Fall 2025 Adventure with Zack & Messi
This September, we packed up an RV, loaded our dog Messi, and hit the road for a week-long trip from Orange County, California to Portland, Oregon. It was a mix of scenic drives, cozy campsites, national parks, breweries, pumpkin patches, and one chaotic dog.
Here’s the full story — and a detailed cost breakdown at the end for anyone planning a similar RV trip.
📍 Day 1: Hitting the Road
We picked up our Cruise America RV in Costa Mesa at 1 p.m., packed up quickly at home, and hit the road by 2:30. We reached the 210/5 junction by 4:30 and made it through the Grapevine by 5:30. After a quick gas and pee break for Messi around 7 p.m., we pushed through and arrived at my besties house in East Bay around 10:30 p.m.
Messi, as usual, was only happy glued to me. We snacked the whole way, listened to music and a Matthew McConaughey podcast, and then set up the RV beds for the first time. We were asleep by 11.
🥂 Day 2: Sacramento & Klamath Falls
I woke up early, showered, and caught up with my bestie (and her adorable bump!). After coffee and breakfast on the Blackstone, we reorganized the RV (turns out, all the rattling noises were forks and bowls in a bag—oops).
From there, we drove to Sacramento for a quick stop at Zack’s uncles for mimosas and second breakfast. Then it was onward through Shasta and along the Volcanic Scenic Byway to Klamath Falls. We arrived at RJourney RV Park at 7:15 p.m., hooked up easily, and made chicken burritos for dinner under the cool fall breeze.
The train, however, was insanely loud that night.
🌄 Day 3: Crater Lake & Bend
We started the day with French press coffee and breakfast, then headed to Crater Lake National Park. The weather was crisp and perfect. We walked the Rim Village trails with Messi, took photos, and enjoyed a simple cheese plate lunch overlooking the lake.
The west rim drive to Bend was stunning. We checked into a bougie RV park, then headed to Crux Brewery for beer and food truck bites. Messi demolished an alligator plushie while we sipped lagers and mocktails.
That evening: pad Thai from Proski Food Pod, gravity chairs under the stars, and an early bedtime.
🥾 Day 4: Bend & Tumalo Falls
The morning in Bend was cold and slow — heater on, coffee in hand. We drove a bumpy gravel road to Tumalo Falls, hiked to both viewpoints, and continued to Double Falls with Messi splashing in the river. Butterflies and fall air everywhere.
Lunch was PB&J and pineapple. After jacuzzi time back at camp, we headed to Deschutes Public House for elk burgers, pretzels, and a delicious Obsidian nitro stout.
🏜️ Day 5: Painted Hills & Detroit Lake
Our coffee was a little too strong, but the drive to Painted Hills was beautiful (and full of roundabouts). The Painted Cove boardwalk trail was short but sweet, and the overlook trail stole the show — Messi even dug himself a little hole at the top.
We continued on to Detroit Lake State Campground, surrounded by evergreens and pops of red fall foliage. Oregon state campgrounds blew our California expectations out of the water: clean, spacious, and well-maintained.
Dinner was chicken thighs and rice, followed by a sunset walk and starry night under bats and geese.
🌿 Day 6: Breitenbush Hot Springs & Portland
We woke to a gorgeous sunrise over the lake before heading to Breitenbush Hot Springs. The pools were very hot (109 °F!) but beautiful, with harp music playing on the lawn. The sauna built over a thermal vent was the highlight.
After a quick lunch, we drove to Portland. Along the way, we stopped for Starbucks, a PSL frappe, and a little shoe shopping to take advantage of Oregon’s no sales tax.
We stayed at Zack’s besties place, met Charlie the chocolate lab puppy, and had dinner at Taproom: deviled eggs, parm zucchini fries, burgers, and beer. That night, Messi cried in the guest room while we were chatting downstairs, so we ended the night and went to sleep in the RV.
🎃 Day 7: Sushi, Pumpkin Patches & Portland Life
The next day included showers, sushi at Bamboo, macarons from a French bakery, and time with my Portland bestie and her boys. That evening, we visited a pumpkin patch for donuts, cider slushies, and launching pumpkins out of cannons (yes, really).
We ended the night at McMenamins Rock Creek Tavern for stout, tater tots, and cozy fall vibes before heading south to a KOA in Sutherlin.
🛣️ Day 8-9: The Long Drive Home
We left early Saturday morning, stopping at Starbucks for a pumpkin spice latte as the sun rose over Oregon. After refueling in Redding and getting propane, Zack started feeling awful. By the time we hit LA traffic, both of us were achy — it was COVID.
We made it home by 9:30 p.m., tested positive, and spent Sunday in bed recovering. Honestly, leaving a day early was a blessing — we couldn’t have driven another day sick.
💸 Oregon RV Trip Cost Breakdown
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| 🏕️ RV Parks | $546.22 |
| ⛽ Gasoline | $949.44 |
| 🚐 RV Rental | $983.24 |
| 🎃 Pumpkin Patch | $124.60 |
| 🍽️ Food & Drinks | $862.35 |
| 🧺 Miscellaneous | $594.22 ($188.24 without shoes) |
| Total | $4,059.07 (or $3,653.09 excluding shoes) |
👉 8 days, 2,400+ miles, and countless memories.
✨ Final Thoughts
This RV trip through Oregon was the perfect blend of adventure and comfort. From hot springs and waterfalls to pumpkin patches and breweries, Oregon’s natural beauty and welcoming vibe made the journey unforgettable.
If you’re planning a similar trip, my biggest tips are:
- Book state campgrounds early — they’re worth every penny.
- Bring gravity chairs — they’re perfect for stargazing.
- Pack your French press ☕
- And bring a sense of adventure—you’ll need it…
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