Deb, butterflies are good. Me? I had vultures circling, but still I made my maiden voyage safely. But once I got my "road legs" and figured I could handle most things that come up on the road, it all evened out. I still have nerves in preparation for trips.
Ghosts, however, are another thing. Bring some tissue, and if you need to, pull off the road and cry it out. (Sometimes I can't see! LOL) I try not to mix up grief and fear, although they can get all balled up together anyway. While fear can be overcome by doing, grief just is a visitor.
I didn't RV with my late DH, so my motor home travel is my way of building a new life. This week I went to Bryce Canyon NP for the eclipse, and I cried several times as I remembered us exploring the byways -- by car, of course. And sleeping in tents. On the ground. In the cold. THAT will temper those tender memories!