In 2017, my boys and I made it a goal to explore the USA whenever we had the chance. We used weekends, holidays, and personal time to set out on adventures. That year, we managed to visit 17 states, traveling to places like Needles, California, all the way to Plant City, Florida, and many stops in between.
While we had some incredible experiences and visited amazing places, most of our trips were fairly short. Let’s be honest — there’s only so much you can see and do over a weekend.
The following year, before the pandemic hit, we didn’t travel as much. And when we did, our trips were brief, making it harder to truly immerse ourselves in each destination.
Over the past year, I’ve shifted away from quick weekend getaways and started extending our trips to four days whenever possible. I’ve also made a change to how we travel by breaking up long drives. Instead of pushing through exhausting eight to ten-hour drives, I began following the 4-4-4 RV rule, making the journey much more manageable.
4-4-4 RV Travel Rule
If you are unfamiliar with the 4-4-4- RV travel rule, it suggests that those traveling with an RV should limit driving to 400 miles or less per day, arriving before 4 PM, and staying at a destination for at least four days. This rule can help you avoid exhaustion and make your trip more enjoyable.
Once I started following that rule – whether we were renting a car or traveling by camper van – we began to slow down and actually enjoy some of the destinations. That’s not to say that micro-adventures are out the window, it just means that as I am getting older, I would like to move a bit slower through my travel experiences to enjoy them more deeply.
What is Slow Travel?
If you are unfamiliar with slow travel, it is exactly what it says – traveling slower to enjoy more deeply enriching experiences. The freedom to explore at your own pace allows you to fully immerse yourself in new places, cultures, and experiences.
With all of this in mind, I want to share seven simple ways to document your slow travel journey, so you can cherish those moments forever.
1. Snap Quick Photos with Your Phone
One of the easiest ways to document your travels is by using your phone’s camera. It’s always with you, making it convenient to capture spontaneous moments. Don’t worry about perfection—focus on snapping photos that evoke a memory, like a colorful street market, a quirky road sign, or your morning coffee view. Organize your photos into albums on your phone by location or date to keep things manageable.
Personal Tip: Use a shared photo album with family and friends so they can follow your journey in real-time. Please do not use social media, as your safety and privacy is most important.
2. Bring a Camera for High-Quality Shots
If you enjoy photography, consider bringing a dedicated camera to capture higher-quality images. I use a Nikon D5600 24.2MP DSLR Digital Camera with 18-55mm Lens.
This can be a digital camera or even a point-and-shoot model. A camera allows you to be more intentional with your photos, capturing details like landscapes, architecture, and portraits with greater depth and clarity.
Personal Tip: Set aside time each evening to review your photos and delete duplicates to keep your collection organized.I would also encourage to have them sent to be printed each night. That way when you arrive back home, you can stop by your nearest photo counter and pick up each day’s envelope of photos.
3. Embrace Nostalgia with a 35mm Film Camera
For those who love a touch of nostalgia, a 35mm film camera is a fun way to document your journey. I purchased a pink 35 mm Kodak camera from Amazon and truly enjoy using it from time to time. I also use a nostalgic novelty Split Cam which also uses film.
With film photography, it requires more thought and intention with each shot because you only have a certain number of exposures to use with each roll of film. Not only that but developing can be a bit more expensive.
Therefore, be intentional when you are shooting in film so that your travel memories are even more meaningful. Plus, there’s something magical about waiting to see how your photos turn out after developing the film.
Personal Tip: Keep a small notebook or make notes in an app of details of each roll of film—where you were, what you captured, and any memorable moments from that day. You could then transfer the notes to the backs of the photos.
4. Use an Instant Film Camera for Tangible Keepsakes
Instant film cameras like a Polaroid or Fujifilm Instax, are a great way to create tangible memories on the go. The instant gratification of having a printed photo in hand is perfect for scrapbooking or creating a travel journal. Plus, these photos make excellent conversation starters with locals or fellow travelers.
Personal Tip: Use washi tape to stick instant photos into your travel journal or planner.
5. Collect Small Memorabilia
Stickers, postcards, brochures, napkins, and ticket stubs are all inexpensive and lightweight souvenirs that can help tell the story of your journey. Place these items in a small photo album (4×6 or 5×6) to create a visual travel diary.
Using a smaller-size photo album allows you to carry it easily with you throughout the day to quickly add in memorabilia. Flip through it when you return home for an instant trip down memory lane.
Personal Tip: Look for unique, local items at each destination—like a cafe napkin with the logo, a local sticker, or a beautifully designed ticket stub.
6. Keep a Travel Journal
Journaling is a timeless way to document your thoughts, feelings, and experiences while traveling. Write about the places you visit, the people you meet, and the emotions you experience along the way. Whether you prefer a traditional travel journal or a digital journal, this practice helps you reflect and capture the essence of your journey.
Personal Tip: Don’t overcomplicate it. Just write in it each day —even short, bullet-point notes can bring back vivid memories. In 2016, we spent four days in Cave City, Kentucky.
Each day I would give my boys a scrap sheet of paper and tell them to write something about the day. When the trip was over, I arranged all those random sheets of paper into a DIY travel album connected with three binder rings. It is my favorite travel album to date.
7. Type Notes in a Notes App or Document
For a digital approach, use your phone’s notes app or a cloud-based document to jot down thoughts, observations, and ideas. This method is quick, easy, and always accessible. You can organize your notes by date or location and even add photos directly into your digital notes.
Personal Tip: At the end of your journey, compile your notes into a travel memoir or blog post to share your experiences with others. Once again, I want to stress the importance of posting after you return to ensure your privacy and safety.
Final Thoughts
Documenting your slow travel journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Choose a few methods that resonate with you, and keep things simple and fun. The most important part is to be present and enjoy the adventure—because those are the memories that will stay with you forever.
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