit of a jig, but it was better than the alternative since eating out in Tofino for every meal was just not an option.

There is one major perk to getting away from the RV a couple of times a year: it makes you appreciate home all the more. 🙂