Seeing the incredible national parks in Utah has been on our bucket list for some time, so when we had the opportunity to grab a 21-foot Winnebago Solis from Blacksford RV in early May, we rearranged our schedule. We couldn’t be happier that we did.
We talk to many seniors each year about the flexibility and special opportunities of traveling by RV, and each time we go, we seem to discover even more reasons to travel by RV.
WHERE YOU WANNA GO?
With hundreds of flights available to Las Vegas, we opted to fly to Blacksford’s branch there. They also have a location in Bozeman, Montana, and they are opening one in Phoenix.
Each location gives you access to some of the nation’s best national parks, like Yellowstone, Glacier, Bryce Canyon, Zion, the Grand Canyon, and Yosemite.
THEY’VE GOT A SYSTEM THAT REALLY WORKS
Having traveled in rented RV’s in both the US and overseas, I’ve got to say, I was more impressed with Blacksford than with any of my previous trips. They have a system that works with reminder emails, simple to complete forms, and follow up so I didn’t leave home with details to be completed later.
Doing a lot of photography, I was concerned about how many charging ports were going to be available to recharge batteries and the like while we traveled. One quick email and Blacksford provided a detailed list of each and every USB and 12v port throughout the vehicle. Take if from me, there were a bunch of them!
WHITE GLOVE SERVICE
Just like celebrities, Blacksford arranged to pick us up at the airport, (despite our repeated flight delays) and take us the quick 10-minute drive to their location to pick up our RV. The camper was loaded with LP gas for heat and cooking, had a full tank of gas, and the water tanks were loaded with 19 gallons of fresh water for drinking, cooking and washing.
They gave us an orientation, taking as much time as needed to make sure we understood how to work all the appliances, and monitor all our liquid and power levels. In less than an hour, we were off on our way.
COMES WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED
If you’ve never rented an RV before, Blacksford makes the process really easy. In the model we rented, the bed instantly folds up – Murphy bed style, so you have the full floor length to use while you are traveling. Genius.
They provide all the necessities, so your RV is ready to use the minute you step aboard. They come with sheets, pillows and pillowcases, fresh towels, folding chairs for outside seating, and a supply for freshly sanitized kitchen utensils, and silverware. For dining, they supplied us with a large skillet and a big enough pot to make chili for eight, a coffee pot, ceramic coffee cups, plastic plates and bowls. For cooking, there were knives, flippers, strainers, can openers – well, you get the idea – everything you’d need.
YOU GOTTA EAT
They also offer a food option where you supply the list of your grocery needs and they’ll purchase and stock your RV with the food before you arrive.
PICK YOUR STYLE – THEY’VE GOT BOTH EASY TO DRIVE STYLES
One of your first decisions will be what type vehicle your party needs. Fortunately, Blacksford rents both easy-to-drive types. If yours is a big family, or you’re traveling with friends, or parents with a couple children, you might like a Class C. Built on a typical van chassis, it’s easier to park, but has the advantage of lot’s of seating, dining and sleeping space with the large camper body that extends over the driver’s compartment.
With just the two of us, we went for the sleek 21-foo Class B Winnebago Solis. No wider than the van I drive at home, we were able to pull off the road where ever we liked, and easily parked it whenever we saw something we wanted to explore. In Zion National Park, where many signs said “No Parking Available,” I was able to squeeze into three delightfully convenient, and legal, parking spaces along the side of the road.
The 21-foot model offers 18″ of extra storage space at the rear that handles all your luggage while you travel, yet makes them easily available whenever needed.
Our model – the Solis PX59 also came with a pop-top that raises up to reveal a giant bed above the coach.
How about waking from an afternoon nap with this view?
PLANNING NOT YOUR THING – NO PROBLEM
Blacksford has connections with both travel planners who can create an entire itinerary for you, and also a network of local tour guides who can arrange for personally guided expeditions to make sure you don’t miss any of the special features at your destination.
A MOST SUCCESSFUL TRIP
We spent a week traversing four of Utah’s most scenic byways, two National Parks, enjoying multiple locations within the Dixie National Forest, and driving into the remote Kodachrome Basin. Had we been on a tour bus, we’d have never seen even a quarter of the sites we enjoyed, or stopped at those off-the-beaten path eateries that make a trip memorable.
On one of our scenic byways excursions, we found ourselves in a snow storm, followed by sunny skies at an alpine lake,
and then back up into snow-covered ski country, and then back to shirt-sleeve walking weather – all in less than two hours. During the week long trip, we used the heater for our snow covered camps, and then the air-conditioner while sleeping in 85 degree temps. All the time, the camper kept us totally comfortable.
When we were all done, we drove to the Blacksford office, dropped off the RV, and were chauffeured back to the airport. So convenient!
If you’ve never experienced the advantages of an RV road trip, I’d seriously suggest it. And, if it’s the Wild West you want to see, you need to see Blacksford RV’s website to start your planning.
Stay tuned for more about our trip – the locations we visited – the beautiful sights we saw, and some suggestions for your next trip.
Thanks to Blacksford RV for providing us with use of the Winnebago Solis for this latest adventure. No compensation was involved, and opinions expressed are, and always will be, strictly our own.
