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But the Mims' aging Dodge pickup is a v-8, and a 'gasser' at that. Bob figured 13 miles to the gallon solo, "on a good day." Who could imagine what towing the family's 23' foot travel trailer would do. But for RVers, plans are plans. Off they went, pulling out of Utah, headed for the northwest, via Idaho. With the windows down, that heady scent of travel never fails to allay fears and pump endorphins into the system. By the time Bob and Barbara got to revisit Multnomah Falls along Oregon's side of the Columbia River, where nearly four decades earlier they'd done some serious courtin' and sparkin', the cost of fuel must've been the farthest thing from their minds. Bob had a serious appointment ahead of him. He'd never visited the California redwoods, and the trip along the coast was just part of the gravy. From visiting lighthouses, to tracing the dusty outlines of World War II planes in an old museum, to testing out cheese at Tilamook, Oregon, the Mims took their time, and their reliable (if aged) old Dodge got them there.  And yes, they got to the redwoods. Writing for the Salt Lake Tribune, Bob recalls, "On top of the mountain, we
saw cloud-shrouded redwoods stretching east into the horizon, while to
the west, distant ocean beaches were shining through the branches." Makes you want to pack up and leave tomorrow, eh?Pointing the rig eastward, the family forsook the rat-race of Interstate 5, and took the slow route back home. "Climbing to green summits, we often averaged only 30 mph, but it paid off with the stunning beauty of the Klamath Mountain Range. Winding through the Whiskeytown-Shasta Trinity National Recreation Area, forest blacktop led through a gallery of waterfalls and picturesque hamlets on the way to Redding, Calif. From there, S.R. 99 took us through orchard country to Chico, and onto S.R. 149 through Oroville." All too soon, the Mims were back home, in Salt Lake City. But what about that question of economy? Bob Mims kept careful records, and made it a point to build a "what if" chart for those who would argue that taking the car and doing the motel and restaurant routine is less expensive. Here's the real-world breakdown: Actual RV Trip Costs: Gasoline $1,162.40. RV park fees $336.45. Food $35 (ate out twice); the cost of food brought from home is not included. Total $1,533.85. Projected Car Trip Costs: Based on a medium-sized car (2007 Chevrolet Impala, 6-cylinder, 22 mpg over 2,700 miles. Source www.fueleconomy.gov). Gasoline $499.50 (based on $4.07 per gallon regular). Motels $1,190.37 (based on searching best rates for motels in same cities where we stopped). Food $840-$1,050, estimated ($60-$75 per day in typical national franchise restaurant, breakfast, lunch and dinner). Total $2,589.27-$2,799.27. Additional cost If you took this trip renting the same car, the total cost would rise, according to www.travelocity.com best-rate search, by a minimum of $319 for intermediate-sized car (not including insurance, if needed). Real World Savings: $1,086 to $1,266--and even more if you rented the car. Yes, the skeptics clammer: They should have included the cost of food! What about the cost of buying the RV? Bob Mims sums it up nicely when he says, "If vacations are less about money spent, and more about memories made and tensions fading away, then yes." Photo: Barbara Mims, Salt Lake Tribune Top of Page Get your FREE RV Travel Newsletter every week - sign up now.
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