After seven years of RVing, Helen and I are comfortable declaring ourselves “veterans of the road.” We’ve traveled through every state of the Lower 48 and camped in all but a few of them. We have our list of favorites, but I have never taken the time or space to point them out. I decided to change that for 2024 and hand out the “Best of 2024” awards in several categories of RV travel. Follow along and see why we chose life on the road to keep us active and involved during retirement…the best gig ever.
Best Beach
If a campground doesn’t offer water in some form (beach, creek, lake), I’m not likely to get excited. Helen and I camped in some fabulous beach campgrounds in 2024–here are the top two:
Runner-up: Point Mugu, CA, a picturesque campground a few miles north of Malibu, CA. The beach, sheltered by a tall berm on the eastern side, is always calm and inviting.
Winner: Edisto Beach, SC. Helen and I have camped here for over six years and will return every November for as long as possible. The sunsets over the marsh are a work of art, and the sunrises over the beach are invigorating and a fabulous way to start the day.
Best Meal
Runnerup: Cocoanut Curry Salmon. We discovered this meal online and prepared it in the kitchen of our trailer. We’re convinced that it is as good as anything we could find in an expensive restaurant.
Winner: Hunt’s Oyster Bar, Panama City, FL. I love good seafood gumbo, raw oysters, and “old Florida” restaurants. Hunts serve the best oysters—fresh, cold, and big. The gumbo is some of the best I’ve ever tasted.
Best Military Campground
Runner-up: Pelican Roost—Mayport Naval Station, FL. This campground sits right on the bay in Jacksonville. I enjoy watching the big Navy ships leave the nearby marina for missions around the globe. The campground is well-maintained, and the staff is phenomenal.
Winner: Fiddler’s Cove-Coronado Beach, CA. This campground offers plenty of waterfront sites overlooking Coronado Bay and the Coronado Skyline. Hotel Del Coronado is visible beyond the sailboats in the marina. We have camped here several times, and I consider it my favorite military or commercial campground through seven years of camping.
Best Meetup:
We met up with many friends in 2024, but two meetings stand out.
Runner-up: In San Antonio, we arranged to meet Ed and Mary Jo, a couple who lived across the hallway from us when we were stationed in Wurzburg, Germany. We enjoyed a delightful lunch on the outskirts of San Antonio and promised to stay in touch.
Winner: I consider my trips to the western U.S. complete only if we can spend time with Paul and Dayna. They were also friends during our Army tour in Wurzburg, but I’ve never met anyone like them in the fifty years since. Both are talented and energetic, and Paul is hilarious. I cherish our friendship.
Best Sunset:
Runnerup: We camped about five feet from the water’s edge in Eastpoint, FL, and had the primo site. Throughout our stay, we enjoyed spectacular sunsets every evening.
Winner: Our campsite in Edisto gave us an incredible marsh view. The weather was perfect during our stay, and the sun setting over the marsh was an extraordinaire photo op.
Best Group Outing:
This award had no challengers. Every year, we go to Big South Fork National Recreational Area with a large group from our church. The campout offers Helen and me an opportunity to meet and spend time with the young families in our congregation. We love our church and the members of the congregation–this gathering is always memorable.
Biggest Thrill:
Runnerup: Helen and I were in Florida in January, and our granddaughter, Abby, was traveling to Disney World for the National High School Cheerleading Championships. We adjusted our schedule to be in Orlando for the competition. Her high school team had never had a competitive team before 2024, but that didn’t matter. Abby and her talented teammates won the National Championship in their Division. What a thrill for the entire family.
Winner: Nothing competes with family time. In August, our kids and grandkids met for a reunion in Santa Barbara, CA. Words are insufficient to describe what this experience meant to Helen and me. I can tear up thinking about it because reunions only get more challenging as the grandchildren grow older. Remember, we’re bi-coastal grandparents, and the time-distance barrier makes it difficult to get together.
Best (or favorite) Picture
Mortimer and I had an encounter over lunch in Florida.
This post only skims the surface of the highlights of 2024. We’re forever grateful to the readers who trekked along with us. We begin another journey in January and sincerely hope you’ll be with us. We’re Easin’ Along.
Thanks for posting Best of awards for 2024, Joe.
You’re very welcome. Thanks for checking it out. All the best to you and Wilma for a wonderful New Year. Joe
Love love love your post and pictures! Looking forward to 2025!!
Happy New Year, Catherine!
So glad you checked in. The last time I saw you was on television–you’re a natural. I sincerely hope we have the chance to meet up in 2025, we miss you both. Hugs and blessings for a wonderful start to 2025. Please stay in touch. Joe
Loved reading about your “Bests”! And all the glorious photos.. Although I love the family ones, the one of you and Mortimer is a classic. You definitely need a framed print!
Hi, there!
Thanks so much for stopping by. I agree the picture of my father/son talk with Mortimer needs a place on the wall. I’ll work on it. Happy New Year to you and Johnny!
Joe, if there were a ‘best of the year’ award for how to live retirement, you and Helen would take first place.
Beautiful recap of a beautiful life. I look forward to the next year of Easin’ Along. Happy New Year, lovely couple.
Suzanne,
Thanks so much. We’re blessed that we have our health (and our minds) and the ability move about our beautiful country. We truly enjoy the retirement we’ve chosen and, by sharing it with others, we have made great friends–most of whom we’ve never met. May that continue. Wishing you and Malcolm a joy-filled 2025. Joe
Suzanne, truer words were never spoken!
Great recap of your adventurous camping year. Enjoy your post and keep travelling.
We enjoyed a year filled with some great memories that I felt should be shared. Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed 2025.
Well, you probably aren’t surprised that my favorite of your “Bests” is the sunset in Eastpoint! I still miss seeing the sunset every day from our back porch on the bay.
You certainly had a wonderful year, Joe. We wish you and Helen and Mortimer another year of grand adventures in 2025! ❤️
Hugs from Laurel, Eric, & Magnolia
Laurel,
We ended up in Eastpoint when the campground that we booked had issues. What a blessing! The sunsets were stunning every evening, and the local seafood was divine. Sending the three of you our very best wishes for a fabulous 2025. Joe
Hi, Joe – You and Helen are not only ‘Veterans of the Road’ but are truly ‘Veterans of the Road with Style.’ I love your best of list. And that final picture of you and Mortimer in Florida is absolutely priceless!
Happy New Year, Donna!
Always great to hear from you. Thanks so much for the nice comments and for stopping by. We had a very memorable year on the road and feel very blessed to be able to enjoy the staggering beauty of our country. I’m glad you enjoyed my picture with Mortimer–he needed a little “guidance and counseling” over lunch. Sending all our best to you and Richard.
This is a wonderfully entertaining post, Joe – nicely done! We travelers enjoy so many amazing places, people and experiences throughout our adventures that reflecting on them at the end of the year can help keep our countless blessings in perspective. Love your EA Trophy – very creative! And, for what it’s worth, Fiddler’s Cove is MY favorite of your military campgrounds, too! Wishing you and Helen all of life’s best in 2025!
Good morning, Mary,
Creating joyful memories is an important aspect of RV travel for Helen and me, and we consider ourselves blessed for the ability to enjoy it at our age. Being bi-coastal grandparents, and with very busy grandchildren, we have found a way to be with them and see our beautiful country along the way. Thanks for checking in–maybe we can meet up in 2025 so, we’ll stay in touch. Sending hugs and best wishes for a fabulous New Year.
I love how you themed your photos, Joe! Very clever! All such fabulous shots, too! Hard to pick a favorite but the last one of you and Mortimer eating lunch in the RV is the winner. Shows off your wonderful lifestyle and the love of your sweet dog! Cheers to a happy, shiny, New Year!🥂🎊
Good morning, Terri,
I had fun with this post. It illustrates how blessed we are to travel our beautiful country. Mortimer and I were discussing life over a sandwich. Not certain that he took everything in, but it was some good quality time. Have a wonderful 2025, and thanks for stopping in.
Joe, Beautiful recap and photos. Happy New Year and best wishes to you and Helen for a wonderful 2025.
Good morning, Natalie,
Thanks for stopping by. I am looking forward to 2025 and seeing where your travels take us. Have a blessed year and please stay in touch. Joe