Several years ago Jarrett and I read an article about a place nicknamed the “Cape Cod of the Midwest.” To locals it’s just called Door County, Wis., a 70-mile long peninsula along Lake Michigan that is dotted with resort communities and pastoral farm land. But every year, more than 2 million visitors flock to the region, which boasts five state parks, 11 historic lighthouses, and more
Trip Planning
How to pack a camper (when it’s at the storage unit)
Last week we shared how storing our camper in the South saved us time and money this winter. And while this plan worked out really well for us, having a camper in storage forced me to prep and pack entirely different from the way I typically get ready for our camping trips. Usually our camper is parked right next to our garage, so loading the RV
How RV storage saved us time & money
Last year as we plotted RVing trips to the South over Thanksgiving, New Year’s, and spring break, we had this random idea: What if we just left the camper in the South at an RV storage spot all winter? It would definitely save ourselves the hassle of hauling the camper back and forth through the mountains (in the winter!) each time. But we were also
10 ways to make your dollars go further (so you can RV more!)
Our family spends a lot of time on the road with the camper behind us. Last year we lived seven weeks in the camper, and traveled 12,350 miles with it in tow. Lots of mileage = lots of gas = a whole lot of mulah. Since our adventures are limited to the extent of our travel budget, over the years we’ve found a few ways
Don’t blink: The 10-year-plan for creating family connections
“Don’t blink. You might just miss your babies growing like mine did. … Life goes faster than you think.” Kenny Chesney’s Don’t Blink lyrics sum up what life has felt like since the birth of our oldest 10 years ago. I can remember everyone telling us to treasure the little years because they would fly by in a blink. And although we knew they were
Camping countdown: How we plan and prepare for our RVing adventures
Last month when we returned from our three-week summer adventure to Michigan and Wisconsin, reader Kristin T. commented on Facebook that she would love to read a blog post about prepping for longer road trips: “I’m interested in meal planning, grocery shopping, storage of food, etc.” It was a great post idea, so we were happy to oblige. 🙂 This is Part One of a
10 tips for an epic fall campout
The first day of autumn is still several weeks away, but now’s the time to start planning your fall campout! Autumn is our whole family’s favorite time of year and the perfect time of year to go camping. The temperatures are cooler, campgrounds tend to be less crowded, and those pesky mosquitoes are (mostly) gone! With our summer camping adventures winding down, we are starting
The Insider’s Guide: 5 secret tips to visit the National Parks like a pro!
Families across the country are gearing up for their summer travels with plans to explore the more than 400 National Park Service sites scattered across the country. Whether walking in the footsteps of history or hiking through the majestic wilderness, our nation’s park system offers experiences of all kinds, perfect for every explorer. So far our family has had the chance to discover more than 30 NPS sites–and this
One thing to get your kids outside more
As the school year winds down and families gear up for summer, many parents or grandparents are looking for ideas to get their kids or grandkids away from screens and opting outside. In his best-selling book Last Child in the Woods, author Richard Louv coined the term “nature-deficit disorder,” a condition that is becoming more prevalent in homes as children spend less time outside and more time in front