2019 Fall Western Trip: Hershey RV Show and West Virginia

Well friends and family, Judy and I are off on another RV adventure.  This time it is another trip cross country to Oregon and back.  Each time we take different routes and see different things.  First stop is a 3 day visit to the largest RV show in America at Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Tuesday, 9/10:  332 miles and camped at the KOA in Jonestown, PA.

Site 67 on the end near the woods and a great place for the dogs.

It was a long six hour drive today over some of the roughest roads we have ever been on.  Interstate 81 south of the NY border is brutal!!  We normally try to schedule our drives to about 250 miles, but this KOA is so convenient and pleasant that we almost always use it as a starting and ending point for our trip.  Plus, it's open all year round, which is unusual for this part of the US.  We arrived today to a pleasant and warm 80 degree afternoon.

The main reason for starting our trip here is the Hershey RV Show, advertised as the largest RV show in America.  I've always wanted to see it, and we are starting to think about changing our method of traveling.  While nothing can beat a 5th wheel RV for comfort, storage, and living space, it does tie you up to driving a big truck around and then trying to find parking space when you unhook and explore.  A motorhome may lack on living space, but you tow a much smaller vehicle to use for exploring.  This visit to the RV show is for "exploring" to see what's out there in the marketplace.

Wednesday, 9/11:

Today were are off the attend the Hershey RV Show.  The KOA offered a free shuttle, which we took.  Turned out to be a good choice.  This RV Show is HUGE!!!!  Over 1,300 RV's set up and crowds in the thousands.  On top of that, the temperature topped out at 93 today.  There was every size, shape, and price range on display.

We were concentrating on gas Class A motorhomes.  We probably actually went in about 30, and that was overload.  We plan to go back tomorrow to see a few more.  We are not buying anything this year, just exploring and researching.

We were so tired when we got back to the camper, we crashed for naps, and even settled for tomato sandwiches for dinner instead of cooking.

Thursday 9/12:

We narrowed our search down to a few campers to visit, so we waited to catch the 11:00 AM shuttle.  It was only 85 today, but twice as humid.  UGH!!  I think we have narrowed our picks down to 2 models, a Jayco and a Winnebago.   

Jayco Precept Prestige 36H floorpan

Jayco 36H Precept Prestige

Winnebago Adventurer 36Z floorpan

Winnebago Adventurer 36Z

It was a nice day, but again it was terribly hot and humid, until the KOA shuttle service forgot to pick us up.  After several phone calls, they said we would be picked up on the 5:00 shuttle.  Just what we needed, another 2 hour wait.  And then the shuttle was late because of an accident on Interstate 81.  Come to find out, the shuttle driver was the campground owner, and he spent the entire 30 minute trip back apologizing.  On top of that, I had arranged to meet an old fraternity brother for dinner that I hadn't seen in 50 years, and we also had to cancel that. By the time we finally grilled dinner, it was 7:30.   Long day!!  But in the big picture, if this is the worst day on our trip, then we are fortunate.

Tomorrow we are off to visit son Matt and family in West Virginia for the weekend. 

Friday 9/13:  265 miles and parked in son Matt's driveway in West Virginia

It was a smooth drive today, although we hit some rain and fog crossing the Appalachian Mountains.  However, it was 91 when we set up in Matt and Jaime's driveway at 2:30.  :-(   About 4:30 I left to see my grandson play a little league baseball game.  At 90 degrees, it was too hot for Judy, and I don't blame her.  Based on the fact that the game was played on a field with lights, I think baseball is serious business in West Virginia.  It was an exciting and fun game to watch.  Matt's in-laws Gary and Linda were there, and I always enjoy visiting with them.  Then it was pizza for dinner.  Long day!!!

Saturday and Sunday,  9/14-15:  Downtime with family

Saturday was another sunny and hot, unusual for this time of the year at 86 degrees. Matt and family had tickets to the West Virginia University - NC State  football game, so they spent the afternoon at the game in Morgantown.  West Virginia won!!  We had a relaxing afternoon doing a little grocery shopping, had a light lunch at Mountain State Brewing, and catching up on laundry.  Of course, a nap, web surfing, and reading was included. For dinner we grilled flank steak for Matt and Jaime. 

Grandchildren Chasen and Kaylin in their WVU Mountaineer garb.

Sunday morning was a brisk 62 degrees, a welcome change from the 90's heat of the previous days.  I helped Matt for 3 or 4 hours hang a couple of barn style doors on the storage barn he is building.  Then is it was downtime for a nap. reading, and watching football with the grandkids.  For dinner, Matt and Jaime took us to nearby Outback Steakhouse.

All in all, a nice quiet time with family this weekend.  No great adventures or exciting sights.  Just really good family time.  Monday, Matt and Jaime go to work, the kids go to school, and we continue west to the KOA in Richmond, Indiana.

Monday morning:

I was able to snag the grandkids for a last minute photo as they were leaving for school.

Now it's time to hit the road and again continue our trek west.