First 25,000+ Miles "aj" #873

We picked up “AJ” in March 2017 after a thorough orientation from Cary, and drove our 2013 Ford Edge 126 miles home to the Green Bay area. And so it begins! Within the first two seasons, we drove 29,004 miles and camped 86 nights.

As former tent campers, we were excited to fit some of our gear into our new 560, #873, and head out in early April. We chose Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, warmer than Wisconsin and far enough away to learn if we planned well. We loved all the storage inside AJ and the relative emptiness of our tow vehicle. We learned, however, that packing essential things like hiking boots in the camper meant we had to plan our day trips well. The hiking boots, trekking poles, swimsuits and lunch cooler now stay in the Edge!

That first season we traveled 14,092 miles and stayed 44 nights in our camper. About a month after our maiden voyage we drove west to tour Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Texas – our first Long Haul posting in the forum. After that, we explored northern and southern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, trips we’d done with our sons and tents. What a joy to be inside during rain and wind, and to have an REI Alcove to protect us in our outdoor space!

We took a fall trip along the Shenandoah NP Skyway and Blue Ridge Parkways, taking in some hikes and lots of music along the way. We were above the clouds some of the days, but the views on cloudy and clear days were stunning. We found great national forest and national park campgrounds, all very busy this time of year. We ended our season in a Kentucky state park surrounded by huge fifth wheels and RVs and tons of Halloween decorations. We turned on our orange porch light to try to fit in with the others – ha!

In 2018 we added 42 nights and 14,922 to our tally. We started along Buffalo National River in Arkansas, came home and did a long haul to Nova Scotia. Judy spent a night in our garage when our oldest granddaughter selected the camper as her bed for an overnight stay. We also camped with family in Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin, giving each of our three granddaughters a night in the upper bunk. We all loved it! We camped at some of our favorite campsites in northern Wisconsin alone and with friends, and did another long haul to the Rocky Mountains. We ended our season at the Camp-Inn Camp-Outt. AJ is winterized but ready to head out for a few days of dry camping if November’s weather allows it.

If you’d like, you can see our three long haul posts and photos in the forum. We really enjoy the freedom and ease of traveling with our 560 especially compared to tent-camping. In the past we would take one or two camping trips each year, and now we have trouble staying home for more than a few weeks. Truly loving life!

 

Congratulations!
Obviously it was a great decision and fit!

 

Ain't it fun? The impetus for our Camp Inn order was another wet and cold post-BWCA car camping trip along the North Shore in MN. I think about all the packing and unpacking of car camping (often with twin boys in the backseat) and wonder how in the world did we do it?