Spring 2023 Tripping: "Head out on the highway"

"Get your motor runnin'

Head out on the highway

Looking for adventure

In whatever comes our way"

If these words from "Born to be Wild" don't make you feel like hitting the road, I don't know what does.    I'm dating myself here, but I love that song and video from the theme of the independent and counterculture movie "Easy Rider" that came out in 1969, the same year I graduated college.  You can catch a YouTube video here

So with that song pounding in my mind, here are our plans for the next 8 weeks.

I've always wanted to catch the bluebonnet wildflower bloom in the Hill country of Texas.  So that's on our list.  However, like the leaves changing color in the Northeast, or the cherry blossoms in Washington DC, Mother Nature is always the variable.  Fingers crossed that she cooperates for us.  Other stops in Texas include San Antonio and Houston.  

What we hope to see in Texas.  Fingers crossed.

Then it's on to Gulf Shores, Alabama for about 10 days and then Carrabelle Beach, Florida for another 10 days.  Next up are stops in Jekyll Island and Savannah, Georgia.  We end the trip with a weekend in West Virginia to visit Matt and Jaime Sipher, and the grandchildren.  Then, finally home in mid May to catch up lawn mowing and other yard chores.

I'm a bit OCD about trip planning.  I've been working on this trip for several months.  First step is to use the app "RV Wizard."  It allows me to customize, such as low clearance hazards, weight limits, ferry crossings, etc.  The app details campgrounds along our prospective route.  Once we decide on the RV parks we want and how long we want to stay, I create a spreadsheet detailing parks, miles per day, travel time necessary, points of interest, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.  Where we are parking for more than a day, or on weekends or holidays, I reserve those sites first.  Some of these I reserve as far as 6 months ahead. In fact, a 2 week stay in Gulf State Park needs to be reserved as far as a year in advance. The one night stops I reserve last.  Compared to 20 years ago, reservations are becoming a must.  I know many RV'ers like to "wing it" and travel with no reservations, but that's just not our cup of tea.  Here are couple of screenshots of how we plan our trips.

RV Wizard screenshot when planning for the fall trip in 2022.

 Spreadsheet from the portion of the trip matching the map above.

Adding to adventures this year is a new member of the family.  Our beloved 16 year old Golden Retriever, Zoey, passed away in December.  Our Malamute Zoey at nearly 13 is still game to travel. Our newest travel companion is Parker, a 9 week old male Golden Retriever. Puppy training in a camper should be an adventure!!  Our two Zoeys had camped with us in 48 states.  I guess we'll have to start over again with another states list for Parker.  😀

We had planned to get a female.  But the minute Judy saw
this male with such an outgoing personality, it was love at first sight. 

Many of our friends wonder, why don't we go south in the winter?  Well, I guess you could call us "reverse snow birders."  We really don't mind the winter, especially now that we are retired don't have to commute and work in it.  Besides, on a bright sunny day it can be absolutely beautiful.

So stay tuned and follow along with us this year.  As I have said in the past, we love to share our adventures (and occasional misadventure) as we wander.  Hearing from you helps us stay grounded and connected with friends and family.

We will spend the first night on this trip at the Jonestown KOA in Jonestown, PA.  It's convenient to I-81, and one of the very few northern parks open this time of year.

Be well!!