2-2-2 Rule (Revised)

It's hard to believe we have "lived" at Sargent Beach RV Park for five weeks! While one of us is ready for the next adventure, the other could stay here indefinitely and enjoy the serenity of a sleepy, coastal town.

However, we will say goodbye next week and embark on a 900-mile trek across Highway 10 to Florida. We are currently planning our itinerary using our revised travel guideline.

In a previous post, I explained the 2-2-2 rule, which we now modified to suit our traveling personalities. We call this one the 2-2-3-4 rule.

• Take a break every 2 hours 
• Travel no more than 2 consecutive days in a row and ensure the next stop is a 2-day layover
• Travel no more than 300 miles a day
• Arrive no later than 4:00 pm

My pelican friends -- Lucy and Ethel

The first rule is more for Hero than it is for us. He needs to get out of the rig and walk around, otherwise, his anxiety takes over. And we are more than willing to accommodate his special needs.

While we are learning to enjoy the journey, we are still most excited about arriving at our final destination. Sometimes we discover hidden gems along the way that are worth a layover stop, but often we just want a quick overnight stay. Even though Geoff enjoys driving, however, we are learning an extended stay helps calm nerves and rejuvenate mental alertness. On this upcoming trip, the extended stay in Mobile, AL will coordinate with some genealogy research.

In addition, we plan to boondock on this trip (that is, overnight camping with no electricity or water). Since this will be a new experience, we aren't sure how often we need to empty the black and gray water tanks. The no more than two consecutive nights rule will ensure the next stop will be equipped with full hook-ups and plenty of time to catch up on cooking, laundry, and bathing.

The 300-mile rule is a couple compromise. I prefer shorter driving days and 200 miles fits the bill. Once we factor in pit stops and lunch breaks, we are on the road for about 4-5 hours. Geoff, however, prefers to push through. He would rather travel 7-8 hours each day and arrive sooner at the final destination. So we agreed to travel no more than 300 miles a day, agreeing the sweet spot is probably around 250.

Sargent Beach sunset

The 4:00 pm rule came about by observation. I noticed that most people here at Sargent Beach arrived mid-afternoon. They set up camp in the light of day and were ready to chill with a glass of wine by dinner. The evening was an opportunity to rest, relax, and rejuvenate.

Since most campgrounds have a late check-out time (typically around 11:00 am) and most RVers limit time on the road to about six hours...  4:00 pm is the natural arrival time.

Next week I will share our upcoming itinerary and how we put this new rule into practice.