The second üCamp rally was held in July 2018 in Sugarcreek, Ohio, at Winklepleck Grove Campground. Approximately 160 sites were filled with tiny trailers from all over the United States and Canada. The largest number of campers represented was the T@B 320, but there were also at least twenty each T@B 400s and T@Gs. We own a T@G MAX XL and were excited to see so many other tiny campers.
Site 1B, Winklepeck Grove Campground
Winklepeck Grove Campground
Winklepeck is a primitive campground in a large shady grove. It is beautiful, but does not have flush toilets or showers. However, nüCamp brought in two shower trailers and a large number of VIP portable toilets. The portable toilets were okay until the last day before they pumped them. So we were going into town and using the public restrooms near the fire station on that day.
The campground split the electricity among two campers for each site and it split the water as well. However, we had all that we needed, including running the air conditioner and microwave.
Winklepeck Grove Campground
Rally Activities
There were many fun things to do during the rally, but it seemed that everyone’s favorite was to walk the campground and meet fellow nüCamp trailer owners. Also, it was cool to talk with those who had the same size camper and see their modifications and how they were using theirs. Lastly, it was nice to see the larger models and maybe even consider an upgrade.
Several meals were provided, plus great entertainment the last night featuring two local sisters called Kodachrome Babies. They were very good and sang some amazing oldies.
Rally ScheduleSome meals and events under the big tentWine and cheese night
Factory Tour
The highlight of the trip was the tour of the factory so we could see how these tiny trailers are made.
nüCamp Factory
The factory is in the heart of Amish country and many of the employees are Amish. The quality of the work is evident and well-recognized within the industry.
Amish Buggies at the last night’s dinnerScott Hubble, nüCamp CEOAssembly line for T@GsReady for Delivery
We were on the second tour. Scott Hubble, the CEO, gave a presentation at the beginning of the tour about the history of the company and its current initiatives. He then answered questions. After his presentation, he turned everyone loose to explore the facility. Our friends told us that Joe Mullet, the founder and President of the company, gave the first tour. They said he shared about his personal struggles at the beginning of the company.
The factory was immaculate and seemed very well organized. We left with an even stronger impression that this organization really cares about its customers and making a quality product.
Conclusion
In my opinion, üCamp 18 was a huge success. It was a well-organized and a thoroughly enjoyable event. We were sad to leave this wonderful gathering of tiny camper owners. Many had commented to us that this trip was the highlight of their year and I would have to agree.
Sunset at Winklepeck
Mandy Lea is a well-known photographer who has lived in several nüCamp trailers and has produced YouTube videos about them. She presented the large panoramic picture below to the Company’s leadership on the last night and had some beautiful things to say about them.
Mandy Lea’s gift to nüCamp
So we loved üCamp 18 and hope to be there again next year! If you would like to follow us, here is a link.
We love visiting big cities! There is always so much to see. Also, each city has its own personality. A visit to Chicago has been on my bucket list for a long time and this summer seemed a good time. As we live in the hot and humid south, traveling north also offered a hope of cooler weather.
While most of our travels occur in our teardrop camper, our big city traveling methods are quite different. We don’t like to drive in big cities and parking rates are exorbitant, so we always fly to our destination. Also, we like to stay at a hotel close to most of the places we want to visit and in a safe neighborhood.
Our Chicago Digs
We chose the Ambassador Hotel in the Gold Coast neighborhood for our five-night stay in Chicago because the area is very nice and close to public transportation. The recently remodeled hotel was built in 1926 and was visited by many celebrities over the years. While no longer considered a luxury hotel, it still features luxury linens and a very comfortable bed.
Ambassador HotelRoom 306
We did a good bit of walking in the area to catch the bus or train and really enjoyed the scenery. The Gold Coast neighborhood was incredible, with gorgeous mansions and lovely landscaping on almost every street. The Original Playboy Mansion was just a few blocks away and we had to check it out. Many celebrities have visited, including Warren Beatty and the Rolling Stones. In the 1970’s, Hefner leased the building to the Art Institute of Chicago at a rate of $10 a year. Currently, condominiums are in the building and the last one was on the market at $3.4 million.
Original Playboy Mansion
Getting Around in Chicago
The Chicago Transit Authority is an exceptional public transit system that is inexpensive, yet easy to maneuver. From our hotel, it was a three block walk to the 151 bus that goes through the Magnificent Mile all the way to the Art Institute. We also used the trains. The Red Line at Clark/Division was about four blocks from the hotel. One can get a single day pass for unlimited use for busses and trains for only ten dollars a day. There is also a three-day pass for twenty dollars.
Our stop near the hotel
We took the Blue Line from the airport to downtown, which was inexpensive and efficient. However, on our return to the airport, we took a Lyft to ensure prompt arrival for our return flight.
Architectural River Cruise
Most noteworthy, Chicago is a city of skyscrapers. So, one of our favorite attractions was the River Cruise on Chicago’s First Lady. Several companies provide cruises, but we took the one by the Chicago Architecture Foundation led by volunteer docents. Jane, our docent, was very knowledgeable! She gave us a lot of background details of the city. Also, she had tons of information about the architecture of the Chicago skyscrapers along the path of the river. I must admit that quite a bit was unfamiliar to me. I love architecture, but am not very knowledgeable. Nonetheless, the tour was amazing. Our tour was in the late afternoon and the weather was perfect.
Below is the Wrigley Building built in 1924.
Wrigley Building, European-Renaissance-inspired, modeled after a building in Spain
The tallest building in Chicago is the 110-story, 1,450-foot Willis (formerly Sears) Tower is below. It is the second tallest building in the United States. Immediately in front of it is the Post Modern, 65-story 311 South Wacker Building, measuring 961 feet.
Willis Tower (bundled tube construction) and 311 South Wacker (post modern)Enjoying tour along the Chicago River
Millennium Park and Cloud Gate
The 24.5 acre public park is dedicated to celebrating the third millennium. It includes Cloud Gate, which is a large sculpture, plus a video display, and an outdoor theater.
Cloud Gate, aka the “Bean”, is a 12-foot, 110-ton highly reflective sculpture made of polished stainless steel. Most noteworthy, it is a major tourist attraction and a primo place for selfies. In the photo below, my big guy is in front of the Bean on the right. If you zoom in on the red circle, you can also see me snapping the shot. The bean is such an interesting sculpture!
My big guy and the beanOur reflection on the Bean
The Art Institute of Chicago
The art museum was my most anticipated attraction in Chicago. Yet, it still exceeded expectations. The museum, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. We spent most of a day there and I took tons of pictures, which I will enjoy far into the future.
Art Institute of Chicago
I was thrilled to see Seurat’s famous Post-Impressionist painting below that utilizes the pointillism technique. The painting is quite large. It was one of the most memorable work from my Art Appreciation class many years ago.
Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte-1884
The museum has works by all the greats. I read that it has more Impressionist paintings than anywhere except the Louvre. I loved it! My big guy likes it, but not like I. When he had seen enough, he sat patiently and interacted on social media while I roamed the museum.
Navy Pier
The pier is a popular tourist destination. It is 3,300 feet long and offers beautiful views of the city. Tours by land, water, or air are available. An enormous building houses tons of restaurants, an IMAX theater, a Children’s Museum, a Shakespeare theater, and multiple shops. Outside, there is the large Centinnial Wheel and smaller rides for children.
Navy Pier
We rode the wheel and it offered incredible views in a very comfortable, climate-controlled environment.
View from Centennial Wheel
Lastly, there was a piece of public art made of reflective material similar to the Bean, except it makes you look skinny. Loved it!
We “seem” to have lost a few pounds
Lincoln Park
We spent most of a day at Lincoln Park. We visited the zoo, the Conservatory, and the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool. All were amazing and totally free! Parking is very expensive, but the bus stops right where you need it.
The Zoo
The zoo, founded in 1868, is one of the oldest zoos in North America. It was a hot day and we did not want to do a lot of walking, so we did not spend a lot of time in the zoo. Not having to pay an admission price, a rarity for zoos these days, made it easy to do this. Surprisingly, I had an amazing time, up close and personal, with the polar bears. The habitat features a pool with a clear partition between the bears and visitors. One bear really put on a show!
Polar Bear
I was standing next to the glass and it was exhilarating to see the bear swim by so close. He did this multiple times and the crowd loved it! What an experience!
Polar bear up close
The Conservatory
In addition to being free, docents are on site at the conservatory on weekends. They provide lots of great information about the tropical plants housed in the Victorian Era glass house, built in the late 1880s. Norman, the docent for our tour, was great. He explained how the different plants are propagated. Some are manually manipulated at great effort by Conservatory staff. It appears that a lot of work is required to sustain this beautiful Conservatory.
Lincoln Park ConservatoryEnglish Garden
The Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool
The Lily Pool was also free with a docent available for tours on the weekend. Jean was our docent and she added so much to our appreciation of the Lily Pool. It is an example of Prarie School landscape architecture. Originally built in 1889, it was restored in 1997. It was so beautiful and peaceful!
Lily Pool
Chicago Water Tower
The Water Tower was built in 1869 and is one of the few buildings to survive the fire of 1871.
I first saw the tower in a Thomas Kincaid impressionistic painting. I loved the painting but did not buy it initially. About lusting over it for about a year, I was ready to buy, but it was sold out. Kincaid later did another version of the Water Tower. I did not like it as much, but purchased it anyway. I was so happy to be able to see the real thing in Chicago. My painting is below, followed by the actual building.
Thomas Kincaid’s Chicago Water Tower
Chicago Water Tower
John Hancock Signature Room
We had cocktails in the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building. The drinks were especially good and the views incredible.
Rose Picante at the Signature Room
A Free Concert
We attended an amazing performance by Lynne Jordan and the Shivers in the Summer Concert Series at the Plaza. They were outstanding and the concert was free!
Lynn Jordan and the Shivers
Other Stops
Buckingham Fountain is one of the largest fountains in the world. Beginning at 8pm, a show begins with music and fountain activity. We were there for this show. However, it was not yet dark and the lights were not on. We wanted to see the 9 pm show with the lights, but were exhausted.
Buckingham Fountain
I dipped my toes into Lake Michigan, the first Great Lake I have ever witnessed in person. This was at the Oak Street Beach and the water was pretty cold.
Checking out Lake Michigan
We also visited the iconic Palmer House Lobby. It was Chicago’s first hotel with operating elevators and electric lightbulbs and telephones in the guest rooms. It was impressive.
Palmer House Lobby
Lastly, we visited the Three Arts Club building, a historic landmark near our hotel. It was built in 1914 to provide a safe and supportive residence for young women studying the arts. The Byzantine style entrance contains mosaics representing music, drama, and painting . Currently, RH Modern, a furniture chain, is in the enormous building. We loved looking at the room displays. An upscale restaurant, Three Arts, is also in the atrium inside.
Three Arts Club
Chicago Food
Deep dish pizza was high on our list and two chains are highly-rated, Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s. We tried and liked both, but preferred Lou’s.
Chicago style hot dogs were also high on my husband’s list. His favorite was the traditional, but with Italian sausage. It is traditionally served on a poppy seed bun with mustard, kosher pickle spear, chopped onion, pickle relish, Roma tomatoes, celery salt, and sports peppers. However, no catsup! He tried it at Downtown Dogs and loved it. I had the same except with a beef frank.
We had macaroons and cookies at Sugar Bliss, which is inside the Palmer House Hotel. It had many macaroon flavors just like you would see in Paris. One flavor, Rose, tasted like a rose smells, but in a good way. Just thinking about them is giving me cravings.
Garrett’s Popcorn is a Chicago staple, so we tried the Garrett mix. It is a delicious blend of very cheesy and caramel popcorn. It sounds awful, but is surprisingly delicious.
The Weather
We hoped to escape the sweltering weather of the south and were graced with three perfect days. It was the kind of weather where it is so glorious to be outside. But, our last two days were unseasonably hot and humid—even hotter than Alabama. Therefore, we visited Lincoln Park and the art museum on those days and it made our days a little easier.
Chicago Wrap-Up
We loved our time in Chicago. It is a very dynamic, friendly city with so such to see and do. Seeing the Seurat painting and the Water Tower was very special to me. Though we did not do everything on my list, we hit the high points.
If you like visiting big cities too, this link is to a post about our trip to Los Angeles earlier this year.
We have attempted camping in the south during the summer and were uncomfortably hot because my husband and I are very hot natured. After some very hot days last year, I vowed that we would always travel north for the summer. This will be our first long summer camping trip and we are very excited about it. We took our first long trip last winter out west. It was for a similar length of time, but we traveled many more miles in that first trip.
This summer camping trip will last twenty-eight days covering 2,773 miles in fourteen stops. It includes approximately forty-five hours driving time. This trip is much more leisurely than our first long trip with longer stays and fewer miles between stops.
We expect to see three of the Great Lakes and two larger cities, Cleveland and Indianapolis. Our most anticipated area is Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It is our understanding that it is incredible.
Goal: Camping in Each State
Teardrop camping became a major activity for us nearly two years ago, when we first retired. Our camping retirement goal is to camp in each state in the United States. So far, we only have fourteen states, but this trip will get us four more: Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana.
Kentucky is pretty far south, so we will still have hot weather, but are counting on the other three states to be more comfortable. July average high temperatures are around 90 degrees in our state, with lots of humidity! Not much cooler, the average high temperature for Kentucky is in the high 80s. However, Ohio highs are in the low to mid 80s and Michigan highs are around 80. We will be on the road for twenty-eight days, so we are really hoping it will not be miserably hot.
Visiting with Cousins and Friends
Our trip has two stopovers, one with cousins in Kentucky and one in Michigan with friends we have traveled with in the past.
One of my husband’s favorite cousins lives with his wife in Kentucky and we will be staying with them a couple of nights. While there, we will have all the comforts of their home and our teardrop will be parked at their house. The stop is early on our trip and we are really looking forward to spending time with them!
The visit with friends in Kalamazoo is nearer to the end of our trip. We will be camping in our teardrop on their property for a couple of nights. This would be a first for us as we have only camped at campgrounds in the past.
uCamp 18
The second annual rally hosted by nuCamp is the cornerstone of our trip because we have their T@G MAX XL camper. The rally is held in Sugarcreek, Ohio, near the factory where all nuCamp campers are manufactured. They also produce a larger camper we are considering, the T@B 400. Owners of their campers come from all over to attend this rally, which includes a tour of the factory. We missed the first rally, but it looked like a great time based on the feedback we have seen.
The dates for the rally were set, so we planned the remainder of the trip around it.
Reservations
We have reservations at every stop on this trip because it is a popular time for camping in the areas we are visiting. Four nights are with friends/ relatives, five are at the rally, and four are in National Forests. Also, we were fortunate to book a good bit of time at State Parks: one night in Ohio, five nights in Michigan, and three nights in Indiana. We only have four nights at private campgrounds, this is to be near the two larger cities we will be visiting. Lastly, we have two nights at a National Park.
I love that we know where we are going and that we are staying at desirable places. However, we could not stay everywhere we wanted. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was already fully booked, despite the fact that I was booking about four months in advance.
Unfortunately, there can be a downside to prior reservations. If something happens and you need to leave early or stay longer, it can create problems.
Dry Camping
We have booked three nights at campgrounds with no electricity. This will be a first for us. Our most recent camping purchase was solar panels and we hope they will make it a pleasant experience. We have read posts from many campers who seem to manage well without electricity provided at campsites. I really hope we can join their ranks! If we can do this successfully, it opens the door to all kinds of boondocking options!
Packing for Summer Camping
As it will be summer, we do not need to pack any heavy clothing, but we might need a light jacket for a cooler evening. I plan to take more changes of clothing than on our prior trip because I do not anticipate as many opportunities to do laundry.
We have a standard camping checklist, but some optional items are needed. From the optional category, we will take our smaller side tent on this trip and, of course, the solar panels. We will also need the awning, porta potty, and privacy tent. We will pack using our typical packing method.
I also anticipate more cooking on this trip than our first long trip. However, I really want to keep it simple. More planning is needed in this area.
Conclusion
This summer camping trip will indeed be an adventure for us. We have never before spent any time in these four states and everything will be new to us. The rally should be a lot of fun and the dry camping will be a challenge. Can’t wait for it all to begin!
Update
Our summer camping trip was wonderful! We saw some amazing sights and met lots of friendly people. If you are interested in reading how the trip went, below are links to posts for each area.
Shoulder problems; one of the joys of getting older! Now sixty-seven, I am very aware of how the aging process impacts mobility, energy, and the ability to do everything you might desire. But, I have been actively trying to fight the ravages of age. My fight included trips to the gym three to four times a week for classes in strength training and cardio. I have tried to keep my weight down as well, but that is a constant battle. Overall though, I have felt pretty good and could do most things I wished.
My husband and I are recently retired and are trying to live our lives as actively as possible for as long as our health allows. Below is a link to an earlier post about some other health issues we have had.
My shoulder started really bothering me about a year ago. Sleeping on it in the car returning from a camping trip resulted in pain in my bicep and a limited range of motion. I could not fully raise my arm and was limited in putting it behind my back.
I dealt with the issue by doing stretches that I found online. They helped and my strength training classes (Body Pump) also helped. However, I did not get back my range of motion. I could no longer do a favorite yoga stretch, Child’s Pose. In spite of this, I rocked on for a year keeping most of the shoulder problems at bay.
Recently though, it was beginning to feel very tight when I put a barbell on my shoulder, which is a frequent task in Body Pump. At that time, we were about to take a monthlong camping trip. I speculated that the classes might be aggravating my shoulder and that a break might help the situation. Boy was I wrong! While traveling, my shoulder became much worse. Sometimes, it hurt to just reach for something. When I returned, I could barely place the barbell in position and it really hurt when I did.
Orthopedic Assessment
It was time to bring in the big guns. My internist at the local healthcare system referred me to Orthopedist who specializes in shoulders. I was expecting an impingement and physical therapy and nothing more.
On the day of my visit, they first took x-rays. The doctor immediately referred to my x-rays when he came into the examination room. He asked if I had seen them and I replied that I had not. I was led into the hall where a screen had my x-rays was displayed. The doctor stated that I had arthritis and two bone spurs. As he pointed to the two bone spurs, I was dismayed that I had no trouble seeing them. They were very prominent in the x-ray. I was not expecting this! Somehow, I had felt that if I worked very hard at staying fit, this kind of thing would be far down the road for me.
So, what should I do about my shoulder? He said that I would eventually need a shoulder replacement, but in the meantime some physical therapy and ice plus Advil for the pain. I felt as if I had a ticking bomb in my shoulder.
Physical Therapy
I heard about ATI Physical Therapy from a neighbor. My husband did not do well using another company for his knee, so I was ready to try ATI. I went twice a week for about four weeks. Stretching was a big part of my therapy, plus strengthening exercises. It seemed to help, but my shoulder was nowhere near normal.
ATI did, however, greatly enhance my ability to lift my arm over my head. This resulted from a process called dry needling in which the therapist inserted needles under my arm. It was pretty painful, but after that, I could lift my arm to a normal range. I could even do the yoga stretch, Child’s Pose. I highly recommend needling, assuming you have a qualified therapist.
After the needling, it was easier for me to get the barbell on my shoulder as well. However, after just a week away from the classes makes it somewhat more difficult.
The local ATI Physical Therapy Clinic did a great job for me. I don’t think the return to a normal shoulder is a reasonable expectation given what my orthopedist said about the condition of my shoulder. I believe my outcome was quite good, all things considered. A link to ATI follows.
It is now very important for me to do regular stretching. If I skip a day or so, I experience more pain. The strength exercises are important as well. Putting the barbell on my shoulder is also a very good stretch for me.
This is not really the end of the story though. My shoulder problems still exist and in the future, a shoulder replacement awaits. I just want to delay it for as long as possible.
Our son and his girlfriend, Laura, rented a condominium at Redington Shores and invited Laura’s Mom, my husband, and me to stay with them. This was our second trip to Redington Shores. Next, is a link to that first trip.
First of all, our time at Redington Shores was all about the beach. Everyone but my husband loved spending most of every day lounging on the beach. It was indeed beautiful.
Beach view
Our son and his girlfriend never tire of the beach and the water. They are active scuba divers and our son just became certified as a master diver. Also, he is certified as a rescue diver. His girlfriend is an advanced diver. As a woman who must hold her nose when going underwater, I am very impressed by their accomplishments.
Our hosts
Rose is Laura’s mother. She likes to walk on the beach and recorded over 10,000 steps a couple of times while there. I walked with her some of the time, but not anywhere near 10,000 steps.
The Moms
My big guy is not a fan of the beach. However, he was a very good sport. He sat on the beach with us some of the time and spent the rest of the time at the condo.
My big guyLaura and me enjoying the beachOur sonOur little spot of paradiseEgret in the water
The weather was gorgeous a couple of days while we were there. However, it was quite windy and cloudy the other days. Also, sometimes it rained. Yet, we managed to get time on the beach every day but one.
Gorgeous Sunsets
Our days at Redington Shores ended with beautiful sunsets. We had a great view of them from the balcony.
Rainbow
There was also an amazing rainbow after one of the rainy days.
The beach at sunset
Most of all, we never tired of the beauty of sunsets over the water. We watched them every evening.
Another beautiful sunset
Evening Entertainment
Games were a big part of our entertainment. We played Mexican Train Dominos and the card game, Five Crowns. It was lots of fun!
Hockey playoffs also were a part of our evenings. The local team, the Lightning Bolts, won the two games that were on while we were there. It was exciting for our Bolt fans!
Meals at the Beach
Laura was a gracious hostess and prepared us several delicious meals. Additionally, they took us to Sea Breeze, our favorite local restaurant, one night to celebrate Mother’s Day. We really enjoyed it.
We also had dinner one night at Slyce, a pizza restaurant. It was pretty cool with live music.
Dinner at Slyce
Snacks and sandwiches were for lunch and cheesecake and blueberry pie for dessert. We consumed way too much food overall and will have to cut way back on eating when we return home.
My Beach Read
I ordered a book from our local library, “The Woman in the Window”, by A.J. Finn. I loved reading it while lying on the beach!
It is about a reclusive woman, way too observant of her neighbors, who believes she has witnessed a crime. The plot twists are masterful and a movie based on the book is currently in development. I highly recommend this book!
Conclusion
It was a lovely time at Redington Shores, but the best part was spending quality time with family.
The Key Lime Rally was a gathering of the group, Firty and Over RV’ers – Life on the Road. The rally was held at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores and almost 300 Key Limers were in attendance.
This was our second time to camp at Gulf State, one of our favorite parks. Our earlier trip is described in the following link. We were right on the water that trip and as a result, I was very worried about alligators. https://www.bigguytinytrailer.com/2016/12/
Gulf State Park offers everything you could want in a state park and it is located in a desirable resort area. Beautiful biking trails, spacious sites, and a nice large pool make it also a great place to camp. http://www.alapark.com/gulf-state-park
We enjoyed beautiful weather the entire five days we were there, with highs in the upper 70s and lows in the upper 50s. However, we were in the South! The humidity made it quite hot at midday if you were not in a shaded area.
Our site had shade in the late afternoon, but was in direct sunlight most of the day. Therefore, we were happy to have our screen room to provide a little shade. Because we registered late for the rally, we were a good distance from Key Lime Rally activities. (Several camp sites were designed Camp Lime and it was the main gathering place.)
Campsite 76 at Gulf State ParkInside our 10×10 side tent
Visiting with Good Friends
Our very good friends—the ones who originally talked us into camping—recently moved to Florida. They met us at the campground and stayed a couple of nights before heading on to the Grand Canyon. We loved having them there; it really made this trip special! We had dinner with them the night before the rally. The next day, we spent some quality time on the beach and in the pool. Very relaxing!
Our friends soaking up some sunChilling at the beach
Key Lime Events Day 1
The rally organizer very graciously allowed our friends to attend the Key Lime Bash at the Beach, the first official night of the rally. It was held at Gulf State Pavilion, which is right on the beach. Fresh gulf shrimp was served for dinner and bread pudding for dessert. Key Lime Rally members decorated the tables and they were amazing. For entertainment, Elvis performed for us!
Elvis was in the BuildingMy friend Peggy and me
Key Lime Events Day 2
The rally was like a well-oiled machine! There was a morning coffee, then a craft fair and yard sale, CPR training, a corn hole tournament and an Instant Pot cooking demo. We did not attend them, but went with a smaller group on a Dolphin Cruise that afternoon. Others also played Key Lime Bingo and went on a tour of Group 1’s rigs.
View from the Dolphin Cruise
A Key Lime Food and Drink contest preceded dinner, which was a Quatro de Mayo Fiesta at Camp Lime. Key Lime members and the Key Limer Band provided the entertainment and it included some specially written songs that were quite funny.
In addition, there were door prizes. Group members had contributed gifts for contests and door prizes. My husband won a great door prize, a basket full of collapsible bowls, measuring cups, and spoons. It was a very nice gift!
So, it was a great day to be a Key Limer!
Key Lime Events Day 3
Day 3 was more laid back and everyone was on their own for dinner. Also, there was a Balloon Festival in Foley that afternoon, which many were attending. The morning activities were Rock Painting Class, a Pet Parade, Corn Hole Tournament, and a tour of Group 2 Rigs.
Therefore, we took this opportunity to enjoy our campsite in the morning and to have an early dinner at a local seafood restaurant. The Fish River Grill was pretty tasty and I had a margarita to honor Cinco de Mayo.
Late lunch at Fish River Grill #3
Finally, we rounded out our day at the Gulf State Pier. The water was beautiful and it was nice to just hang out there for awhile and enjoy the view.
View of the beach from the pierHanging out at the Gulf State Park Pier
Key Lime Events Day 4
The day began with a nondenominational worship service, a great way to start our Sunday morning. Soon after, there was a Dutch Oven Cooking Class given by Dave, a master in the field. I had never seen this type of cooking before and found it fascinating. Audience members assisted in cooking a pork tenderloin with sweet potatoes in one pot and a pineapple upside down cake in another. All were delicious!
Dutch Oven Cooking ClassPineapple upside down cake cooked in a Dutch Oven
Next, we attended a wine tasting. Group members each brought a bottle of wine and many also brought snacks. There was a great variety of lovely wines and some awesome snacks. One lady brought the best stuffed jalapeño peppers I have ever tasted. It was a very enjoyable afternoon.
Dinner that night was again at the Pavilion and it was a luau. Key Limers were dressed in their best tropical attire. There were hula dancers who also danced with fire, led a limbo contest, and conga line. Additionally, there were more door prizes and I won a bottle of wine!
We were sad to see the Key Lime Rally ending because it was such a great experience. Most of all, we loved that we met lots of really nice people. We felt we already knew some of them from online posts and it was great to finally meet them in person.
Fire dancersSunset from the Pavilion
In conclusion, Aloha Key Limers and Happy Camping!
This post is for new campers who may not be aware of important maintenance that should be routinely performed on the wheels of their campers for safety.
Reasons for Wheel Bearing Maintenance
Wheel bearing maintenance is not an exciting topic, but it is something in which campers should know. As members of several Facebook camping groups, we have learned that wheel bearings on campers should be packed with grease routinely. On this topic, we have seen recommendations for annually and for every 10,000 miles.
This maintenance prevents unnecessary friction on the bearings and enables the identification of worn bearings or a dry axel. Grease breaks down over time and the heat generated during braking speeds up that process. Therefore, adding fresh grease addresses this problem.
This maintenance is an important safety procedure. First, if bearings are not properly greased, the wheels could lock up and cause an accident. Additionally, the axel could also be damaged by improperly greased wheels.
Our Wheel Bearing Maintenance
As we have had our camper for about eighteen months and have towed it close to 10,000 miles. Clearly, it was time to perform this maintenance.
We contacted a local RV dealer to have the work done as my husband has a very bad knee. They said that they do not usually do the work and that it would be a significant wait. However, they informed us that a local tire dealer has a person who routinely does this task. We contacted him and got an early morning appointment. The technician completed the task in a couple of hours for $150.
E-Z Lube System
We later learned that if you have one of the later NuCamp campers with the E-Z Lube System, it is a very easy and quick process to add fresh and remove old grease using a grease gun. Our camper has this Lube System. The link below is to a very informative video with detailed instructions. If we had known it would be this easy, we would have done this ourselves.
It seems that many who own campers do this work themselves. To assist, there are several YouTube videos with detailed instructions. It is my understanding that it does not require a lot of special tools.
Sealed Bearings on Some Models
There is one last bit of information provided by a reader of this post. Early T@B models have sealed bearings that cannot be cleaned or repacked and it was recommended that owners keep a set of bearings with them as spares. This is probably true for some other camper models as well. It would be a good idea to determine if this is true for your camper if you have an older model.
Whether you do it yourself or find an expert to do the job for you, I encourage new campers to not ignore wheel bearing maintenance, an important safety task.
If you would like to read more about what we have learned on our camping adventures, we have a Camping Resources page for new campers you might want to visit.
This post is directed to new campers who have not yet made a long trip. Included is detailed information that would have been helpful to us. The trip was four times longer than our previous ones and just under 5,000 miles. It gave us an opportunity to see nine states and three national parks.
First Long Camping Trip Recap
Our first long camping trip was four times longer than our previous trips and nine times as many miles. The trip lasted twenty-seven days during the last month of winter, beginning mid-February and ending mid-March. We camped in Mississippi, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
We wanted to accomplish a few things. First, to get away from the boredom and cold of winter, so we needed to go south. With a teardrop camper, we would not be comfortable if was very cold outside. Second, we wanted to visit as many states as was practical. We have a goal to camp in all the lower forty-eight. A southwestern path all the way to California became our choice with a more northerly return to include a Utah if the weather permitted. Lastly, we wanted to experience something of the local area at each stop, knowing we could not see everything. An earlier post details the planning we did for this first long camping trip. Planning That First Long Trip
Our Concerns
It was an ambitious goal for us of towing just under 5,000 miles, much in areas we have not visited nor driven. It was also a lot of together time. We generally get along well together, but a month in a vehicle and tiny camper was new territory indeed!
First long trip
The Campgrounds
There were stops in 17 different areas, nine states, and 18 campgrounds. The type of campground with number of visits and average costs per night were as follows:
Five State Parks, $27.11
One County Park, $20
Five KOAs, $40.49 (with KOA membership)
Three Small Commercial Campgrounds, $27.77
Three Large Commercial Campgrounds, $45.13
One Large Commercial Campground Overflow, $15
The campground prices did guarantee enjoyment of them. Ironically, the most expensive campground was our least favorite. The small campgrounds and State Parks were overall the best, offering a comfortable stay, reasonable privacy, and a relatively low price. The KOAs were consistently near popular areas and provided full hookups, laundry, and nice bathhouses. The large RV campgrounds were our least favorite. They offered full services and generally some extra entertainment, but little privacy. They seemed to cater to longer term guests.
Campground Challenges
Two campgrounds did not have showers. Okay for one night, longer stays or a string of them would not be desirable. One had pit toilets, but it was not an issue. We were in overflow one night at a large RV campground with no electricity and water. The water was not an issue as we had access to very nice facilities, but we sorely missed the electricity. We were a bit cold overnight and concerned we would drain our battery.
Though we visited three national parks, we did not stay at the national campgrounds. Most sites did not have hookups and we did not have solar panels or a generator. Also, reservations should be made early for the national parks as they fill up quickly.
To Reserve or Not
Reservations give you a better shot at desired campgrounds, but take away flexibility. If you are having a very good or very bad time in an area, you may not be able to cut your stay short or stay longer if reservations are upcoming. Also, we were traveling in the winter in a camper that does not provide comfortable daytime accommodations. Our solution was to book the first few sites, including Big Bend, the single national park we were certain to visit. We wanted to visit two others in Utah, but they are much further north. If the weather was bad, we did not want to risk travel in ice or snow.
It actually worked out well for us. We booked stops one, two, three, and five. The remainder were booked a couple of days out. We were very lucky to get our spot at Augua Caliente State Park in California, but struggled in Tucson and spent one night without electricity.
If traveling during the popular times in an area, reservations are more critical. We are making a second long trip later in the year and are reserving all the stops, but will be traveling during popular times.
Our Campsites
We did not stay long at any one place and spent the majority of our time away from the campgrounds, so our set up was always very simple. If we were only at a site for one night, we often did not even connect the water as it was cold outside in the early morning and we frequently had breakfast away from our camp.
Setup and breakdown was very quick and easy. We just put the items that were being transported in the cabin on a picnic table, stabilized the camper, and plugged in the electricity. Below is an example of how simple our sites were for much of the trip. We were basically traveling with our camper as our bed versus spending time in a campground.
Hurricane Utah
We used our Kingcamp awning a few times in places with longer stays when shade was needed. It was nice to have and setup was quick and easy.
Yuma Arizona
Packed Versus Needed
Two items were never used: a small attachable tent and a porta potty. We managed to always be within a reasonable distance from restrooms and the tent was not needed as so much time was spent away from the sites.
We took a bit more food than was needed and had our footlocker with all our dishes. Had we known how little cooking would be done, we could have greatly reduced the dishes. We also took a small folding table that was only used once. We could have easily done without the table.
Clothing for a week was packed with the intent to do laundry. This worked pretty well. We had some winter outerwear that was not used and could have used a little more lightweight outerwear.
Biggest regret: no solar panels for the trip. It would have made the night with no electrical hookup much better and would have provided flexibility for other stops. We now have solar panels for future trips.
We were relying on a small heater and an electric blanket to stay warm as nights were cool. Solar panels would not enable those options, so for future trips like this, we have purchased a down comforter rated for cold weather. It would have likely been adequate for this trip.
There is a new earlier post with information on how we typically pack for camping where we consider a long camping trip as well. Packing for Teardrop Camping-Our Process
The Weather
The weather was quite good considering we were traveling in the last month of winter. It was pleasant to be outside most days with no more than a lightweight jacket. We had one rainy day in Austin, Texas, and one cold day in Julian, California, where there was some snow on the ground. Utah, the most northern part of our trip, was warm and sunny the entire time we were there. During the entire trip, typical nights were high 30s and typical days were low 70s.
Our Health
I worried about one or both of us getting sick while in the trip, but we managed to stay healthy. Last year during this time, I was on my third bout with being sick. Thankfully, we were well and able to enjoy this trip.
A prescription needed to be filled near the end of the trip, but we use a national drug chain and they filled it just as easily as it would have been at home.
The Tow Vehicle
We drove our SUV an extra 1,000 miles more than the camper because we used it to visit the surrounding areas. We had no issues towing and our camper was a breeze to pull, even through some quite high elevations. I had worried a little about not having electric brakes, but our camper is very light.
Our tires were almost new, but at one point, my husband noticed that one of the tires appeared to have slung a weight and there was vibration. We bought the tires from Pep Boys and local dealer in Arizona corrected the issue under warranty. We also needed an oil change while on the trip, which we had done while in Utah.
Our tow vehicle suffered a minor ding at one of the stops at a very crowded campground while trying to turn around when our way was blocked. Frustrating, but that’s life.
Tow vehicle
We were always careful to keep at least a half tank of fuel, which was important because fuel opportunities were few and far between in some areas. We had no problems, but if we had waited until a quarter of a tank, we might have ran out of gas. Our gas mileage for the entire long camping trip was 17.4 miles per gallon. We thought that was pretty good.
Long Camping Trip Favorites
Our best stop was in Moab, Utah. The area was absolutely gorgeous and we loved the town and Arches National Park. We had beautiful weather and a fabulous time at this stop!
Arches National Park
Our favorite campground was Kartchner Caverns State Park in Arizona. The park was beautiful, fairly new, and very well-maintained. It had all the amenities we needed. However, for those who prefer to have sewer, it did not have that.
Kartchner Caverns State Park
Surprisingly, our best meal was at Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. The entire meal was delicious at a reasonable price, with a limo that picks you up at your campground. You have gotta love it! Here is a link to Big Texan if you would like to check it out. https://www.bigtexan.com
Other food highlights were apple pie in Julian, green chili cheeseburgers at the Blue Moon Diner on the way to Albuquerque, and fabulous Mexican food at La Posta in Las Cruces and Tacos El Cositas in Yuma.
Big Texan Steak Ranch
There is a post to my blog for all the stops along our long camping trip for anyone interested.
We had a wonderful time! That said, we were ready to be home near the end. I think that for us, four weeks is about as long as we should travel, considering we have a tiny camper.
For those new to camping, get out there and take a long camping trip. Go see some of this beautiful country. It is so worth the effort!
Shreveport was our last stop on our way home and the weather was glorious. We noticed as we were getting nearer how green everything was becoming!
Shreveport camping was a relaxing last stop. However, the drive to Shreveport (6 1/2 hours) was longer than our usual and we had a comparable drive the next day because we were driving straight home. We were rather tired and just wanted to get to the campground and chill. A very late lunch while on the road at Weidman’s in Meridian meant that we would not have to go out for dinner.
As soon as we neared the state of Louisiana, It was evident that everything had begun to turn green. We did not really see that in our earlier stops. Also, my allergies kicked in with a vengeance. The official date of the beginning of spring was just around the corner.
We had one tow vehicle issue to address first. Our SUV indicated that the battery on the remote needed to be replaced. We found one at a nearby Wal-Mart and while there, we rented a couple of movies.
Shreveport Camping
We then settled in for the evening at the campground. Our last night on the road was very relaxing and quite comfortable, but we were both ready to be home.
The Shreveport-Bossier KOA was very nice. It had concrete pads and a wrought iron table with chairs. The bathhouse was immaculate and our site was lovely. We had no complaints whatsoever. For those interested, below is a link to the website.
This was our first time to camp in Louisiana, though we have visited several times. Unfortunately, we did not really have an opportunity to any sights. However, I do want to acknowledge the very best rest stop of our trip. According to my phone, the photo below was taken in Choudrant, Louisiana. The facility looks new and is very, very nice. Thanks Louisiana!
Oklahoma City camping included the memorial in Oklahoma City. It was a lovely dedication to the victims of the bombing.
Oklahoma City Camping
Oklahoma City camping was a lot of fun for us. It offered sites to see, good food, and very nice weather. The memorial was one of the main reasons we chose Oklahoma City for this stop. It was a somber reminder of what was for me, the beginning of a heightened awareness of the dangers of terrorism in this country.
The Bombing
The bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, 1995, shocked the nation. Later, it was incomprehensible to learn that the horrific act was performed by a homegrown terrorist. It marked a profound change in the way most Americans regarded safety. It has been almost twenty-two years since that act occurred; yet, this violent trend has continued.
However, Oklahoma City is so much more than this act of violence. We are aware there is much to see and do in the state. For this trip though, as we were so near Oklahoma City on our return home, the memorial stood out as something we needed to see.
The Memorial
View from rear of monument
The memorial was dedicated exactly five years after the bombing. The photo above was from the rear and is my best overall photo because of the direction of the sun. It was taken from an overlook from the Federal Building.
In the photo above, you are seeing the backs of empty chairs, each one representing a life lost in the bombing. The smallest chairs represent children who died in the bombing. A reflecting pool is beyond the chairs and the building in the background is the museum.
Most noteworthy the chairs and each represents a victim and the floor in which they were on that day. Each chair includes their name of a victim. The photo below shows them from the front.
Empty seat for each person lost
Tragically, the bombing killed 168 people, of which 19 were children. In addition, the bombing injured more than 500 people. Consequently, it was a devastating day for Oklahoma and for our country. The reason so many children died is there was a daycare center in the building. The plaque and lawn pictured below is a memorial to those children.
Children’s playground plaque
The memorial addresses the timing of the blast with what is called “The Gates of Time”. There are doorways and a clock on each side of the reflecting pool, one stopped at 9:01 and the other at 9:03. The 9:01 represents the innocence of the city just before the bombing, which occurred at 9:02. The 9:03 represents the moment that the city began healing. There is also a Survivor’s Wall with each of their names and there is a Survivor Tree.
Below is a link to the website for the memorial and museum.
The museum is very much worth the effort to visit. While the memorial is free, there is a charge for the museum. However, it has a wealth of information about the bombing and the recovery that followed. There were many films with personal accounts of the day and there were artifacts. Most is all, it illustrated how the people in the city came together to help and to heal.
The building was named for Alfred P. Murrah. I have heard that name many times, but knew nothing of the man. I learned that he was orphaned at 13 and was covertly riding the rails before he was booted from a train in Oklahoma. He got a job milking cows and convinced school officials to allow him in classes with other thirteen year olds despite his fourth-grade education. He worked two jobs and graduated with honors. After high school, he continued to distinguish himself academically. Most noteworthy, he was appointed as a Federal District Judge in 1936. He was the youngest to have ever achieved that position at 32 years old. Very impressive!
Other Activities
We like to find a unique local restaurant on our stops. For this Oklahoma City Camping trip, it was Cattleman’s Steakhouse. It is located in historic Stockyard City and has been in business since 1910. We had a delicious steak with all the trimmings and the service was excellent.
There were a couple of large stores with western clothing nearby. They they were calling my husband! Previously on this trip, we have hardly done any shopping. However, in this case, we walked away with a big bag of clothing—mostly jeans.
The KOA Issue
Oklahoma City camping would have been better for us if we had not had a problem at the KOA. The Oklahoma City KOA was pretty nice overall, but I did not like how it managed its bathhouse. It had seven private rooms, each with a toilet and shower, but the campground had reserved one restroom for handicapped. Theoretically, guests are provided access to six non-gender specific rooms.
First, while at the campground, we had two occasions where we were waiting outside for a long time because no bathroom was available. Subsequently, we learned that they were keeping a couple of them locked because the campground was not full.
Consequently, I was quite angry after standing outside for twenty minutes waiting to use the restroom to learn that there were locked rooms. After my husband made a request, they opened a door for me. It is one thing to have inadequate facilities, quite another to not offer what you have. Because of this, it is my least favorite KOA.
Site #C1
In conclusion, we enjoyed our Oklahoma City camping experience, despite the bathhouse wait.
One more stop in Shreveport, Louisiana, and we are home! It has been wonderful to be on the road, but home is sounding pretty good.
A link to our post of the Shreveport stop is below.
