Blogs, random thoughts, travel
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Not All Campgrounds are Created Equal
One time at a KOA west of Yellowstone we were packed tight like sardines, the showers were one degree above frigid, and the campers next to us were growing broccoli on their picnic table. In the Poconos our van haphazardly huddled around the electric outlet with several other RVs trying to get juice to keep us warm on a wet, cold night. And once in Maine we confirmed the campground had showers only to walk in to the building and discover they were coin-operated with no change machine on site and all of our quarters had gone toward washing our clothes! No, our experiences have not been great.Until a couple weeks ago, that is.
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Pure Michigan
As we pulled up to the Sleeping Bear entrance booth, a ranger slid her window open and greeted us with “We were expecting you today!”. What a warm welcome! -
More Michigan
We knew we needed some “touristy” information on Michigan so we made it a priority to find a welcome center for some maps and brochures. After a Google search, the first one we were led to showed no signs of ever existing. The next closest one was physically there, but judging by the plants we could see through the windows, had been closed for several weeks. -
Border Crossings
Eventually a woman leaned out of a window and waved me forward. I asked if I did something wrong at the scanner but she ignored my question. I handed her our passports showing we were US citizens. She still asked where we were going and did we have a reservation for tonight? (I’m thinking: ‘I’m an American, does it really matter where I’m going?’ but of course did my best to come up with the name of a state park we were going to camp in that night.) Then she asked ‘was this a camper with a bed and was anyone sleeping in the back?’ I replied it was just the two of us. I was not about to let her know there was a passenger with Chihuahua Mexican-heritage, without a passport, snoring on the floorboard between our seats! Annie may have lived on the streets for a while, but she could not have survived serving time in a border holding cell at this point in her privileged life. -
Veterans Making Rookie Mistakes
Our plan was to walk the shoreline to the Big Sable Point Lighthouse. An online map I consulted offered a confusing trail, that looked like a road, that began in a campground somewhere behind us. No, we were still going with our idea to walk the shoreline. I grabbed a light backpack to carry the Nikon camera. We debated going barefoot since it was going to be a walk on the sand but ultimately we each grabbed some waterproof shoes and tossed them in the backpack. -
Impromptu Blue Ridge Parkway Trip
We said we would stop at just one overlook but that’s like eating one potato chip. I found myself pulling into each one that offered a view. The leaves in this lower elevation area were just beginning to change colors. I have a favorite tree on the Parkway at the Craggy Dome Overlook and it was my goal to get there. -
You Meet the Nicest People
The man in the Ford Transit van came out and we struck up a conversation. I was as mesmerized by his Minnesota accent as he may have been by my southern drawl. (Asking ‘where y’all headed?’ tends to indicate I ain’t from around there). -
Oops I Did It Again
With much less trepidation than the first time around, I published a second book this week. “Living With Wanda 2: Campervan Adventures Continue” is now available on Amazon as a Kindle eBook or in paperback. -
Lake Day
Last weekend Jenni and I spent a day cruising Lake Keowee with our immediate family while we celebrated Jenni’s birthday. It was a day of building... -
Wildlife Goals
Basically to see wildlife in the parks you watch other people. As we entered Yellowstone, we asked one ranger if there were any carcasses attracting bears or wolves. (Obvious by her reaction it wasn’t the first time she had been asked such a thing.) -
Great Planners
All this activity had Annie super excited! She followed every step we made. About 2 PM we loaded her up and left. She was panting and trying her best to put down the window as we drove out of the driveway. After the first twenty yards we looked at each other and remarked that we had forgotten our wedding rings. We decided it wasn’t worth turning back for them. But that must have gotten Jenni thinking about other things we forgot. Less than a mile from home, she asked if I had packed Annie’s leash. I had not. -
Pilot Cove
Pilot Cove is a 20 cabin complex tastefully constructed at the gateway of the Pisgah National Forest in Brevard, NC. In fact, their website describes them as the “Gateway to Adventure” and that they are.Jenni and I, along with our dog Annie, had the privilege of spending a few days in one of their two-bedroom units. (They also have efficiency and one-bedroom to meet a variety of needs.) We used the cabin as a springboard to the hundreds of waterfalls in the Pisgah Forest and Transylvania County, as well as exploring the fabulous City of Brevard.
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