After several years of agonizing about it, we finally decided to fill in our swimming pool this year.We haven't used it in several years since we were on the road most of the time when the water was warm enough to be inviting.It was the right decision, but it means we won't be going anywhere this summer. What funds weren't already used to have the pool filled in will be going for grass and bushes. etc.That means I'm going to be depending on you for this year's travel fix.PLEASE post trip reports - with lots of pictures.Thanks,

Looks like you have a nice property there, I'd do some yard camping if I were you!

Find something fairly local and get the best of both worlds, this also means that you have time to plan next years big trip!

I would wait till next year to plant. the ground will settle over the year!

Nothing says you can't use your camper and still have a lot of fun right now! You can always do back yard or driveway camps, which is just as much fun or more, than driving long distances.A few years ago, the economy turned "South" when fuel prices skyrocketed. At the same time we were experiencing a horrible financial storm because of a second piece of property we were trying to sell. But that did not stop us. We shifted gears from long-haul trips to trips right in our own back yard.We took evaluation of what Indiana had to offer. After all, people come from all over the country to visit HERE, so what's HERE that attracts visitors. So an idea was born. We decided to focus on Indiana on visit (camp) at every state park and state recreation area in Indiana. We've not been successful in our goal yet, and were still scheduling state parks for this Summer we've never been to yet.We figure, if people come from all over the country to visit HERE, what am I missing, maybe because I live too close to everything and just don't SEE it any more, or maybe never did! Thus the idea was born, and we've had a fantastic ride very since!I see your from Texas? Well, here's something that we started incorporating into our camping experiences. There's a book called "Weird Indiana" with little segments and "weird" things in Indiana. We take this book with us, actually study it out, and it's our (secondary) mission now to have visited every site in the book. So we do this now when camping. Nothing says you have to spend a fortune.For what it's worth, the "Weird" series of books has a growing number of editions. Want something different to do, then get the book. I see your from Texas. So why not check it out and keep camping right in your own "back yard"!Weird Texas -- click here!

After several years of agonizing about it, we finally decided to fill in our swimming pool this year.We haven't used it in several years since we were on the road most of the time when the water was warm enough to be inviting.It was the right decision, but it means we won't be going anywhere this summer. What funds weren't already used to have the pool filled in will be going for grass and bushes. etc.That means I'm going to be depending on you for this year's travel fix.PLEASE post trip reports - with lots of pictures.Thanks, Been there done that! Well at least the agonizing part. We owned a home with an inground pool for 18 years, when the kids were younger it was a God-send! We all enjoyed it when it was hot out. Once the kids were grown and gone it became a money pit. Ended up selling the house (and the problem) and moving on to something a lot smaller and easier to maintain. I feel for ya but you did the right thing! Good luck, there's always next year for camping.Dan

Our summer trip just went down a hole! | Good Sam Community

Jarlaxle
Explorer II
May 04, 2014
Jim Shoe wrote:
Just for fun, call your insurance agent and find out how much your homeowner's premiums go down if you permanently fill the pool in. In the insurance business, a pool is considered "an attractive nuisance". Google "attractive nuisance" and read.

My mother's insurance is about an extra $12/year (that's not a typo) due to her pool.
mgirardo
Explorer
May 01, 2014
Umm, if you float the pool, then it has to be removed. So you've defeated the purpose. If you leave it with the water in it, then you'll be running a mosquito factory in the backyard.

-Michael
Ski_Pro_3
Explorer
May 01, 2014
mgirardo wrote:
skipro3 wrote:
I don't get why anyone would fill in the pool and not just leave it as-is.

If you completely drain a pool, you risk floating it. Meaning it will physically rise out of the ground. The pressure exerted on it from water in the ground is strong enough to float it on top of the ground water.

-Michael

so what? How is that a bad thing when you are deciding you don't want the thing anyway?
Lauren
Explorer
May 01, 2014
Yup, closer to home - presuming there are places close. (Not familiar with TX - only time I have been there was when I was working and all I saw was the inside of airports).

If you get bored and want to see the pix you can always go to http://www.laurenbarbara.com/Wanderings.html

Look at it this way, you are not missing out due to serious health problems or rv issues or such. Last fall we had to turn around on our first day of a planned 42 fall trip to CO & UT due to mechanical issues. Count your blessings! :-)
mgirardo
Explorer
May 01, 2014
skipro3 wrote:
I don't get why anyone would fill in the pool and not just leave it as-is.

If you completely drain a pool, you risk floating it. Meaning it will physically rise out of the ground. The pressure exerted on it from water in the ground is strong enough to float it on top of the ground water.

-Michael
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
May 01, 2014
beemerphile1 wrote:
You filled in the pool because during swim season you were traveling. Now that you filled in the pool you won't be traveling. That is too funny! :B

I agree. Life is a real drag, isn't it? :h
beemerphile1
Explorer
May 01, 2014
You filled in the pool because during swim season you were traveling. Now that you filled in the pool you won't be traveling. That is too funny! :B
Jim_Shoe
Explorer
May 01, 2014
Just for fun, call your insurance agent and find out how much your homeowner's premiums go down if you permanently fill the pool in. In the insurance business, a pool is considered "an attractive nuisance". Google "attractive nuisance" and read.
mobeewan
Explorer
May 01, 2014
While landscaping you could build an a-one fire pit with seating around it for that backyard camping feeling. A friend who sometimes camps with me worked at a paper mill and they had left over curved fire brick from a smoke stack there. They were going to get rid of them since they were sittnng around a long time. He asked if he could have them. He took them home and used them to make an 8 foot walled in ground fire pit, landscaped around it and added some benches. Seems the brick was exactly the right curve and fit for an 8 foot circle.
loulou57
Explorer
Apr 29, 2014
If you have enough room, invite other RV friends to bring their unit and spend work weekends. Fun working, eating, campfire and maybe a few drinks togetherness . Lots of fun for everyone and friends usually want to help other friends. We would help if we were closer. The sooner you get done the sooner you can have fun with them at CG's.