Our Wisconsin camping trip included five nights in two campgrounds, both of which were State Parks. There are a few things to know about camping in Wisconsin during COVID-19. One, the campground offices are not open for check-in. You just drive to your assigned site. Two, you must have a vehicle permit and you are expected to pay online for it before entering.
Kettle Moraine State Forest, Pike Lake Unit
Pike Lake Unit is a pretty, small campground in Hartford on Pike Lake. Though we were there in the middle of the week, it was mostly occupied. We had a large electric site, but the area where our camper and SUV was parked was in full sun. Unfortunately, there was a heat wave while we were there, so air conditioning was a must.
Pike Lake Unit Site # 31
However, there was a nice shaded area on one side of our site that provided a nice place to sit in the shade.
Enjoying the shade
Hiking to the Tower
I was happy that my husband agreed to take a hike to a tower in the campground. I have struggled getting enough exercise and the hike was a good one which required some effort. Fortunately, the trail was totally in the shade, which made it relatively cool. This was one of my favorite parts of the campground, but was probably my husband’s last favorite.
The Tower Trail
The 60 foot tower is at the top of Powder Hill, which is a Moulin Kane, formed from glacial rocks. They had the tower closed and blocked from climbing. I would have liked to climb it, but not enough to go through their barricades.
Pike Lake Tower
We had a rainy day where we just hung out at the campground, but we did go into Hartford in the rain for ice cream for dinner. We’re old, so who’s to stop us.
Historic Cedarburg
Cedarburg is small town founded in 1885 and is a suburb of Milwaukee. It has some interesting architecture and an old covered bridge.
Last Covered Bridge circa 1876
The town has many buildings that were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Advent Lutheran ChurchCedarburg Art MuseumBuildings on Washington Street
Most of the shops in this little town were closed, but we had a nice lunch at the historic Stilt House. The outdoor seating was right by Cedar Creek, a large tributary of the Milwaukee River.
Lunch at the Stilt House by the water
Milwaukee was just twenty miles away, so we drove through the city and stopped briefly at Riverwalk. It was very hot and we were tired, so we headed back to Hartford.
We checked out Pike Lake before we went back to the camper. It was a busy place and the lake was lovely. We weren’t tempted, which I took as proof we are old.
Pike Lake
Wisconsin Camping in Chippewa Falls
Lake Wissota State Park
Lake Wissota campground is larger than Pike Lake with over a hundred sites. Our site had no electricity and we were planning to use our new generator. But, we discovered that generators are not allowed. I must use a nebulizer twice daily, so it was a health issue for me. Park personnel were working to allow special permission to use the generator when a sweet young lady in the office discovered a cancellation. They were most helpful in solving my problem and moving us to one of the few electric sites.
Pull through Site #91
Our site had a large open area at the back. It was too bad that we did not have friends along with us to hang out.
Back of Site 91
Chippewa Falls
Chippewa Falls has one of the nicest parks we have ever visited. Because many businesses are closed, we really appreciated being able to enjoy this safe environment. Riverfront Park was one of my favorite stops in Wisconsin in this new pandemic world.
Riverside Park
The park has a shady swing where you can sit by the river.
Chippewa River Runs By the Park
We have never seen solar powered benches before. There were also several places with electrical outlets. This park has so many amenities for its visitors!
Solar Charging Stations on Benches
We were concerned about finding clean and safe bathrooms on this trip because of the virus. The park was great in this area! The building below is an enormous park bathroom that is modern and was exceptionally clean.
Giant immaculate park restroom
Lunch at a Winery
We were more interested in the food truck than the winery. However, they limited the number of people inside the winery and were wearing masks, so we went inside for a tasting. We bought a couple of bottles of wine and some sausage and cheese.
River Bend Vineyard & Winery
The Island Vibe jerk chicken was delicious. We had our chairs with us, but there was no available shade. So, we ate in our car, as so many meals are eaten these days.
Island Vibe Food Truck
The Place We Didn’t Go
Leinenkugel’s Brewery is a major Chippewa Falls attraction. The inside tours are not currently occurring, but we thought we might stop and try one of their beers. When we saw the number of people inside and how close together they were, we passed on this. It had me really wanting to try the beer though, so we got some at the local grocery store. It was pretty good.
Leinenkugels Brewery
In Conclusion
This was the first time either of us have visited Wisconsin. The pandemic made it difficult to interact with the people and experience its culture. We logged more time in the campgrounds than our typical trips. The state is beautiful though and our few interactions with its residents were positive. If you are interested in our trips to other states, check out our page, States Visited, a Campsite Resource.
Illinois was a new camping state for us. Previously, we visited Chicago, but were not camping. So, we camped five nights at three different campgrounds: one was a state park and the other two were private.
The pandemic was definitely a concern, but we considered the risk and had planned ways to reduce our chance in infection, Travel Amid Covid19 for At-Risk Campers. Covid-19 greatly hampered our ability to do what we most love—taking in the local sights and experiencing local cuisine. However, we still managed to do a few things that were high on our priority list.
Eldon Hazlet State Park
Our first Illinois camping site was in Carlyle. The park was lovely with large sites and lots of shade. Unfortunately, we had one of the few that were in full sun and it was during a heat wave. Setting up our camper in that blistering heat was most unpleasant. We were drenched in sweat in no time.
Site #17
Our site was very large though, with a shady backyard on the lake. Carlyle Lake is an enormous reservoir which covers 25,000 acres. Carlyle is the largest lake in Illinois and the largest lake located solely in one state. If fishing or boating is your thing, this campground is for you.
Our backyard on the lake
We were at Hazlet for two nights and pretty much stayed in the campground. I saw a groundhog for the first time in the wild. There were all over the campground, but they are shy creatures who would not let you get too close. I thought they were kinda cute!
One of the numerous groundhogs in the campground
Nearby Eldon Hazlet State Park
We drove to a nearby beach on the lake, but did not go swimming. I did, however, dip my toes in the water.
Beach on Carlyle Lake
After the beach, we drove into nearby Carlyle, a very small town. The town was cute, but pretty much shut down. We got ice cream through the drive through at the local Dairy Queen.
142 Year-old Building in Carlyle
Our camping experience at Hazlet was good overall. Our neighbors on one side were very nice and friendly, but on a Friday night we had very noisy neighbors on the other side that were up till wee hours in the morning. I had to restrain my husband from going to talk to them. You never know what kind a person you might encounter. We wore masks the few times we were briefly indoors and practiced social distancing. I feel we were safe.
The Land of Lincoln
We seek Presidential Libraries in our travels and were very happy that the Lincoln Library was open. For that reason, camping near Springfield was a must.
Illinois Camping at Double J Campground
Our favorite Illinois campground was Double J Campground in Chatham, which is about ten miles south of Springfield. Full hookups with lots of shade trees was nice. Immaculate bathhouses, large pool, well-appointed laundry, and Route 66-themed carpet golf sealed the deal. We loved this campground!
Site # 67
We had an afternoon free to enjoy the pool. Though we kept our distance, we had some nice interactions with some Illinois residents. They were very friendly.
After the pool, we took the opportunity to do a little laundry. So, we were ready to spend the next day in Springfield.
Getting some sun
Lincoln Presidential Library
Abraham Lincoln’s life and presidency is probably the best known of all American presidents. It is certainly true for me. Because of this, there were fewer new insights at this library than there would be in one where I did not know very much about the president. I did feel a great sense of sorrow for all he went through and gratitude for what he accomplished.
There were multiple wax figures and portraits and a couple of shows.
Wax figures of Lincoln Family
The Lincoln Home
The Lincoln home was where he lived for seventeen years while he practiced law. It was where his children were born. I suspect he was very happy during those years. Many of the homes of his neighbors are still standing on the street, which is closed to traffic. There is information provided about his neighbors and their relationships to the Lincolns.
Sadly, the home was not open for tours because of the pandemic. I would have loved to tour it. Hopefully, we will have an opportunity to take the tour one day.
Lincoln’s Springfield Home
Illinois Camping at Blackhawk Valley Campground
Blackhawk Valley Campground was a one night stopover to break up the miles to our next stop. It was a pleasant campground with full hookups, but no pool.
Site #62
There is a river and a tiny little beach area.
River at Blackhawk Valley Campground
Meals in Illinois
Most of our meals were in our camper, which is not our norm. We did not eat inside any restaurant, but we did have a couple of meals where they offered outside dining. Our first meal was in Camden at a strip mall. It was hot outside, but still nice to not have to cook. Service was excellent, but we were not crazy about the food.
Our second and favorite meal was at Obed & Issac’s. It is located in the house below and we were able to snag a table on the front porch. There were only two other people on the porch and they were at least twelve feet away.
Obed & Issac’s Microbrewery and Eatery
I had chicken and waffles and my husband had an omelet. The food was very good and the service was excellent. We were grateful to have been able to have this dining experience, given the circumstances.
First drink out since early March
Illinois Camping Conclusion
Overall, Illinois camping was good for us and the people were friendly and accommodating. I mourn some of the things we were unable to see and do, but am grateful for this opportunity to visit this state and travel with my sweet husband.
Travel amid Covid19 is a whole new ballgame. The next twelve months have a look of extreme uncertainty. There is the danger of the virus, plus the risk of lack of access to needed goods and services while away from home. I am also concerned about our personal safety. I haven’t really worried a lot about safety while camping in the past, but now feels like a greater risk.
Our Situation
My husband and I are part of the at-risk population. Both over sixty-five, we also have lung issues. We can’t just go out into the world like younger, healthier members of the population. The virus could easily prove serious or even deadly for us.
However, at our age, there are only so many opportunities to get out and see this beautiful world. I believe there will be some time to hang around the house when we are not able to travel, but we don’t want to start that phase of our life just yet.
Travel is our favorite retirement pastime. We love air travel, but will have to wait until the virus risk is greatly diminished. Camping is considered much safer and we plan to actively camp this year. Our ultimate goal is to camp in all fifty states. We planned to visit more than a dozen new states this year. I have partially booked a long, far away, autumn trip and an extensive summer trip is now reserved.
Our Preferred Travel Style
Under normal circumstances, we like to cover a lot of ground on our longer camping trips. Our desire is to experience life in other parts of the country. We prefer State and National Parks because they generally offer a closer experience with nature and a bit more privacy than commercial campgrounds. Additionally, we like to check out small and medium cities while on the road. Museums, historic sites, and presidential libraries are also sought. Lastly, we like to experience the local cuisine and have had some exceptional meals on the road. Our last trip, Skidaway Island State Park, One of Georgia’s Finest, is a good example of how we like to travel and camp.
Travel Amid COVID19 Modifications
Spending More Time in the Campground. While we love visiting the local sights, they often involve close contact with others. Also, two presidential libraries I wanted to visit during our summer trip will be closed. It is likely this will be true for most attractions. So, we will be prepared to enjoy the natural beauty of each area we visit without having as much of the cultural experience. Games and leisurely walks will be our entertainment.
Cooking Most Meals at the Campsites. For many, this may be the norm, but we love finding great food on the road. We will do takeout in the local areas and perhaps to eat outside at a restaurant. However, we will not be having any meals inside restaurants.
Fully Utilizing Our Camper’s Bathroom. Many of the campground bathhouses in our summer trip are currently closed. Also, there has been some indication that public bathrooms can be somewhat risky because of the virus. We generally take showers in campground bathhouses because our shower is small. The toilet in our camper has mostly been used at nighttime. However, travel amid Covid19 will require our T@B 400 to be our only bathroom resource for much of the trip.
Safety Precautions. Masks, increased hand washing, and social distancing will be a part of our camping trip, just like it has been at home. The greatest risk will be when we buy groceries and fuel or go out among people.
Our tiny bathroom
New Gear as a Precaution
I was concerned that if there is a severe outbreak of the virus while we are on the road, we might not be able to get back home when planned. We thought a generator was a good idea. We chose the Sportsman 2200 because it runs on propane and gasoline.
Our 2019 400 has a heavier tongue than later models. So, we don’t have the option of adding the platform to mount a generator and gasoline to our camper. Additionally, our tow vehicle is an SUV. So, we don’t have any outside storage. The propane option for a generator meant that we wouldn’t have the gasoline smell inside our camper or tow vehicle. We hope this proves to be a good purchase.
Sportsman 2200 Dual Fuel Generator
The thought of being on the road again and visiting unfamiliar places is exciting. However, it will be different from trips of the past.
Happy and Safe Camping!
Update
Here are posts about our travels during the pandemic.
My bucket list has included Skidaway Island State Park in Georgia since we first began camping. We were eager to visit because it’s so highly rated and near the beautiful Savannah. So, it seemed a logical stop on our way home from our winter trip along the Florida coast.
At the campground, there was a handy map of all the Georgia State Parks. I took a photo because I think it might help future trip planning.
Georgia State Parks
Skidaway has an abundance of gorgeous Spanish moss laden live oak trees which are such an iconic part of the Savannah area. We had site # 42; a lovely pull through with full hookups.
Skidaway Island State Park
We arrived just before sunset and were able to set up ahead the rain. However, dinner out at a nearby Chinese restaurant involved torrential rain and wading through ponds of water. Also, it had gotten much colder! The rain did, however, sound good on our camper while we slept.
A Rainy Day Plan
Our first full day in the area was filled with cold and rain, so we sought mostly indoor things to do. Despite the weather, it was a memorable day.
Pin Point Heritage Museum
This proved to be an interesting place. The museum is dedicated to the Gullah/Geechee culture, of which I did not know anything. The people there harvested oysters and crabs for 100 years, starting during the time of slavery. There is a movie with interviews of people in the area and an excellent tour that takes you into the history of the life and times in the area.
Interestingly, a famous person hailed from the area. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was born there.
Mrs.Wilkes Dining Room
We were looking for lunch after Pin Point and literary stumbled on a very unique dining experience. I chose it because we wanted a nearby place to eat while it was raining. The address was in our GPS, but it it was not much for signage. I asked a man on the street about it and he said, “follow the smells.” You could tell there was food in the area.
At Mrs. Wilkes, there are large tables that seat ten people and you eat with those that arrive at the same approximate time as you. We sat with travelers from as far away as New York. All were friendly! One couple had traveled hundreds of miles to eat at this restaurant for his birthday.
The food was homemade, abundant, and delicious. Some of our lunch mates had been there many times before and they said that the line is typically around the block to get in. That day for lunch, the rain was our friend.
A feast at Mrs. Wilkes
Forsyth Park
After eating way too much lunch, we were in need of a little exercise. Nearby Forsyth Park was just the ticket. It is a beautiful park with a lovely fountain. However, we did not stay long because of the rain and cold.
Forsyth Park FountainBeautiful Savannah
American Prohibition Museum
This was a great rainy day thing to do. It is the only museum in America dedicated to the history of prohibition, which occurred from 1920-1933. Firstly, it features some excellent displays with realistic wax figures.
Display at the Prohibition MuseumSome clothing of the times
Most noteworthy, the museum also provides scads of facts about what lead to the 18th Amendment which banned liquor and the resultant times. Prohibition ended with the 21st Amendment.
The self-guided tour ends with entrance into a speak easy where you can have a cocktail reminiscent of the times. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing and learned a bit as well.
Skidaway Island and A Sunny Day
Our second full day was sunny and dry. Such a welcome sight! We rented bikes and explored the campground. It was a nice peaceful day.
Biking the Campground
Lastly, we met friends who had moved to nearby Jekyll Island from our hometown for dinner. It was very nice to see them!
A Foreboding
The last few days of our trip, we were beginning to hear more everyday about a new threat, the Covid-19. As we were still traveling, we sought some hand sanitizer. Alas, none were to be had at the local Publix nor Walmart. Little did we know that most of the world would soon be on lockdown and future travel plans would be cancelled.
Wishing you well and safe from the virus! Hoping we can all go camping soon!
This winter trip camping along the Florida coast was more than a year in planning because we tried to reserve in the more popular Florida state parks. We also camped at three campgrounds last year, Florida Campgrounds, Three Highly-Rated Parks.
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Topsail is one of the nicest state parks we have visited. It is on Santa Rosa Island in a beautiful resort area. We paid $46 a night for an immaculate pull-through shaded site with a concrete slab and full hookups. However, you must book extremely early to snare a spot at this popular park.
Site 89 at Topsail Hill
A gorgeous, isolated beach is a 3/4 mile walk or a free tram ride away. The tram runs every hour from 9 to 5.
The boardwalk to the beachEnjoying the beautiful Topsail Beach
The park and the beach were wonderful, but our weather was not the best. It rained the first full day we were there and it was very cloudy and humid with drizzle the next. But, we enjoyed it because we went to see the movie, 1917, on the first day and some friends drove in from Port St. Joe to visit us on the second day. Overall, our stay at Topsail was very nice.
Manatee Springs State Park
Manatee Springs is a very special park. For a very economical nightly rate of $25 a night, we had a large, level site with full hookups.
Site 12 Manatee Springs
Within the park, we had many sightings of deer and we saw manatees on two separate occasions.
Deer at Manatee SpringsManatees in the Springs
The Springs are beautiful and you can experience them up close in one of the canoes that are offered for rent. Bikes are also available. If you are hungry, barbeque is sold on site daily. There is very little cell reception in the park, but there is WiFi in the rental area.
Manatee Springs
Hillsborough River State Park
We had three nights in site #26 at Hillsborough River, which is near Tampa. Our new awning was up for the second time and we liked the bit of privacy it provided. The park has nice hiking trails and a large pool. However, we did not utilize either on this trip.
Site #26
Our first full day was cold and rainy. So, our camping friends went with us to Tampa where we visited the Tampa Bay History Center and had lunch at Columbia Restaurant. At Columbia, the White Chocolate Bread Pudding was amazing and so was its 1905 Salad.
Lunch at Columbia Restaurant at Riverwalk
Our next day, we really enjoyed a visit to a small museum in Zephyrhills, the Museum of Military History. It has many artifacts from several wars. The museum is free, but is only currently open on Saturdays. Strawberries were in season in Plant City, so we ended our day with strawberry shortcake from one of the local farms. Timing was with us for these two special treats.
Museum of Military History
Florida Coast at Collier-Seminole State Park
Collier-Seminole is about twenty miles southeast of Naples and it has vegetation and wildlife typical of the Everglades. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was. There are multiple bathhouses which were very nice for a state park.
Site # 30
The park began in 1924 to build the Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) which crosses the Everglades, linking Tampa and Miami. The Walking Dredge was used to build the road and is now a National Historic Landmark.
National Historic Landmark, the Walking Dredge
Access to the Blackwater River is within the park. It is a beautiful place to canoe and the park offers them for rental. Tours are also offered on certain days.
Blackwater River
Because we only had one full day at this park, we just stayed onsite. In addition, the park had bikes for rent at $10 for two hours. It was a beautiful, breezy day—perfect for biking. So we really enjoyed it!
Rental bikes are available
The Florida Coast, Camping in the Lower Keys
Sadly, we could not get a spot at a state park for the Keys. We actually booked at an RV park almost a year in advance because there were not many options. Lazy Lakes RV resort in the lower keys proved to be a nice place to stay, but it was expensive. We had full hookups and a heated pool, but it was $100 a night. Not your typical camping rates.
Site # 34 at Lazy Lakes RV Resort
We had a partial day of beautiful, sunny, and warm weather. This part of the Florida coast was astounding to see—so much gorgeous water everywhere. We drove around and just took in the atmosphere.
View from a boat launchOld Railroad Bridge
An huge (to me) iguana was a frequent visitor at our site. My husband gave him some sweet potato. I stayed away.
Our Visiting Iguana
Dinner was at our campsite with our friends who were camping with us, followed by a game of Mexican Train. It was a rainy evening, so we did not leave the campground.
Key West
We drove to Key West for our next full day. The weather had turned cold and wet. We stood in line for about 15 minutes to get a photo of the marker for the Southernmost Point in the continental U.S. Cuba is only 90 miles away and we were told that on a clear night you can see its lights. A couple in our campground planned to take a flight there that included meals and a tour for $900 each. That’s a little too rich for my blood.
The Southernmost Point
The Truman Little White House
My favorite part of the day was a visit to the Truman Little White House, but getting there was quite challenging. Parking was nonexistent except for a few lots and traffic was very heavy. Then, there was quite a walk through a neighborhood to get to the house, which has a very interesting history. However, I really loved what we learned about Truman on the tour. We have not yet visited the Truman Library, so it was good to learn about him personally and his accomplishments. The guide was excellent! Also, it was inside and away from the cold and rain.
Truman’s Little White House
We had a delicious lunch at Blue Heaven. Though it was late in the afternoon on a cold, rainy day, there was still a wait of about 20 minutes. The food was good though.
Lunch at Blue Heaven
We tried to visit the Hemingway House, but they only accepted cash, which we did not have with us. So, we walked around a bit and bought some macaroons at a nearby bakery. We were back at our campsite before dark. Old folks!
The next morning, we said goodbye to our camping friends and were on our own for the remainder of the trip.
The Everglades
Our Everglades home for three nights was Long Pine Key Campground in Everglades National Park. Though it was dry camping, the campground was excellent. The roads were paved and the sites were roomy with pretty vegetation. The bathhouse and separate restrooms were nice and well-maintained. There is also a dump station and fresh water available. It was inexpensive at $24 a night. So, on our first afternoon, we cooked hot dogs and enjoyed all the birds that came to visit, including a pair of cardinals. It was so peaceful!
Site #99
The Miami Connection
Last year, we visited Miami on a non-camping trip and I got a short haircut that I loved. Wanting to obtain another magical cut, I contacted the same hairdresser and arranged for her to cut my hair again. So, we drove approximately an hour to Miami Beach and I had the same lady cut my hair. It was not the worst haircut I have ever had, but still, it was pretty bad. So disappointing!
Afterwards, we had a nice Italian meal outside at Mercado Della Pescheria on lively Española Way. The meal was good and the people watching was pretty interesting as well.
Late lunch at Mercado Della Pescheria
Exploring the Glades
Our second full day was all about exploring the National Park. We took a short walk on a nearby trail. It would be great for bikes, but was a little boring to walk. There were bikes available for rent in the campground.
Long Pine Key Trail
However, we decided our time could best be spent driving the 35 miles south to Flamingo, which is at the bottom of Florida and the Everglades. There is a campground there and we checked it out. It has full hookups, but is not nearly as nice as Long Pine.
Along the way, stopped at Mrazek Pond, one of many in the area. It was teaming with wildlife.
Mrazek Pond
Flamingo
Flamingo was rather lively. There was a a marina and you could take boat rides. We got hamburgers at a food truck. When I got up to throw away the containers, a large crow grabbed the strap on my camera and attempted to fly away with it. He didn’t get far and my husband was chasing him, but my camera dropped on the concrete. It seems to be working though.
The excitement continued when we had the opportunity to see a crocodile pretty close. He was just sunning himself on the shore. I personally think my husband was a little too close.
Florida Crocodile in the Wild
Lastly, we visited the beach. The water was very shallow and calm. The color was different from what we have seen elsewhere along the Florida coast. It was kind of a mint green—rather strange, but pretty in its own way.
Everglades Beach
The weather was fabulous while we were in the Everglades, so we did not miss having an air conditioner. Mosquitos were my biggest fear, but they were not bad at all. That was probably because we were there at the end of February. In conclusion, we loved this stop on our trip.
Tomeka State Park
Our last stop along the Florida coast was Tomeka State Park at Ormond Beach. It has an amazing canopy of live oaks nestled between the Tomeka and the Halifax rivers. The campground was beautiful and there was a lot to do and see nearby.
Site #44
We had an excellent meal at nearby Hulls Seafood. Another winner in the area is Donnie’s Donuts. Both were recommended by the park ranger. Needless to say, we both gained some weight on this trip.
The Casements
Sadly, we only had one full day in the area. The summer home of John D. Rockefeller, the Casements, was our first stop. The tour was free, donations requested. We really enjoyed it. The house has an interesting history and there was also lots to learn about Rockefeller.
The Casements, John D. Rockefeller’s Summer Home
We had Thai food for lunch and spent our afternoon at the Battle of Dunlawton Plantation. It was another free activity that offered the history of a plantation during the second Seminole War in 1836. Some of the equipment used for sugar production still stands. This eclectic site also has lovely and whimsical gardens.
Sugar Production Equipment in 1836Tree Elves
This was a wonderful stop on our trip and the community of Ormond Beach spoke to me. I would like to return someday.
Conclusion
We were so blessed to be able to take this trip along the Florida coast! But, when it was time to go, I had been sick for months with a respiratory infection. I was on my sixth round of antibiotics and my doctor said if I didn’t get better, I would need intravenous antibiotics in the hospital.
We departed with just a few days of antibiotics remaining and me with a considerable cough, not knowing if we would have to return early. I am happy to say that steadily I became better in the warm, sunny Florida climate. It was such a great trip!
The mattress was okay when we first purchased our T@B 400. The bed was comfortable despite being smaller than the one in our T@G XL. It offered decent support because of the Froli spring system, the new mattresses, and the 2” foam topper we added from our old camper.
But, after almost two years of use, the bed had become quite uncomfortable. The thin mattresses were not holding up well and the now four-year old foam topper had split where the mattresses tend to separate. We needed an upgrade!
The IKEA Option
I asked a T@B Facebook group for recommendations. Mimi, a very helpful lady, shared her solution: an IKEA foam mattress trimmed to fit the 400. She was so helpful that she also gave me a link to a current IKEA mattress similar to the one she had purchased. It was $189, which I felt was a reasonable price. I especially liked that it had a very well-made zippered mattress pad that is machine washable.
The Trim Process
The mattress came very tightly rolled and we transported it in the back of our SUV while returning from a camping trip. We removed the foam from the cover and allowed it to sit for a few days to allow it to totally open and the smells to dissipate. (This was recommended, but it did not have an odor to us.).
Earlier, in our camper, we had removed the old foam topper and measured the dimensions of the bed. Below are my notes. We did three cuts, one for length (78”), one for width (55”), and one 10” cut for the corner near the refrigerator (starting at 49” width and 71” length). My note says the corner is 9”, but I decided to cut 10”. It worked well. My husband used a serrated knife to make the cuts. We marked places along the path on the smooth side of the foam and he cut using a straight edge as a guide.
T@B 400 Bed Dimensions
The foam has an egg crate pattern on one side and I verified that it should be on top. It was important to remember this when making the corner cut. It is described as 3 7/8” thick and below is a photo of the it.
3 7/8” Foam
After the cuts, we zippered the foam into the mattress pad and installed it in the camper on top of the older mattresses. It is a little higher than our previous bed because the new foam is thicker, but it works for us. Note the corner cut in the photo below.
View of the Corner
The Sliding Mattress Solution
Our old foam tore because there was excess space between the three mattresses. We opted to insert a 2×4 along the back wall under the window. This forced the mattresses to sit flush against the two wall areas on the other side of the bed. We don’t yet know if this will have the desired effect of keeping them still, but felt it was worth a try.
2 x 4 Insertion
Hindsight Thoughts
We are very happy with our new IKEA addition! It is comfortable so far and the bed does not shift like it did before.
We measured very carefully to adjust the size to our specific bed. However, I wish we had taken an additional inch off the height and width because it is a little tight. But, I don’t think it would be worth the effort to cut again.
Our New, Comfortable Bed
Lastly, here is our made up bed, which is always a chore!
You should sanitize the fresh water system in your camper at least once a year. It is important for several reasons.
Firstly, it helps keep the lines and tank fresh.
Secondly, it discourages the growth of bacteria that can contaminate the water supply and create illness.
Lastly, it is important to protect the water pump. NüCamp recommends annual sanitation of the water system as well in the T@B 400 Manual.
When to Sanitize the Fresh Water System
This is a task that can be performed anytime, however, developing a routine is good so that it doesn’t get forgotten. I think a good time is when getting the camper ready for a new season. We plan to do this annually as we dewinterize our camper.
Begin with an empty water tank and ensure that the hot water heater is not on.
Pour 1/2 cup of bleach into a gallon container and then fill the container with water. (One quarter cup of bleach is needed for every 15 gallons of water and the T@B 400 water tank holds 30 gallons.). Pour the diluted bleach mixture into the fresh water tank using a funnel.
Fill the fresh water tank with water. Next, turn on the water pump and turn on each of the faucets to allow the bleach mixture to distribute to all areas. Then, turn off the pump and faucets.
Allow the bleach mixture to sit in the fresh water system for a minimum of three hours or as long as overnight. You need this because it takes time to sanitize the system.
After allowing the mixture to sit in the system, fully drain the fresh water tank.
Next, refill the water tank with fresh water and turn on the water pump. This will refill the hot water tank.
Now you are ready to turn on all the faucets to bring the fresh water through.
Continue to flush water through the faucets even after the bleach smell has subsided. More is actually good in this case.
Finally, you have sanitized your fresh water system!
While camping, we always take a Brita water filter. It removes several undesirable elements from the water, including the odor and taste of chlorine. I highly recommend using something like the Brita to eliminate any residual bleach effects.
The Hot Water Bypass Valve
While you should bypass the hot water tank when pumping antifreeze into the fresh water system, it is not needed for the sanitation process. In fact, you want to include the hot water tank in the sanitation process. Therefore, the valve should not be set to bypass.
Year three of retirement looked a lot like one and two. The time went by so quickly! It is a bit scary how easy it has been to adapt to a very relaxed lifestyle. I still love that we can basically sleep as much as we like. However, we do like getting up early to maximize sunshine. I can’t seem to get enough of that.
My husband and I are together 24/7 and most of the time it is fine, but sometimes we get on each other’s nerves. But, he is still my best friend and I can’t imagine doing this retirement thing with anyone besides him.
Family
It is good to be able to spend as much time as possible with family. Our grandchildren are in their teens and beyond now. We had another grandson graduate high school this year. Even our great grandchildren are no longer babies. The passage of time is so easily seen through our grandchildren and especially our great grandchildren.
Oldest daughter’s familyGranddaughter’s FamilyYoungest daughter’s family
Our son got married, so we have a new daughter. But, they moved out of the country this year. They are happy and we are happy for them, but hope we will continue to see them often. This year, they visited several times and we were very grateful.
The Newlyweds
Travel
Our favorite retirement pastime is traveling. This year we traveled by plane, train, coach, and camper. All were a blast! We know that our ability to travel can end abruptly at any time, so we cherish this time of mobility and exploration.
Camping in the 400
Most of our traveling time was in our T@B 400, which we had for the entire year. We took one fabulous 3,000-mile trip, Long Summer Trip 2019, with Friends Old and New , that included a üCamp Rally, five new states to add to our map, an island with wild horses, Shenandoah National Park, and the gorgeous Outer Banks.
Our Big Camping Trip
We attended our second üCamp and it was so much fun despite quite a bit of rain and muddy conditions. This rally left us even more impressed with nüCamp as an RV brand.
Winklepleck Grove, the site of üCamp 19
The T@B 400 really increased our comfort while camping. It performed beautifully for our five week long trip and some smaller ones. We sold our T@G early in the year and it was sad to see it go, but we love the 400. No regrets whatsoever!
Comfortable in our 400
A highlight of our trip was seeing wild horses in our campsite at Assateague Island. It was so exciting to see them.
Wild horses in our campsite
The Outer Banks were even more beautiful than anticipated. We were in a small campground in Rodanthe and were blessed to experience the most beautiful sunsets over the sound.
Sunset in Rodanthe
Many of our camping trips were with groups. We camped a couple of times with our friends from dancing and a couple of our camping trips were with the Southeastern T@Bs, T@Gs and Friends. We also attended the Tiny Christmas Campout for the third time.
Cheaha State Park with SE T@B Group
Winter Getaway to Miami
Miami was our winter getaway for this third year of retirement and it was more fun than we could have imagined. We stayed at the Dream Hotel in Miami Beach, which was in a fabulous location. It was a couple of blocks from legendary Ocean Drive and the Beach. The weather was clear, warm, and sunny during our entire stay.
Beautiful Miami Beach
We tried to take in all the local sights of interest to us including Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Wynwood Walls, the Holocaust Memorial, Little Havana, and the Wolfsonian Museum. We also took a bus tour of the city and one to the Everglades for an airboat ride.
Vizcaya MansionHolocaust Memorial
Lastly, Miami gave me one of my favorite short haircuts ever. I spent the rest of the year trying in vain to find someone local to replicate it.
The United Kingdom
This was our first trip to Europe since retirement and it did not disappoint. We booked a Collette tour through Alabama Public Television. Collette Tours has become our favorite guided tour company. This tour had two spectacular inclusions that are not always available, Highclere Castle (the Downton Abbey site) and the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland. Both were wonderful beyond words.
Highclere CastleMilitary Tattoo in Edinburgh ScotlandHand Clasping at Gretna GreenStratford Upon Avon
I have wanted to visit the UK for many years and this was truly a dream vacation.
A Train Ride to NOLA
We traveled by train to New Orleans in May with our Viking Dance Group. It was our first time to travel by train in the United States. We loved being able to hang out with our Viking friends while visiting this historic city. It was quite lively because our hotel, the Saint Marie, is in the French Quarter.
Jackson Square
Dancing
I am sad to say that our ballroom dancing has fallen by the wayside a bit. It declined over the years as my husband’s knee issues progressed and we have forgotten much of what we knew. I hope to revive it some in 2020.
Fortunately, we did attend some dances, including our Viking group’s Leadout. The theme this year was “Around the World in 40 Songs.” Everyone dressed to represent a country and ours was Scotland. My husband’s legs were the focus of much attention. He is a bold man!
Viking 2019 Leadout
Year Three of Retirement Health Issues
This year was our healthiest one to date because I fought respiratory issues for three months the first year and my husband’s had knee issues and then pulmonary embolisms which made it quite challenging. In year two I was good, but knee replacement occurred for my husband and it was not easy.
While this year provided more mobility for my husband, I learned that bronchiectasis is the reason for my decades old respiratory issues. I started getting sick in late October and ended the year still trying to get over the repeated infections. However, I have high hope for a Kirklin Clinic specialist I am seeing in January.
Conclusion
This third year of retirement, 2019, was truly wonderful. It was not perfect or without its challenges, but it was wonderful to be able to live this year as we did and especially to be together. Time is passing though and nothing is guaranteed for tomorrow. As a plaque of mine says, “Dream as if you’ll live forever, Live as if you’ll die tomorrow.”
In retirement, we have tried to take a short trip during January. Last year, we visited Los Angeles, Escape from the Cold to Los Angeles. This year, to get away from the cold and dreary that seems to go on forever, we spent a few days in Phoenix. It was our first time to stay in the city, though we have visited nearby Tucson.
The weather was beautiful—clear blue skies with daytime highs in the mid sixties. Above all, it was 10 to 15 degrees higher in the daytime than at home in Alabama. The sunsets were incredible from the rooftop bar at our hotel and the bartender makes an incredible Old Fashioned, our new favorite drink!
Sunset view from the hotel rooftop
A Downtown Hotel
We chose the Downtown Hilton Garden Inn because of its location and great reviews. There are many nice restaurants nearby and the Phoenix light rail is just a few blocks away.
Hilton Garden Inn Downtown
The hotel is a newly remodeled historic landmark building, the 1931 Professional Building. Though the building is historic, its interior is modern and comfortable. Also, the Art Deco building was in the opening scene for the movie, “Psycho”, and there are references to the movie on several hotel walls. A lighted revolving sign, once atop the building, was said to be the country’s largest revolving sign.
Psycho Movie References
Phoenix Attractions
We wanted to see all the highlights of the Phoenix area. Most of our travel is in an 18-foot camper, but we only pass through large cities. It was nice to be in the heart of downtown.
Desert Botanical Garden
The garden is one of the most popular attractions in Phoenix and it was truly beautiful. It is located in Papago Park. There were two other attractions in Papago we did not visit, the Zoo and Hole in the Rock. For younger, more active visitors, they would be something to consider.
Desert Botanical GardenCrackle ArtCamelback Mountain View from Desert Botanical Garden
Arizona Capital Museum
This free museum devoted to the history of Arizona was worth the time. It is in the 1901 State Capitol Building. It has information on the history of the Arizona Constitution, an enormous model train, some touching artifacts from the USS Arizona, and some really cool petrified wood.
Arizona Capital MuseumPetrified Wood
Phoenix Art Museum
The museum is one of the largest in the Southwest. A bonus for my husband, there was a temporary exhibit devoted to race cars, Legends of Speed. I was happy there was something he really liked.
Legends of Speed1929 Bentley
Taliesin West
Taliesin West was the winter home of Frank Lloyd Wright, certainly the most famous architect ever in North America. Our tour guide, Jane, was very entertaining and shared lots of personal details about the architectural legend. It was quite a distance from downtown Phoenix, but I would have regretted not seeing it while in the area. Today, the building houses an accredited master’s degree program in architecture.
Taliesin West
Scottsdale
We took the light rail to Scottsdale, a nearby city that is east of Phoenix. It is known for spa resorts and golf courses. While we did neither, we enjoyed walking around Old Town, which has an abundance of restaurants and shopping. We had a delicious lunch at Barrio Queen, rode the trolley around the area, and checked out some of the shops.
Hanging Out in Scottsdale
Fantastic Food
We had several outstanding meals while in Phoenix. The absolute best meal as at Harumi Sushi, which was just a few blocks from our hotel. It was also the best sushi ever for both of us.
“Oh My God” Sushi at Harumi Sushi
We also visited MacAlpine’s Diner and Soda Fountain, which is like stepping back in time. A 1928 pharmacy and soda fountain was sold to Fred MacAlpine in 1938 and it has continued in the same location ever since. It has wooden booths with juke box selections, 50s-style food and drinks, and vintage decor. Additionally, there is an antique store in the building and it spills into the restaurant. The food was good, but the ambiance was excellent.
MacAlpine’s Diner and Soda Fountain
We also had excellent breakfasts at Breakfast Club (delicious Herve Rancheros) and Centrico, located in the historic San Carlos Hotel.
Getting Around
Uber was our primary mode of transportation and we loved using it because all our drivers were amiable and helpful. However, I wish we had utilized the light rail earlier in our trip. The stops were just a few blocks from our hotel. One can ride all day for $4 ($2 for seniors). We took the light rail to Tempe on our last full day and got off at Mill Avenue and Third. This stop is at the main shopping and restaurant area in Tempe.
Conclusion
Phoenix was a nice break from winter in Alabama because it offers warm temperatures, great food, and plenty of interesting things to do! Everything about our trip was positive except for the impact the dry climate had on our sinuses. We both had sinus issues during our stay. If visiting, I strongly advise the frequent use of a saline nasal spray.
Cold weather camping can be tricky because of uncertain temperatures and the necessity to prevent water from freezing in the camper. Our trip was in mid-November to North Carolina with the Southeast T@B group. Ironically, we experienced temperatures in the high nineties just a couple of weeks prior.
We had been tracking our local weather and the weather in Apex, where we would be camping. It became clear that temperatures in the teens would be occurring in our home area a couple of days before we left, so we had to winterize our camper. However, we wanted to use our water system camping in Apex and it would be above freezing while we were there. So, we used the blowout method for winterization and filled our fresh water tank while on the road. If freezing temperatures had continued on our trip, we would left our camper winterized.
Crosswinds Campground
Our group had a nice representation at Crosswinds Campground, despite the weather. There were approximately 10 campers from our group. The campground is very nice with an immaculate, heated bathhouse. We kept our campsite pretty basic because rain and high winds were expected.
C Loop Site #27
Southeastern T@B Group
It was good to see several friends with whom we have camped before and to meet new people. The weather impeded some activities, but we were still able to spend some quality time with group members. There was a meet and greet by a campfire one night and a potluck on another. We also met several in the group for an early dinner out at nearby Al’s Burger Shack. The weather was good enough one day to allow for a brief hike with a few from the group. We really enjoy camping with these people!
Group PotluckHiking by Jordan Lake
Cold Weather Outside Activities
Cold weather camping also means that it is more likely to be unpleasant outside. Two of our days were windy, cold and/or rainy. We went to nearby Raleigh one of those days. I needed a refill on antibiotics for an upper respiratory issue and Raleigh’s CVS took care of my meds. I was happy to have that done as I was beginning to feel quite unwell.
Because we have visited this area before, North Carolina Camping, Mountain, City, and Coast, we had seen several of its major attractions. So, on this very cold and windy day, we visited one of its lesser attractions, the City of Raleigh Museum. It is a small museum, but indoors and free! I enjoyed a display on “A History of Political Cartoons”, featuring the career of Dwane Powell. It gave me a new appreciation for the craft.
City of Raleigh Museum“Mom Begged Aunt Myrtle”, November 2000
Dinner in Raleigh
We topped off our day in Raleigh by meeting Kevin and Gloria, a couple we have known for a couple of years, at a new trendy Raleigh Food Court, Morgan Street Food Hall. They have just about every food you can imagine. The food was good, but pricey for what you get. It was good to spend time with Kevin and Gloria.
Camping Drama
Our last day camping, most everyone from our group had left and it was a rainy day. We planned a movie and dinner out. Leaving the campground, we encountered a truck whose driver was behaving suspiciously. The driver was going slowly through the campground and stopping as various campsites. We felt that our campsite was at risk in this mostly deserted campground, so we followed the truck. The driver continued to behave suspiciously and because the entrance to the park was not manned, we called the number associated with the park. The said they would send someone. When we returned, we met a ranger and we told him we were the ones who called. Was it paranoia or a real threat? We will never know.
Suspicious vehicle
What’s Next
While we enjoyed this trip with our SE camping group, it was a long way to travel and the weather was far less than ideal. However, it was a bit of an adventure.
Our next trip is Pensacola and the Tiny Christmas Campout.
Mrs.Wilkes Dining Room
