Every trip tells a story. Follow our upcoming adventures and revisit the places we’ve explored over the years.
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Latest from Ricks Ramblings
- Free and Low-Cost Overnight RV Camping: It’s Out There If You LookCampground fees can add up quickly when traveling with an RV. If you’re staying somewhere for several days and using the amenities, paying for a campground makes sense. But when you’re traveling from one destination to another and just need a place to spend the night, paying full campground rates can be a little harder…
- Trailer Lights: Finding the Problem Before You Hit the RoadMy wife, Pat, and I volunteer and help raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. One of the fundraisers Pat participates in each fall involves selling mums. Another CF fundraiser is able to purchase them wholesale and resell them, with the profits going to support the fight against cystic fibrosis. The only catch for us…
- A Few Seconds That Got My AttentionYesterday, I was reminded how quickly an ordinary bike ride can turn into something you weren’t expecting. Pat had knee replacement surgery three days earlier, so I had been home taking care of her. I needed to drop off a check at the bank, but for whatever reason, the phone app I usually use for…
About Us
What Does BNUS Mean?
BNUS has a special meaning in our lives. When Pat and I first started dating, we quickly discovered that the greatest joy came from simply being ourselves. There was never any need to impress each other or pretend to be someone we weren’t. We often talked about how comfortable it felt to just be ourselves together.
We started calling it “Being Us,” and over time those two words naturally evolved into BNUS. Today, it’s more than just a logo on our website. It’s a reminder that the best journeys in life are shared by simply being ourselves and enjoying the adventure together.
We’re Rick and Pat, and we’re glad you stopped by.
Like many people, we spent years talking about what we would do “someday” when retirement arrived. We dreamed of buying an RV, traveling North America, and seeing places we’d only read about. Then one day we realized that someday had arrived.
We both retired from careers in public safety with the Saint Paul Police Department. I served as a police officer, while Pat worked as a 911 dispatcher. After our first retirement, we continued working part time while planning for the next chapter of our lives. When full retirement finally arrived, it was time to stop dreaming and start traveling.
Family has always been an important part of our lives. Between our children and a growing group of grandchildren, life has never been dull. We also spent many years exploring the country on our Honda Goldwing motorcycle, riding through most of the United States and creating memories that fueled our desire to see even more.
In 2019, we purchased our first fifth wheel and began a new adventure. Since then, we’ve traveled thousands of miles, visited incredible destinations, solved our share of unexpected problems, and learned lessons that only come from life on the road. Every trip teaches us something new.
This website is where we share those experiences. You’ll find travel stories, campground reviews, RV maintenance tips, money saving ideas, trip planning tools, and honest opinions based on what has worked for us and, just as importantly, what hasn’t.
We’re not experts with all the answers, and you’ll quickly discover there is rarely only one “right” way to do something in the RV world. What we hope to provide is practical information drawn from real experience that helps make your own travels a little easier and a little more enjoyable.
Whether you’re just beginning to think about RVing or you’re a seasoned traveler, we hope you’ll find something here that inspires your next adventure.
Welcome aboard, and thanks for traveling with us.
Rick & Pat
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