What's up for 2020?

We hope to get back to hiking next year. After a bad sprain day hiking on the Appalachian Trail we decided overnight hiking is not going to happen for us. We bought good day packs, put items from our overnight gear in them and are ready to go. We used them a couple of times but Michelle and I need to get out there and hike.The kinks are worked out with our new camper (from 2018) and while hanging out at the campsite is fun, hiking is needed. More details as we work them out.

Camping Season 2019

This year was our first full year with our Thor Freedom Elite 24E. We had issues with starting and the radio working properly.

First the Sir George would not start even after turning the engine off for a few minutes. We had to call service several times to start in our own driveway. We wrongly believed the problem was due to the radio. The screen would faded up and down even when the camper was off. The radio draining the battery.

The radio would only receive stations that we were right on top or close to the transmitter. Living in Chicago the radio should easily received dozens of stations. So Camping World replaced the radio after much fuss with them. We got it back and they said all fixed. As we drove away we found the radio only received about five stations, back we went. They said it was because Camping World was in a small valley - yeah right.  They finally decided to change out the antenna on top of the vehicle.Camping World put on a  TV antenna and it finally works as it should.

Now why was the battery draining? Camping World kept it over and in the morning the battery was drained. So off to Mercedes Benz in Hoffman Estates, IL. They quickly determined the battery had bad cells and replaced it under warranty. Sir George has started ever since.

This year we started on Memorial Day with our usual shakedown trip to Rock Cut State Park not many miles away. In June we stayed at Gov. Dodge State Park in Dodgeville, WI. We were able to visit with our friend Scott and Lynn.

In July we headed to Kansas City and stayed West Bend State Park. My brother-in-law and his wife flew in. We did the tourist thing in Kansas City and attended a Royal's game which they actually won!

July also found us at Baraboo Hills Campground. My daughter's family and friends spend time there each summer. Many have permanent sites, there is a pool and along with many activities. Not our usual style of camping but always fun with family and friends.

Augusts found us in northern Wisconsin on Madeline Island sitting up camp Big Bay State Park. We towed our Honda Accord. The ferry trip to the island was interesting for how all the cars, campers and such we put on the ferry.

Our friends Scott and Lynn visited us here also. Good friends and good times. I did get seasick doing a tour of the Apostle Islands in a small, skiff type boat. Exploring Bayfield was fun, quirky shops and such.

We are getting more familiar with Sir George. This year we decided to store him in our driveway. He is all winterized and has a giant tarp protecting him from winter

More adventures in 2020!