Tag: 5th-wheel

Big Wheels, Bigger Views

This leg of our journey took us winding through Michigan, Ohio, Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania — each state with its own charm and surprises. After a short stint in Wisconsin, we rolled into Michigan, where the air was crisp and the scenery stunning. This was our first time exploring Michigan and the highlight was Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where the cliffs rise dramatically over the turquoise waters of Lake Superior. Kayakers looked like colorful specks beneath the towering formations, and every turn on the trail opened up to another postcard-worthy view. We were able to get a last minute sunset cruise that let us see the beauty up close and personal.

Mackinac Island was next, a timeless step back in history where bicycles and horse-drawn carriages rule the streets instead of cars. We explored the island’s scenic trails by renting a bicycle and cycling around the entire island, visited the iconic Grand Hotel, had an amazing lunch at Carriage House, watched them shoot off a canon at Fort Mackinac and watched the sunset paint the Straits of Mackinac in soft orange and pink hues. We loved the location of our rv spot, Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping, which was easy access to all things Mackinaw! We topped off our time there with a visit to the Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park which was very educational.

From there, we headed south to Frankenmuth, a Bavarian-style village that feels like a slice of Germany in the Midwest. We indulged in world-famous chicken dinner at the famous Zehnders, watched the clock tower at the Bavarian Inn, strolled through the quaint downtown shops, and soaked in the festive, small-town atmosphere. Aaron got us a last minute booking on the Cass River where we had wine tasting and chocolate. No complaints there. We stepped into the largest Christmas store…no scratch that, warehouse we have ever been to in our lives, the Bronner”s Christmas Wonderland, where the daily electrical bill runs around $1250/day. The highlight of this entire stay was my first sighting of fireflies out in the corn fields….ahhhhh, pure heaven.

Crossing into Ohio, we didn’t have too much time to drive through rolling farmlands and stop at small-town diners that reminded us how friendly and genuine people can be. What we did get to witness for the first time ever was a good old fashioned rv park brawl which led to the neighbors getting punted around 8:30 at night with a police escort. Luckily we were just spectators! I had a little surprise up my sleeve at this stop along the way. I wanted to explore the island of Put-in-Bay in Lake Erie, so we took a ferry over and rented some scooters and saw the sights.

Then came Vermont, where the winding roads and mountain views offered a peaceful contrast to the busier stretches of our route. Every bend seemed to reveal a covered bridge or charming village, and maple syrup stands were a tempting stop. We had one mission, and one mission only in Vermont, W H I S T L E P I G. Earlier in the summer after we left Mt. Rushmore and we talked about where to head next Aaron said how about Vermont, I said we aren’t driving that far east….well….a few months later…here we are and I am super glad we did. It was a beautiful drive and a memorable stop for Aaron and his bucket list. We had one of the best KOA campsites of all times…sadly it was just for one night only.

Next up was New York, and this leg of the trip felt electric. We hit upstate New York on our way to Vermont where we explored Letchworth State Park, which was absolutely stunning as well as explore Fort Stanwix National Monument.

We explored downtown NYC, taking in the energy that only the city can deliver — bright lights, endless motion, and an unbeatable mix of people from everywhere. We love our HOHO’s and this one was no average HOHO, I opted for both the day and night hop on hop off and it was incredible. The city skyscrapers at night made the skyline a magical vista. We made it to Central Park, a green oasis amid the skyscrapers, where we opted to rent a bicycle and make the romantic journey around the park. We caught both Mets and Yankees games, checking off a pair of baseball bucket-list moments. There’s something surreal about sitting in two legendary stadiums within the same trip, hearing the crowds roar under the summer sky. The biggest highlight was making it on TV in the background of the Today Show and shaking Al Roker’s hand, such a surreal experience. We called my parents and told them they better watch it when it viewed in Arizona, so they could capture the moment for us. Thanks mum and dad.

Our final stop was Pennsylvania, where we slowed the pace and visited Gettysburg. Standing on those hallowed grounds, surrounded by rolling hills and historic monuments, it was impossible not to feel the weight of the past. The stories of courage and sacrifice echoed through the fields, making it one of the most meaningful stops of the journey.

From the peaceful shores of Lake Superior to the bustling streets of New York City and the solemn fields of Gettysburg, this trip had a bit of everything — nature, history, food, fun, and reflection. Traveling by RV gave us the freedom to experience it all at our own pace, and every mile brought a new adventure, a new story, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty of America.

2

Rolling Through the Heartland

There’s nothing quite like summer on the open road — windows down, coffee in the cup holders, and our 5th wheel hitched up and ready for the next adventure. July was our month to wander to my ultimate destination point….Mt. Rushmore, and this month we took on six incredible states: Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Wyoming: Big Skies and Bigger Views

We left Colorado and headed north, kicking things off in Wyoming, where every horizon looks like a painting. From the geological wonder of Devils Tower to the endless grasslands, this state has a way of reminding you how small you are — in the best way. Mornings meant coffee outside the rig with mountain air in our lungs, and evenings were all about watching the sun dip behind the peaks.

Montana: Where the West Still Feels Wild

Crossing into Montana felt like stepping back in time. “Big Sky Country” didn’t disappoint — we drove through rolling hills, trout streams, and ghost towns that whispered stories of old miners and dreamers. Yellowstone was once again the showstopper, and we snagged a perfect site at Yellowstone’s Edge RV Park (with 5 Vilano’s) just in time to catch the last glimmer of a beautiful sunset on the mountains.

North Dakota: Quiet Beauty and Open Roads

North Dakota utterly captivated us. As we ventured into the enchanting Theodore Roosevelt National Park, we were greeted by majestic bison wandering through the rugged badlands, and the nights were so profoundly still that you could hear the whispers of your own thoughts. It felt like a dream, an almost meditative escape — just us, the brilliant stars overhead, and the gentle hum of generators from nearby RV parks. Medora was an extraordinary town, the perfect place to bask in the magic of an outdoor musical. A blend of rich history and delightful humor radiates with a bounty of Western spirit, creating an homage to country music, America itself, Theodore Roosevelt, and the wild heart of the Badlands against an awe-inspiring canvas. Among our most cherished campgrounds was Abraham Lincoln State Park in Bismarck — the oldest State Park in North Dakota — where we dove deep into the stories of the Mandan Native Americans who once called On-a-Slant Village home, exploring our reconstructed earthlodges with a sense of wonder.

South Dakota: Monuments and Memories

From there, we confidently cruised into South Dakota, where every mile was rich with history and Americana, creating an unforgettable tapestry of experiences. Mount Rushmore, with its breathtaking granite faces of four prominent presidents, Crazy Horse, a symbol of Native American heritage still under construction, and the distinctive charm of Deadwood, steeped in Old West lore, were all on our itinerary. We camped just down the road from Mount Rushmore at the outstanding local KOA, an impressive RV park, especially during the lively 4th of July celebrations that filled the air with excitement and patriotic fervor. We enjoyed the Spearfish 4th of July parade, where we spotted “Cappie” from the home renovation show Building Outside the Lines, mingling with the crowd and sharing laughs, and witnessed the iconic shootout in Deadwood while visiting the very bar where Wild Bill Hickok met his fate, standing in awe of the history that unfolded in that very spot. Our adventure continued at Mount Moriah Cemetery, the final resting place of Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, and other remarkable figures, where we took a moment to reflect on their lives and the wild stories that define this legendary region, immersing ourselves in the spirit of the frontier.

Minnesota: Lakes, Loons, and Lazy Evenings

Minnesota rolled out the welcome mat with its shiny lakes and balmy summer nights—what a charmer! We chose a cozy spot off the beaten path at a National Golf Resort in McGregor, Minnesota, thinking it would be the perfect place to kick back. Little did we know, it was also prime time for RV organization and some fun maintenance adventures. This is where our thrilling saga with electrical woes began. Spoiler alert: it was our electrical cord reel playing hide-and-seek, resulting in half of the camper going dark—talk about a camping horror story lol! After hours of detective work, Aaron finally nailed down the culprit, and we wrangled ourselves an appointment the next day at a “mobile repair facility,” which turned out to be a guy’s private residence with a driveway that seemed designed for hobbits. But hey, he worked his magic and patched us up well enough to keep the wheels rolling for a few months of fun—adventure awaits!

Wisconsin: Cheese Curds and Campfires

Our final stretch for July brought us to Wisconsin — where we didn’t get a chance to explore its true beauty. Between the rolling farmland, lakeside drives, and more cheese curds than we probably should’ve eaten, it was the coziest way to wrap up our month of July!

1

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑