The First 6 Months With The Beast

Above, The Beast at the West Entrance KOA just outside of West Yellowstone, Montana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since I bought The Beast (daughter Amber came up with the name) earlier this year, we've managed to get plenty of use out of it. Yet, it still has under 7,000 miles on the odometer. I heard that the "national average" for RV use is 3,000 miles annually. I have my doubts about that.

After spending several weeks outfitting it, it was ready to go out on the road with all the comforts of home.

During the first six months of ownership, we've taken the following trips:

• Las Vegas, Nevada - The purpose of this trek in April was not to gamble, but to take daugher Amber over to The Mirage Hotel to try out for a possible internship position with the hotel's dolphin show. This was the "shake-out cruise".

• Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks - This was the first lengthy trip (a week) in which Amber and I headed up north in June to see the wonders of both national parks and points in-between. The Beast passed without a hitch.  

• Lake Havasu, Arizona - I have always wanted to try out jet skiing (you may call it one item in my "bucket list"), so I went for three days to do just that in July. 

I had some major engine problems with the 1989 Mustang in May, so while it was in the shop, The Beast came in handy for transportation to work and other local places. That was one of the other reasons for buying it. I needed a second vehicle in case something should go wrong with the car and it filled the need very well. This provided me with more driving time to get more experience in driving a large vehicle with its V10 Ford Triton engine.

The map above shows the locations of different campgrounds we've stayed at during the first six months.

Starting at top, the West Entrance KOA, Richfield (Utah) KOA, Beaver (Utah) KOA, Circus Circus RV Park in Las Vegas and Crazy Horse Campground in Lake Havasu, Arizona. Reviews for each are posted at RV Park Reviews and can be accessed by going here.

Above, The Beast at Crazy Horse Campground in Lake Havasu City. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

What's in the future? At present, I have no current plans except for some weekend getaways to Thousand Trails' Soledad Canyon (only an hour's drive). A one-year membership in Thousand Trails came with the purchase of the motorhome, so I might as well make use of it. And, starting next year (when my retirement kicks in), I'll be out camping with different chapters of The Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus.