Category: Taking Along the Family Pet
An “Accident” Waiting to Happen?
December 19, 2010 by Diane Berry · 9 Comments
It was with some fear and trepidation that I pushed the “Enter” button on my computer to reserve the campsite that night. I was planning out the route for our recent journey out east, an attempt to “bag” as many of the eastern state highpoints as we could manage during our 10 days on the road. My hesitation is caused by the location of this particular campground; while it is in a perfect location for us to be able the climb three peaks in close proximity the day following our arrival, it is situated in Accident, Maryland. While I am not overly suspicious by any means, I also do not believe in tempting fate. Nonetheless, I booked our site for the night of July 18th at the BumbleBee Campground and RV Park in Accident. Looking back, I see that I even made a note on our itinerary “I feel we may be pressing our luck here…” It turned out to be a great decision; no accidents involved. We headed out from our home near Green Bay, Wisconsin at our usual 4 am departure time. After... [Read more...]
Add-On Charges for Pets – What’s Your Feeling on This? Is it Fair or Not?
October 20, 2010 by Professor95 · 74 Comments
“WHAT? You want $70 in extra fees for my pet to stay with us in our camper for 2 weeks?” That is what I encountered this past summer at a beach campground we frequently visit. Our friends that have 3 toy poodles were told upon arrival that their pet up-charge would be $210 for two weeks. They canceled their reservation and left. We begrudgingly paid the pet fee and stayed. How is it that responsible people get punished for those who are irresponsible? That’s how I feel every time I encounter a campground that charges an extra fee for pets. I do need to introduce this topic with sensitivity. It is not my intent to upset any campground owners or campers. If you’re a pet owner (or even if you’re not) maybe you can relate to my story….. Yesterday I telephoned the reservation center for one of our Virginia State Park campgrounds. The reservationists that handled my call was extremely polite and helpful. Me: “I would like to make a reservation for Belle Isle... [Read more...]
“Bob and the Raccoons” – A Camping Humor Story
September 23, 2010 by Professor95 · 8 Comments
Marge and Bob had recently been given an older, but extremely well cared for, pop-up from their neighbor and friend Steve. Steve’s company had closed their Richmond office and he had accepted a relocation offer in Oregon. The distance and cost were just too much to take the pop-up, so he simply gave it to Bob. Marge and Bob had only been camping once before, but that was in a tent beside a mosquito populated lake. Now with two children, Katie – 7, and Andrew – 12, not to mention Skeeter – a 4 year old Jack Russell, camping seemed like a good thing to get into for family type stuff. Bob was really getting into the idea of a relaxing camping trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was a few weeks before the kids went back to school and he had a full week of vacation left. The idea was to enter the Parkway at Waynesboro, Virginia, and drive all the way into North Carolina, stopping at various campgrounds along the route. Bob had pretty much cleaned out the gear and accessories... [Read more...]
Back at the Beach – and Boy is is HOT on the East Coast!
July 7, 2010 by Professor95 · 1 Comment
We pulled into our favorite Atlantic ocean-front camping spot Monday afternoon. It took a while to get set up due to the curious crowd that gathered to look at the Great White (Volvo Truck) with the golf cart situated cross-ways on the back. The problem with the interruptions is exacerbated by my willingness to talk to any one that asks a question about the rig. Sometimes the explanations and questions can go on for an hour or more – much to the chagrin of Nancy who would prefer that I connect the power cord and water before I get into these longwinded discussions. The lush golf course like grass that graced the park when we were here in April is now nothing more than a clump or two of green here and there dominated by large areas of brown vegetation and hot sand. Did I say hot? There is no need to get into that discussion with anyone that lives on the east coast. Triple digit temperatures have been common for the past several weeks, setting new records for high temperatures... [Read more...]
The Perfect Pampered Camping, Toutle River RV Resort
June 18, 2010 by RA Manseau · Leave a Comment
I have been planning again. This time I am planning a trip to northern Oregon and Washington to visit relatives. While looking over what to see and do on this vacation, I discovered that there is a RV resort in Castle Rock, Washington that is just incredible. The Toutle River RV Resort is amazing. The resort can accommodate over 800 RV’s and is in one of the most popular fishing areas of the state. Fishing holes are plentiful near the resort if you wish to just bike down to the river and fish from the shore. The Toutle River RV Resort will even set you up with a guided river fishing excursions by boat. I am not much of a fisherman but I love swimming and at Toutle River RV Resort I have my choice of the large pool or the river. The pool and spa both are ADA accessible. “The pool and separate spa both feature lift devises for swimmers and soakers with mobility issues and situated next to private restrooms and showers.” I love sitting in a sauna for a spell too. And, believe it or... [Read more...]
Maybell, Colorado –Has it gone to the dogs?
June 14, 2010 by Debbie Block · 2 Comments
Aren’t small towns the greatest? As we drove into this tiny town in the pouring rain, a couple of boys, maybe 10 or 11, were waiting by a puddle to be splashed as cars went by. I could see their excitement ahead of us when they saw the motor home coming, and sure enough, the puddle flew up all over them when we passed and they screamed and jumped with delight. The little town is Maybell, Colorado. Not much to see in Maybell, but there is a nice little café and a little City Park with a few hookups and a dump station. This trip across Highway 40 in northern Colorado is one every RVer should make. The scenery is the best anywhere. Just when you think the world has gone to the dogs, you go to Maybell, Colorado and find out that it has! At the center of town, the green grass in the City Park was loaded with an agility course for dogs. What a fun thing to watch! The weather cleared up and the dogs came out to play. These dogs seem so happy to do this and they are very attentive to their... [Read more...]
The Three Puppies Hike in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, MN
April 11, 2010 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
Annie here again. Last summer my mom, dad and Ryan, who was 17, planned a camping trip up to Minnesota to hike in a place called the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. I was excited because the puppies and I got to come along and it sounded like a nice wild place. We were planning to climb to the highest point in Minnesota, Eagle Mountain. Mom, Molly and I on the shore of Lake Superior My mom had reserved a campsite for us in the Temperance River State Park Campground which sat right on the shores of Lake Superior. After mom, dad and Ryan set up the camper, mom made a stew that smelled really yummy which we didn’t get to eat, then we all went for a walk along the lakeshore. We got to stick our feet in and drink some of the cold, clear water. Then we headed back to the camper and turned in because we wanted to get up early for our hike the next day. Mom, Molly and I at the entrace to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area We got an early start the next morning and were on the trail before 6:30. The... [Read more...]
The Three Puppies Climb to the Top of Connecticut
March 28, 2010 by Diane Berry · Leave a Comment
Hi it’s Annie, the English Cocker here again. I want to tell you about the trip our family took to Connecticut and the mountain we all got to climb. Jack, Molly and I went on a long drive with our family and our camper to an RV campground in the northwestern corner of Connecticut. We pulled in and set up, then we all had a really good dinner. Everybody turned in early because we were planning on going for a hike the next day to someplace they called Mt. Frissell. My mom said it was the highest peak in the state. Watering the puppies before our hike When we got up the next morning, we went outside to play and have some breakfast. Then we all loaded into the car and drove for about a half hour. When we stopped and the car was parked, we got out in a really neat place: it was all woods and the road was made of dirt. Our family put our leashes on us and gave us a bowl of cool water before we started hiking. There was a path across the road and we saw some people walking down the path toward... [Read more...]
Oscar Writes This Week’s Blog for Dad.
March 21, 2010 by Professor95 · 3 Comments
Hello. My name is Oscar. I am a 4 year old male Dachshund. Oscar guarding the boat My adoptive Mommy and Daddy are unable to write this week’s blog. They asked me to do it for them. First and foremost, I love to go camping. I get kinda tired of the same old smells in the yard at home. When we set-up at a new campsite and go for a walk I get to check out hundreds of new smells. It is an absolute delight! I started camping as a puppy. If I remember correctly, I was about 3-1/2 months old when my Mom and Dad first took me to Virginia Beach. We stayed at the Holiday-Trav-L-Park on one of their new “Supersites”. Mom and Dad took their bicycles so they could ride them on the bike road fronting the ocean. Dad made a carrier for me that sat on the back of his bicycle. This allowed me to go with them. Since we visited Virginia Beach before Memorial Day, I was allowed on the beach. That was when I discovered sand. Sand is the most wonderful surface in the world to... [Read more...]
The Three Puppies Tour Boston
March 14, 2010 by Diane Berry · 3 Comments
Hi, my name is Annie. I’m an English Cocker Spaniel and I am a member of the Berry family. Last summer, my people took me and my two “kids”, Jack and Molly, on a long vacation in our camper. It was a lot of fun! So many sights and sounds and smells! We were in heaven! Jack and Molly had to sleep in their kennel, but I got to sleep with my people because I’m older. I took turns sleeping with mom and dad, then the kids, often in the same night. It was great fun! One of our favorite parts of the trip was a day trip we took into a city called Boston. We all got up early so we could get to the city by 7a.m. so we could get a spot in the downtown parking garage. It was right near one of the most magical places on earth: a giant green space called Boston Common. Right in the middle of the city, it was filled with trees, grass, benches, and yummy things to eat. All around the outside of this big park people were selling food! There were hot dogs, pretzels all kinds of foods and snacks.... [Read more...]
