We’re big fans of the quickie. Not just the roll in the hay, either, but those one-day trips to beautiful destinations.

These overnighters help keep our camping skills sharp and remind us why we’re committed to the RV lifestyle.

While we’ve kept the motorhome parked most of the winter, we’ve been able to pull off some successful overnight getaways that spark that longing to go farther. And we’re already making plans for the next long haul — just as soon as we get vaccinated.

In the meantime, please join us at a few spots that make sense for a short stay. Of course, you might just want to make it a lot longer.

Fidalgo Bay Resort

This welcoming park owned by the Samish Indian Nation is just outside of Anacortes, situated on the water where many sites enjoy spectacular bay views. OK, yes, there are a couple of refineries on the horizon, too. But if you don’t turn your head too far to the left…

Many of the folks parked here are full-timers, yet there’s still plenty of room for overnighters and we felt right at home. Our friendly neighbors gave us a heads up that proved to be a preview of what would hit our rig in the middle of the night: That spot — No. 112 — can bear the brunt of some mighty winds, they warned.

Yup, sure enough, we were rocking as the rain pelted the roof around 3 a.m. Still, no regrets. It was well worth the dramatic airflow.

Earlier in the evening, we sat by our new Outland Living Firebowl and ate shrimp seared on the trusty George Foreman Grill. As we kicked back to savor the sunset, we remembered that this sweet scene was exactly why we love rolling down the road.

It felt good to be reunited with our 23-foot Thor Gemini, falling into some natural routines: John expertly setting up the outside living room, Leslie embracing all things culinary in the teeny, two-burner kitchen.

After we took a long walk on the Tommy Thompson Trail, we hustled to get dinner going so we could eat outdoors while it was light.

Earlier in the day, we explored the charming old town section of Anacortes, a historic neighborhood we’ve always zoomed past on the way to catch the San Juan Island ferry. We drove beyond the ferry landing this time to check out Washington Park, a popular city park that has camping. (It was mostly closed, opening back up later in the spring.)

It also has extensive trails along the waterfront and a long loop road with amazing views. Just do not drive your RV down that narrow strip of asphalt. Too many low-hanging branches for smooth passage.

We felt incredibly grateful for the change of scenery, much like the giddy excitement experienced earlier in the month with a trip to Fort Casey on Whidbey Island and during a memorable overnight stay at Birch Bay State Park last summer for a small, socially distanced family reunion.

Yes, it’s a bit of a pain to pack up all you’ll need and then unpack the very next day. But we’ve developed a few tricks for making that transition fairly easy. Top of the list: Leave some staples in the rig. We’ll never run low on Ritz Crackers or Dot’s Pretzels to snack on, an abundant supply of RV TP and that flask of hootch in the “liquor cabinet” ensures cold nights are less chilly.

Speaking of travel plans: We don’t have to tell seasoned road dogs that now’s the time to start booking your sites for summer. This can be a challenge in some cases, as the restrictions vary widely on when advance reservations can be made at state parks.

Don’t forget to check out some of the alternatives to the traditional park experience. We’ve had wonderful stays through Hipcamp and Harvest Hosts and look forward to more in our near future.

Where do you go for a quick getaway? We’d love to hear suggestions for early spring travel around the Inland Northwest. Drop us your tips at goingmobile@spokesman.com.

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