Road Trippin’ Through Christmas: Our 34-Foot RV Adventure

Every holiday season brings its own surprises, and this year was no exception. This Christmas, we embarked on an unforgettable road trip, packing up our family and hitting the road in a 34-foot RV for a holiday adventure like no other. Our journey took us from Tampa, Florida, to Paw Paw, Michigan, for Christmas with my wife’s family, and then on to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for my cousin’s wedding.

The Journey Begins: Callaway Gardens & My First Time Driving an RV

The excitement kicked off right away. This was my first time driving an RV, and there was definitely a learning curve. We planned to stop at Callaway Gardens in Georgia for their famous Christmas light show, with a reservation for 9 PM. We made it just in time, rolling in after a long day on the road. By the time I backed into my parking space, I felt like a pro.

That first night, we faced our first real RV challenge—navigating the hookups, slides, and, of course, dumping the black and gray water tanks. It wasn’t as terrible as I expected, but I still took a shower immediately after.

Frozen Roads and Changing of Plans

The next morning, after breakfast, we packed up and set off toward Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, a special place for Britt and me since it’s where we got engaged. The plan was to show the kids where our journey started.

However, as we made our way into the mountains, we quickly realized that the roads were completely frozen. The views were breathtaking—snow-covered peaks and crisp winter air—but there was no way we could safely continue. Disappointed but determined to keep the trip moving, we rerouted toward London, Kentucky, where we found a brand-new RV park with a pool and tennis courts. It was a quick overnight stop, but it allowed us to get to Michigan ahead of schedule.

Arriving in Michigan: Snow, Family, and Holiday Magic

Getting to Paw Paw, Michigan, early was the right move. We arrived to find a fresh blanket of snow, something the kids were beyond excited about. They immediately got to work throwing snowballs and attempting to build a snowman—there wasn’t quite enough snow, but they made the best of it.

Seeing family again after a long time was special. My brother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew were thrilled to have extra time together, and we soaked in every moment of holiday cheer.

Time at the Farm & A Wedding to Remember

After Christmas, we drove to my family’s farm in Pennsylvania before heading into Pittsburgh for my cousin’s wedding. Pulling into the farm felt like stepping back into childhood memories—250 acres of farmland, rolling hills, and family waiting for us.

We made it just in time to shower and change before heading to the wedding rehearsal. My enthusiasm may have gotten the best of me because, after honking the horn all the way down the farm road, a whole bunch of family showed up, thinking there was some sort of big event happening. But we were tight on time and had to rush off to the church, making it just in time.

The wedding itself was perfect. We spent the night dancing, singing, laughing, and catching up with family. At one point, my high school-aged cousin Cooper picked me up like a baby—a hilarious reminder of how much time has passed and how quickly everyone is growing up.

Leaving Early & A Lucky Escape from the Snowstorm

Originally, we had planned to stay until New Year’s, but we decided to leave early on New Year’s Eve so we wouldn’t be rushed getting the RV back by January 3rd.

Turns out, that decision saved us a ton of trouble. My cousin later told me that Pennsylvania got four feet of snow, schools were shutting down, and roads were turning to ice. If we had stayed, we probably would have been stuck there or stranded in North Carolina. Instead, we kept heading south.

A Peaceful Stop at a Horse Farm in Savannah

To break up the long drive back, we made a stop in Savannah, Georgia, and stayed on a horse farm. It was absolutely beautiful—open fields, walking trails, and, of course, the horses. Unfortunately, because of the holiday, Charlie couldn’t ride, but she loved feeding and petting them.

We stayed for two nights, relaxing by the campfire and taking in the peaceful surroundings. Eating under the stars, next to the horses, was the perfect way to slow down before heading home.

A Quick Stop in St. Augustine & Finally, Buc-ee’s!

On our way back, we made a quick detour to St. Augustine, Florida. The historic district was packed with holiday crowds, so we grabbed ice cream and candy, saw the outside of the fort, and kept it simple. One cool thing? The city had camper parking with easy access to the historic sites, which made the stop super convenient.

That night, we stayed at an RV park with mini golf. Levi and I played a few rounds before dinner, while the girls decided it was way too cold to be outside.

The next morning, we had one last stop before heading home—Buc-ee’s! We had been hyping it up to the kids, and they were not disappointed. The massive store, endless snacks, and Beaver Nuggets were everything we promised. It was the perfect way to close out the trip.

Final Thoughts: The Trip That Changed How We Travel

This trip was amazing for all of us. The kids handled the long drives like champs, and Britt—who never wanted to road trip—fell in love with our little home on wheels.

As much as it was hard to say goodbye to family, it felt just as good to be home. One thing is for sure—we’ll definitely be doing more RVing in the future.

I’ve put together a compilation video capturing it all—the beautiful, the chaotic, and the unforgettable. Check it out below!

Here’s to the open road, unexpected adventures, and the memories that make it all worthwhile. Until the next journey!