About a month ago we decided to get back into the camping world. We listed the ATVs and they sold quickly. Johnny has owned two pop-up campers before kids and we really enjoyed traveling and getting closer to nature. It wasn't until recently that we thought the kids would be ready, and of course now that we have a camper with a bathroom that makes things MUCH easier. We've been looking at travel trailers for a little over a year now trying to decide whether we wanted another pop-up or a hard side camper. Once we decided hard side, we then needed to decide size, weight and the type of fabrication. And of course amenities. The outside cookstove/fridge and outside shower were a big plus for Johnny. Unlike cars where there is a finite number of manufacturers, campers are branded differently and sold at different locations. So trying to compare and contrast styles and options is challenging.
The camper is a Keystone Passport Ultralite and is considered a 28' travel trailer. It has one queen bed, two double bunk beds (or a little smaller) and a kitchen table that breaks down into a bedding area that could sleep one or two kids. It has a full shower, toilet, sink and a full kitchen with a stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator, freezer and sink. It also has a flat screen TV, DVD and a radio system with both indoor and outdoor speakers. It is definitely more like "glamping" than "camping" but it makes it fun for the kids and a little easier for us since we can leave everything in the camper. Other than food and clothes there isn't much to pack when it's go-time.
We picked up the camper last month and decided to take it out the day we picked it up since I am traveling a lot this summer for work. We bought it at Reines RV in Manassas so we decided to make the short trek to Bull Run for the night. We had a relaxing time breaking it in and figuring out all the buttons and gadgets. We also had a few friends join us which the kids were very excited about ! They spent a lot of time playing at the playground, making s'mores and playing Bocce ball. They also got to pick up and learn about different animal bones that were in the camping store.
Since our first stay was so short, we decided to take the camper out again this weekend for the long holiday weekend. Who knew camping sites book up so quickly?! It was tough to find a space and most places had a three night minimum so we decided to go back to Bull Run for a little longer stay this time.
The kids had a great time at the playground again on our second trip. We also decided to take the kids' bikes this trip. Reagan asked to take off her training wheels a few months ago but our house sits on a hill and learning to ride has been very challenging. Who knew that an hour of practicing at the camp site and she would master the two wheeled bike?! Seeing the look on her face when she realized she was doing it was priceless. I have no idea how many steps I got in, but wow, the kids biked forever...then more the next morning...and that night...and the next day. She has gotten a lot more balanced and even getting back home she has been practicing and having a lot of fun riding. As I was coming out of the camper Monday morning I caught Cole helping Reagan buckle her helmet. She isn't able to do this with one hand and I thought it was so sweet that Cole was trying to help her despite having a really hard time seeing the buckle. They fight a lot, but can be so very sweet with each other. I love that I was able to capture this moment. It really melted my heart to know that he was there when she needed help...even though it was really hard for him.
In addition to the bike riding, we spent the day Sunday at the Atlantis waterpark at the campground. It was only $16 for a family of four and a lot of fun! It's pretty rare for mom and dad to go to the pool together and get in the water so the kids had a lot of fun swimming and going down the slides.
We also got introduced to something new on this trip. It's a group called RV'ing Rocks. I had no idea they exist, but it has over 3,600 members on their Facebook page. People all over the country paint or decorate rocks and hide them at camp sites. Then if you find it you can either keep it or hide it for someone else to find. You're also supposed to take a picture and post it on the site for others to see. Reagan was absolutely enamored by the rock. Between the butterfly and the bling there was no way she was going to leave it there by the tree. So needless to say we kept it and she is now very excited about painting rocks for others to find. And the fun part is that I did post a picture on the site and the woman who hid the rock saw it and commented! I told her why the butterfly means so much to us and she said this is the only rock she has made this way with paper. She said she always paints them but this was a one-of-a-kind. She was so touched when I told her Reagan was sleeping with the rock and wouldn't put it down after she found it. We are excited about going camping again so we can hide rocks for others to find!
In addition to all the other activities, the kids had fun drawing and coloring inside and Reagan was a big helper with washing dishes and helping keep the camper clean and organized. And notice how well she's holding that bowl with her left hand!! It's super tough to squeeze soap on the scrub brush, but I helped her and she washed all the dishes and dried them by herself!
We are definitely "that" family who works a lot and is very "connected" with technology. Although the devices did come with us and the kids did watch a movie Sunday night on the TV in the camper, we had a great time just being together as a family and having fun. We are already learning some lessons about camping best practices and site selection to make sure our utilities can reach where they need to be. We are also getting stocked up on the things that matter in the camper...like bug spray and calamine! And my husband spoiled me with two strings of little lantern lights that we strung along the awning this trip. It's amazing how much some campers go all out! Some have full flag poles, flower pots and decorations all over their camp sites. We are definitely more simplistic, but there are little things that make a big difference...like having a large area rug so the kids can come out without shoes and don't track the dirt and leaves inside the camper. We added a toaster this trip since eggs and bagels on the fire just didn't taste the same with the smoked taste. And next trip I think I'll be adding a coffee maker. Although I liked the morning walk to the camp store for coffee, it would be nice to be able to have it more easily accessible. I'm hope to share more camping adventures this Fall and some of the RVing Rocks designs that we create!
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