The original plan was to wake at 2 a.m. and be on the road by 3 Monday morning. What interfered was the level of activity close to midnight. An executive decision was made to NOT set the alarm and see what happens. With so much left to do, we didn't leave until shortly after noon. With no set timetable, we were able to just get ready and go...
Moving into the RV is a lot like relocating. Every item was evaluated for necessity and usefulness. In the end I stuffed everything I could into the RV.
I had to modify the co-pilot seat for my comfort. Being short means my feet dangle so we needed a foot rest. I also couldn't stand the feel of the pleather armrests on my arms so I made covers out of old handtowels. Problem solved.
If you can imaging sitting on top of your car or minivan, that approximates the vantage point of the RV. You ride with the big boys and see a whole new view of the world. We traveled through PA and picked up Route 70 through West Virginia and into Ohio. We got very tired and didn't have reservations at a campground, so we found a Walmart parking lot and joined other RVs and a semi or two for some sleep. Yes, we slept in Walmart's parking lot in Cambridge, OH. Store traffic, bright lights, teenagers laughing at us...slept well.
In the morning we found McDonalds with free WiFi and posted on Facebook and made reservations for a KOA just this side of St. Louis, MO. Granite City, IL. Full hook up, showers, pool, the works. We finished the drive through Ohio, then Indiana, finally to the edge of Illinois. Made it to the KOA just this side of the Mississippi.
It's an OK place, glad to be still and not riding. The first thing I noticed outside were wierd insect noises until the sun set. It was a metallic, cicada sound...almost alien. It's nice to be camping again. It's nice to have some comforts not found in the tent camping we used to do. I really like having a real bed (and queen sized at that) and the refrigerator and stove are very convenient.
I am really tired, it's been a long day. Some things I learned:
1. From the interstate corn fields look the same in PA, OH, IN, IL, I've seen them all.
2. Don't travel without tie wraps (aka wire ties), they can fix a variety of problems, as useful as duct tape.
3. Truck stops have friendly people, but they sell scary things like knives, half size baseball bats with rubber wristbands, and handcuffs.
4. Most people you meet are nice and friendly and helpful.
5. This is a trip everyone should do, but maybe not more than once and only with your best friend. That's what makes it special.
Living the dream, even though I didn't know I had this one...
Moving into the RV is a lot like relocating. Every item was evaluated for necessity and usefulness. In the end I stuffed everything I could into the RV.
I had to modify the co-pilot seat for my comfort. Being short means my feet dangle so we needed a foot rest. I also couldn't stand the feel of the pleather armrests on my arms so I made covers out of old handtowels. Problem solved.
If you can imaging sitting on top of your car or minivan, that approximates the vantage point of the RV. You ride with the big boys and see a whole new view of the world. We traveled through PA and picked up Route 70 through West Virginia and into Ohio. We got very tired and didn't have reservations at a campground, so we found a Walmart parking lot and joined other RVs and a semi or two for some sleep. Yes, we slept in Walmart's parking lot in Cambridge, OH. Store traffic, bright lights, teenagers laughing at us...slept well.
In the morning we found McDonalds with free WiFi and posted on Facebook and made reservations for a KOA just this side of St. Louis, MO. Granite City, IL. Full hook up, showers, pool, the works. We finished the drive through Ohio, then Indiana, finally to the edge of Illinois. Made it to the KOA just this side of the Mississippi.
It's an OK place, glad to be still and not riding. The first thing I noticed outside were wierd insect noises until the sun set. It was a metallic, cicada sound...almost alien. It's nice to be camping again. It's nice to have some comforts not found in the tent camping we used to do. I really like having a real bed (and queen sized at that) and the refrigerator and stove are very convenient.
I am really tired, it's been a long day. Some things I learned:
1. From the interstate corn fields look the same in PA, OH, IN, IL, I've seen them all.
2. Don't travel without tie wraps (aka wire ties), they can fix a variety of problems, as useful as duct tape.
3. Truck stops have friendly people, but they sell scary things like knives, half size baseball bats with rubber wristbands, and handcuffs.
4. Most people you meet are nice and friendly and helpful.
5. This is a trip everyone should do, but maybe not more than once and only with your best friend. That's what makes it special.
Living the dream, even though I didn't know I had this one...
