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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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These all-time favorites now feel like home

How many times can you go back to a favorite destination?

For us, it’s nearly every year. The joy of RV travel is in the discovery, and once you find a fave, returning feels a little like coming home each time you visit.

So here’s the breakdown on our top five.

Taos, N.M.

JN: I love Taos for many reasons -- but mostly because of the way it makes me feel. This arty outpost on a high plateau in Northern New Mexico is simply a cool place to hang out.

You have mountains (the Sangre de Cristos) for skiing and hiking, empty rural roads to bicycle, and a vast river canyon to explore (Rio Grande del Norte National Monument).

I thrive in the high elevation. Taos sits at 7,000 feet, and nearby Wheeler Peak juts 13,167 feet into the clean New Mexico air, where every sunset is like a painting.

Side trips to Ojo Caliente Hot Springs and Taos Pueblo are a must.

Palm Springs

LK: Hanging out in Snowbird Central warms my heart and my creaky old bones. From our home base at the Happy Traveler RV Park, it’s easy to get out on a ride or walk to the vibrant downtown.

Yes, that’s a statue of former mayor Sonny Bono near the center of the action. The late showbiz legend helped establish the Palm Springs Film Festival and brought a lot of life to the place.

After a busy morning recreating, there’s the afternoon tradition of chilling by the pool, where I reflect on the mission statement: Life is good when you’re near water.

Big bonus points for the close proximity to Joshua Tree National Park, a popular destination we’ve visited many times.

Central California Coast

JN: The California coastline is 700-plus-miles of rugged beauty, from the warm beaches of San Diego to the blustery wilderness of the Lost Coast.

Sometimes, the middle ground is the best. And smack in the middle -- from Big Sur to Pismo Beach -- sits the Central Coast, with beautiful, uncrowded beaches and inviting communities to visit.

The camping is exceptional at a string of state parks (Pismo State Beach, Morro Bay, Morro Strand and Hearst San Simeon). My favorite coastal hike in California is at  Montana de Oro State Park, stretching along  a wild, windswept section overlooking vast, beautiful Morro Bay.

Sedona, Ariz.

LK: Now, where’s that famous “vortex”? That’s the question we asked when first visiting this increasingly crowded destination. A wise sage said: It’s all around us.

Scrambling up the red rocks on hikes such as the Hangover Trail and Marj’s Draw fill me with a sense of awe at the spectacular beauty of nature. Sounds kinda corny, but it’s true.

Plus, we dig the nicely located Rancho Sedona RV Park, the Saturday farmers market  and have discovered loads of good places to dine. Pro tip: Avoid the weekends.

Salish Sea

Both of us: Shoutout to the PNW. You don’t need to travel 1,000 miles to find a true gem.

The Salish Sea -- the inland waters of northwest Washington and southern British Columbia -- offers so many incredible opportunities.

We love the Coupeville-Port Townsend section, with gorgeous views of the Olympic Peninsula, Strait of Juan de Fuca  and Admiralty Inlet.

Camping at Fort Casey and Fort Worden state parks is exceptional. We also love the quiet island life in the San Juans, maybe the best place to ride a bike in the entire PNW.

Oh -- and there’s the seafood. Oysters in winter, salmon in summer -- the Salish Sea delivers a feast all year round.

Active Living Expo

Come meet us at Saturday’s Active Living Expo from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Mirabeau Park Hotel and Convention Center. We’ll be there in our trusty 2017 Thor Gemini, and you can also hang out with Going Mobile contributor Dan Webster.



Leslie Kelly
Leslie Kelly is a freelance writer.