Announcement Down Payment Sent!

I'm probably the only one that didn't have a wait of any kind other than waiting on a truck to get there to pick it up. Sad for the original owner, perfect or us!

That said, it was about 8 wks. to get it here due to bad weather and a trucking problem. During that time we went shopping and bought THE WORLD of camping gear. At the time we lived in our 5th wheel RV in a campground and also had some things already to put into it. So far the only thing I regret buying is the side tent - haven't used it yet, but am hanging onto it just in case.

And Evan's right about learning to take less stuff...I keep thinking we'll downsize, but I've been caught "with my pants down" enough in life that I always want to have something "just in case." One day I'll grow up I guess... Oh! Congratulations! Welcome to the group!

 

Cuurently I am traveling for work, so I am learning to live out of a carry on and a laptop bag. So this should help with my tendancy to want to take the kitchen sink.

 

Oh, you would be surprised by the number of kitchen sinks that tend to come along.

 

I'm hoping for only the one installed in the galley.
I am dreaming of camping, and cannot wait until my trip up to WI to see you all!

 

Will spring never come? With winter being so mild, I am dreaming of receiving our build date.

 

Susan, congrats! I hope the time til delivery goes quickly for you. With any luck, we'll be right behind you. Maybe see you at pick up time!
Anyway, I have a theory about preparing for the road based on 6 years of fulltiming in a MH. I plan to leave the factory totally empty. I figure there's a Walmart in every town, so, if I need something (coffee pot, drain hose, water filter, more underwear, plastic forks, paper plates, etc), I'll just overnight at Wally's and get what I need then.
Carol and I had a rule in the MH. If something came in, like a new pair of shoes, a like item had to go. This worked great for 6 years but by then all my clothes were gone and I had to stop motorhoming! Seems when Carol bought a new something, the like item that was tossed was mine!!
BTW, Happy Belated BD!

Mike

 

Mike, maybe your right before us...hmm.

Regardless, I can't wait either. I've been going crazy thinking about where to go and what to do. We had a Serro Scotty we bought with the hopes of completely restoring and upgrading...we used only a couple of times before we decided to 'upgrade' to something smaller. The F150 gobbles up gas as bad as a motorhome...well not quite....but 13mpg while pulling is pretty bad. So we're upgrading to something smaller.

I'm afraid I'd have to disagree about Chinamart. I won't give them money if I can help it. They haven't done any favors by encouraging its suppliers to export their manufacturing operations to China. I'd rather not support bad behavior. But you're right in the fact anything you need can get gotten with great ease just a few minutes down the highway.

One thing, and since this isn't your first Rodeo, Make sure you spend the extra money on the white hoses...food grade if you will. They don't off gas chemicals that taste bad and aren't all that good for you. I bought mine at west marine.

Where's your first try planned to? I think we'll wind up in North Carolina. Definitely across South Datkota this summer, and back to Mackinac Island. End of August....great time to be there!!!

 

Mike, welcome!
the above is my one and only with his 2 cents. Most of which I agree with. Having the Scotty last summer helped me with what really needs to go. My prob is that I went to High School in the 80's which means I over pack for everything. Think big cans of hairspray and 3 polo's layered. I gave up the hairspray, and polo shirts, but still cannot do without layers. sigh! but I have learned to pack 4 days of clothes into a carry on this year, so hopefully this helps.

We will take the bare minimum with us to pick it up, but only because it will be a short trip home, with possibly one night stay at a campground. I cannot wait to explore it and make it mine.

 

I do kind of agree about Walmart... let's make it a stop at ACE for some things. There'a a way to tell from the barcode where something is made. Maybe that's a msg we can give out if I can remember where I saw that info.
Anyway, we were hoping to go straight to Alaska for 2 months (how crazy was that idea for the shake down cruise) but it will be too late in the season to do that. So we'll do some things up there (WI) and work our way south. Since we have kids in KY, NC and GA we'll hit all those spots before "nesting" our new baby back in The Villages.

 

I don't think it's crazy at all.

Our first trip, Craig had literally just finished building the teardrop (#000). He brought it home & within a half hour, Craig, the kids & I were packed up & on our way for a 3 week 5,000 mile trip. It was the first time I had even seen the teardrop.

It's all part of the adventure!

 

Betsey,
Any way to pay you and Craig off to get us a build date? This winter has been so mild, all we talk about is when we get the CI. Its very hard to concentrate on anything else. We also need to plan our vacation time for the year....

 

"big" trip over two weeks:

Badlands area of South Dakota
Deadwood, sd
Devils tower
Estes park, Denver
Flint hills, Kansas
Strauds in Kansas City and a Que joint

End of summer run:
Mackinaw City, mi

Places considered:
Oshkosh for airshow
north Carolina
Mt Curahee, GA
Memphis, tn

 

Hey, Sweeney,

Jim want's you to remember to hit Walldrug when you are in the Badlands. Best pie and coffee in the whole dog gone world (and the finest collection of Western art anywhere!).

Then of course there's Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park Campgrounds (where the buffalo roam, yikes!)and Bedrock City (Yabba-dabba-do!) in the town of Custer.

No, really, go to Yellowstone instead.

Have fun!!!

Camp On,

Jim and Sue

 

I've been there before....this time I'm taking my lovely bride. You forgot to mention Wall Drug ice cream

Last time on a "guys trip" on motorcycles (Suzuki GSX-1100 Super G) and a tent. This time with about a gross of thermacell mosquito repellent and a more comfortable bed.

This time, I'll have an appreciation for Deadwood. Last time I as there, I had no idea of its history. While it is mostly a tourist trap now...I don't mind, it's one of the few things left small towns can do any more.

Devils tower has the Hollywood appeal. I just desperately want to find a camp in the area that is quiet and devoid of light pollution. The night skies are remarkable out there...

 

I would also recommend Wind Cave. When we went through SD and did Rushmore, we made the drive over and weRe super impressed. I wrote a little review in the travel section. There is camping there and I would bet there is very little light pollution. Plenty of animals, including buffalo though! Fantastic place!

 

Well, our 560 Ultra is in the incubator and the "ultra"-sound pictures are showing a healthy baby camper. The pictures came through very clear, I was even able to count ribs and see soft tissue forming. I've counted its toes and sure enough, there are three wheels, just as expected of the species. It is due to be "born" and released from the incubator the middle of June... Ah! Counting the days til I meet her in person.

 

A summer baby! How wonderful. You'll be able to enjoy her a lot before the snow falls in Indiana. Congratulations.

Bob and Kathy

 

Thanks! Yes, we have begun nesting and have started cleaning out our storage room ( garage ) and are planning the decorations for the nursery. So far the decoration include: coolers, camp chairs, kayaks, random car parts, etc. however the husband would only let me hang the kayaks, but not the mobile. Sigh

 

All her fingers and toes, eh? Wonderful. These are such exciting days for you. Savor them. Your little darling will be all the more beautiful for that wait.

So what's wrong with a mobile? What about a night light with bubbles?

Sue

 

Camp-Inn should start a 'registry 'page for all the good extra stuff! Perfect for our families, especially around those gift giving holidays!