Poconos – Lessons Learned…

Last weekend we decided to head to the Poconos when we heard that our friends Mark & Nicole were going to be staying in Camelback. I did my research online and found an RV Park nearby. It had two pools, an arcade, live music, hayrides, basketball, tennis, shuffleboard, pool tables, café, store, you name it. I was anticipating a resort for RVs.

Not quite.

Although the Park had all of those amenities, it was primarily an old trailer park. The campsites were close together and most of the trailers were obviously there all year long. Chris and I took a walk to the pool while Dave biked around the park. I couldn’t make it in past my knees and I told Chris not to bother with the ice bucket challenge this year. Brrrrr! (Even the band wasn’t what I’d expected. They were seniors doing classic country ballads – talented, just not what I expected.)

We had a great time but next trip I’ll do better research.

We relaxed playing Scrabble & Cornhole. Finally we felt like we were getting close to nature when the sun went down and the stars came out. You just can’t see stars like that near Philly.

That being said, it was family run and they went out of their way to be as helpful as possible. Everyone we met was extremely friendly and we had a blast. We lit our fire pit, used the bathroom in the RV for the first time, and made s’mores. Over the weekend we didn’t leave the site. We feasted on lamb chops, burgers, dogs, cold cuts & salads. As we had dinner, the hayride went around the campsite multiple times. 

Nicole & Mark stopped buy for dinner after a trip to Urgent Care. Nicole almost drowned in a rafting accident when her clothes got caught on a rock. In the end she walked away with a deep ugly gash & stitches down her back.

And just a side note...

On the ride to the Poconos we had to pull over before the toll... I couldn't find our ticket. After a half hour searching, we found it in the holder on the door where I put it but flush up against it hiding from view. Then Dave mistakenly went through the EZ Pass lane & we had to pull over again. 

When driving home, we were ready to pay when the computer/register in our toll booth went down. They wouldn't even take our exact change & let us through. Of course we were the only line this was happening at but due to cars behind us, we had to wait it out. 

We keep meaning to get an EZ Pass. Mental note to order one today!

Pop-Up Party

On Memorial Day we were invited to dinner at our good friends DeeDee & Randy’s home in Wayne, PA. Although not far from our house, we decided to bring the RV. They always throw amazing parties in that neighborhood. As you can see, their driveway was a pretty great place to park!

The following weekend Dave & our buddy Chris & I took a day trip to Princeton, NJ. This was my first time riding in the back. It took some getting used to. I realized quickly that I was more comfortable with a seatbelt on. We met up with our friends Paula & Mike. Grilled up some lunch & kayaked. (Well, they kayaked. I relaxed.)

And Now to Test the Waters – Kitties in Motion!

For Mother’s Day we decided to visit Dave’s family in Harrisburg. We decided to stay overnight in my sister-in-law’s driveway. This time we brought the cats. As you can see, Keiki’s loving it but Paulie’s still panting away. Once we finally stopped and got situated, Paulie relaxed and acted more like himself. Phew!

Our First Overnighter - Bull Run, VA

Thanks to bad weather and commitments, we took a little time to get on the road. Finally, we headed to Virginia to visit with friends who live in Haymarket. We decided to stay one night at Bull Run Regional Park Campground and the next night we stayed in our friends’ driveway. We had yet to get the bathroom in the RV up and running so we were relieved that the campground restrooms and showers were very well maintained. Bull Run was a terrific campground and it exceeded my expectations. My only regret was that we didn’t have an opportunity to use the grill or fire pit.

Introducing Our “Sons” to the Newest “Family Member”

On our last trip back from Florida, we cut our trip short. We missed our boys!

Keiki & Paulie are the best cats ever but we could never take them vacationing. This became one more reason I felt the RV was a justified vehicle. (I have tendencies to rationalize.)

A little about the boys…

My cats have very different personalities. Keiki, the older of the two, is the softest kitty you’ve ever felt. I adopted him from the SPCA before I even knew David. His grey silky coat and his expressions make him look almost regal (Keiki not David.) We used to take him outside on a leash & he loves the outdoors.

Paulie is a whole different story. He came to us a few summers ago. We decided to foster a litter of five kittens and all went to good homes while Paulie waited for his forever family to adopt him. As we got to know him he quickly became part of the family. We decided we were smitten and adopted him ourselves. He’s our little tuxedo cat who always looks surprised. He follows his big brother around and it’s the greatest thing ever. Keiki could probably use a break sometimes but he’s pretty tolerant and it’s clear that they love each other. (Warms a Mother’s heart!)

We decided to bring the cats into the RV while it was stationary just to get them used to the new environment. Keiki loved it right away, exploring every inch and finding his place above the drive’s seat looking out the window.

Paulie was a whole other story. I thought he was going to have a heart attack the way he panted & meowed. I’d never seen him like that. I could only imagine what he was going to be like when we were in motion. This may take some time – or some kitty downers.

Our Impulse Buy! (aka Best Life Changing Decision Next to Marrying Each Other!)

As my husband & I vacationed, we learned two things about each other.

1.       We both hated flying.

2.       We were great in the car travelling long distances together.

We found ourselves visiting friends who moved to Maine (our home base is in the suburbs of Philadelphia) and we drove numerous times to Florida (my parents relocated there and have since reversed the aging process! – I digress…) We even drove all the way to Key West stopping in Savannah, GA along the way.

We plug in our play list and sing in the car or listen to audio books. Initially, I was against the book idea. I finally gave in to Bossy Pants read and written by Tina Fey. Time flew and we laughed the entire way down. My husband was right.

The more we took our trips, the more RVs we’d see on the road. We were addicted to the tiny house shows popping up everywhere and thought about doing something like that when we retire. On a whim, driving back from Delray Beach, FL in April, we stopped at a dealer only to find that we could actually afford this and maybe it wasn’t something we’d have to wait to enjoy after all.

We had just paid off our car so the stars seemed to align. When we returned from our trip, we went to a dealer closer to home and bought our brand new 24 ft. Coachmen Freelander!

Here I am at the dealer the day we brought it after learning the ins & outs.

And with friends celebrating in our driveway.

Welcome! Here's how it began...

Hi!

I’m Dina & Welcome to My Blog!

My husband Dave & I just purchased our first RV so I thought it was time to start documenting our amazing journey.

 

A little background…

Dave & I met in 2006. Together we fell in love with the outdoors and began hiking in the Wissahickon with friends.

Soon after, we went on our first camping trip to the New Jersey Pine Barrens. This was my first time at a campground sleeping in a tent under the stars. I was hooked. Of course I must shout out to our friends Chris & Paula who joined us & were much more familiar with camping than us newbies. I don’t think we could’ve had the feasts we did without Paula’s clams, steaks, corn on the grill, & a complete eggs & bacon breakfast each day! Being with seasoned campers definitely helped ease us into it.

Our next trip was to the Adirondacks in upstate New York. Another fabulous trip! We rented a speedboat for a day.

Finally, we took our last trip before we wed to Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, Maine. The hiking was beautiful there! If it wasn’t so cold in the winter, I could live there. The town of Bar Harbor was delightful as well.

"Look Honey, I'm CAMPING!"