Road Trip March - Day 1

March 13th 2026 (Friday)  

The first road trip of 2026... we have a planned, long, complex route of some 4,000 miles round trip for this adventure - but it didn't quite get off as planned. We had almost finishing loading the RV this morning with a planned departure time of 8am, when Fred discovered a water leak inside the van!! Luckily the van had been parked on a slight slope which meant the water was relatively contained to one area *phew!  

But of course it meant we couldn't leave until we had worked out where it was coming from. After many frustrating hours, and a few choice words, the issue was located. Then came the challenge of trying to find a replacement part, hopefully not too far away. More frustration and even more choice words, when it became apparent that the nearest available one to buy and collect was 5+hrs drive in the wrong direction!!!

So, a few phone calls later, it was arranged that our friend would take delivery of the replacement part for when we arrived for our stay in New York during which time Fred could then install it.  

The downside to this plan, it means for a few initial days of this road trip the only hot water we will have is what we boil from the kettle, but we don't have any other realistic option. After over 8hrs of frustration and stress we were finally hitting the road and our 2026 new life adventure has begun!! 

But then.... just 5 mins down the road and we seem to have a wheel noise, a strange grinding with one of the brakes, something not quite right... OMG what now!!! Quick inspection all seemed OK and Fred, in utter despair on how the day had already turned out, decides to ignore it and carry on stating "it'll probably go away".... he hoped..... but it didn't. He knows it is something to do with the new brake pads he had fitted, but it will have to wait until the morning, then he will have a proper look and see what the issue might be.

What a day so far, total Friday 13th vibes that's for sure!  

Day ended & bed at 12.30am when we finally reached the rest stop, exhausted. Tonight's stay, a free roadside stop at Petro Travel Centre, a nice rest area with plenty of parking and good facilities.

Road Trip Day 1 - Today we did 321 miles.