Hitting the road and traveling the country in an RV is nothing new for my 90-year-old mother, Margie.
After her husband died when she was 82, she surprised the whole family by buying a 24-foot motorhome she named Whimsey — because she had purchased it on a whim.
For over five years, she and Whimsey put in over 40,000 miles, driving from Florida to Chicago, Montana, Oklahoma, and many other places.
However, now that she’s 90 years old and dealing with arthritis, she’s given up the driver’s seat and gifted Whitney to my husband and me.
Despite having heart disease, Margie is active for her age, so when we decided to take her on a three-month RV adventure last summer, her doctors gave their blessing, and she couldn’t wait to pack up and go.
My mom is a pro at RV living, but I worried she’d struggle this time because of her age
I couldn’t wait to spend a few months together as we escaped the heat and humidity of Florida and made our way toward Wisconsin, where Margie lived for 25 years. Once there, we planned to visit friends and family in the area.
However, as my mom’s caregiver, I wanted to make sure she could comfortably and responsibly enjoy traveling in an RV. I worried that the tight space, uneven steps, shared routines, and limited privacy could prove challenging for her age.
Ultimately, she showed me I had nothing to worry about. Even though my husband and I wanted to take on most of the daily tasks, Margie never wanted to be accused of freeloading, so she began assigning herself chores.
When we’d get to a campground, my husband and I worked outside hooking up the electricity, water, and sewer. Margie worked inside, setting up the K-cup machine, pushing the button to extend the L-portion of the sofa that had to retract while driving, and getting our plastic wine glasses ready to toast our arrival at another campground.
Along with setting daily tasks for herself, she also created her own routine in the RV.
Each morning, I’d help her carry the oatmeal and coffee she made for herself to the outdoor picnic table, making sure she didn’t lose her balance along the way.
While eating, she would call her sister in Florida to brag about the cooler temperatures and how we were using the electric fireplace to warm us up.
She’d also take the garbage and recycling to the trash bin each morning, ensuring she got a little exercise. On the way back, she would gather sticks for the campfire and chat with the neighbors about where they were headed.
In the afternoons, once she had a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate, she’d play her harp, read the magazines she brought with her — AARP, Magnolia, or Better Homes and Gardens — or crochet a hanging kitchen towel with buttons that read, “Handmade with love,” to give as a gift to the next family or friend we visited.
No matter what she was doing on this trip, my mom taught me that staying active — physically and mentally — can add years to your life.
My mom is already packed for the next RV adventure
After witnessing my mom’s independence shine throughout this RV excursion, I realized this adventure wasn’t a one-time experiment. As long as she is healthy enough and wants to go, I hope we can keep making these experiences part of our lives.
We’re now about to take off on another road trip covering Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Despite recovering from a recent surgery, Margie has her magazines, crocheting, and harp already packed and ready to go.
Even at 90, my mom is still curious, adaptable, capable, and eager to be part of the adventure — not just along for the ride. I feel lucky that we still have this time together, and I don’t want to waste it.
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