last trip of the year. ....hard to believe. ..

[Camper_G]

Well, my family just came back from our last weekend camping trip of the season yesterday. My BIL and his family also got a site 2 down from us. We had a great time, but it sure was hard to pack up the rig yesterday afternoon and head home knowing that is the last trip of the year. As i get older it becomes harder to do all the set up, Tear down, packing, loading and unloading, but it's so worth all the effort it takes to get my family out camping and enjoying nature.

My 8yr old son was on the verge of tears this morning before school because he said he'd miss his mommy too much today.

I don't think there's a better example of the impact of camping and the quality family time that comes with it, is having on my kids.

I hope when they get older i will still be healthy enough to go camping (and be able to do all the work) with their families. I hope I'm instilling the tradition of camping in them the way my dad and mom did for me when i was younger.

Just figured I'd share. I'm going to winterize this week. That will be hard also! (Emotionally, for me, not the actual work) If you all have any trips left this year, I hope they are great and memories are made. That's what it's all about

-G

[Southedistoman]

For the last couple of years, we've had our last camping trip of the year and the first one of the next, all at the same time. Campground we prefer has a fireworks show and all, they are usually full. We do take the rest of January and all of February off though.

[allen8106]

Baaa Humbug, no such thing as last trip of the year unless its December 31st.

[Camper_G]

It's very important to me and my wife to spend quality time with our boys. Camping is great because it forces us to unplug and get away for a few days, spend time together without all the distractions at home, go on hikes, enjoy the outdoors, etc. I hope those that want to go one more time can! Once dst ends it gets dark so early, it's hard to go for just a weekend with my work hours

[Doug33]

We're trying to get one last trip in this weekend. This morning I had to scrape some serious ice off my car windshield. And it's supposed to go down to the mid-upper 30s Friday night. I'm debating whether I want to go to the state CG which has no electric. I can run the furnace off the battery, but that will drain it in a hurry. I may just turn it on before we go to sleep to warm it up inside, and then turn it off. The next day I can hook the TT up to the truck for a little while and recharge the batteries, if necessary.

Cold temps came very early this year. If we don't make it this weekend, then that's it for the season. I'll be winterizing this Sunday. 😞

On a positive note, this camping season we spent the most nights ever in the TT.

[RVcircus]

It's awesome that you're out with the kids giving them the opportunity to create memories. So many don't get that chance. Now that you're done for the season you'll have plenty of time to plan more adventures for the spring;)

[Camper_G]

Excellent replies, Thanks. I enjoyed reading all of them. As one mentioned our schedules going forward till the end of the year won't allow for any more camping trips, so this was it, unfortunately. Thankfully i am able to park my rig at my house so i can look at it all winter and dream of spring campinf trips. The funny thing is that it feels like i just un-winterized! I admire you all who go cold weather camping. My DW would not go for that lol. She's cold on a 70 degree day with a slight breeze.. hahaha so I've pushed her as deep into the season as i can at this point.

[Samsonsworld]

The Fall is the best time to camp.

[rbpru]

We have plans till the second week of November. With lows in the mid 30s we expect to wrap it up about then.

With luck we will head for AZ in February.

[CavemanCharlie]

I feel your pain. I winterized mine last week. I keep my TT at home in a shed and can go out to it in the winter and pretend camp. It makes me feel better.

You said as you get older it is harder to set up, take down , etc. Then make the set up and take down easier. I can be set up in 10-15 minutes and take down in the same. Everyone will have just as much fun without all the extra effort on your part. Just quit doing one thing at a time. If someone complains, then tell them, politely of coarse, that they are welcome to do it themselves.

Never make things harder then they have to be.

Have a nice day and Happy Camping.

P.S. if you have a 8 year old son you can't be that old. lol

[itguy08]

We've got one more this weekend and then we're done too. I'd gladly go well into the winter but work schedules in Nov and Dec don't favor any outings. But I plan to get out there in early March though!

Been our first year back in camping mode (used to tent camp) and have been having a blast!

[DutchmenSport]

I winterized about 3 weeks ago. Not because camping was over for us, but because I had the camper scheduled for a new coat of paint on the front cap. They originally said it would probably be a one week job. But I also know how things go in the "real" world too. So I went ahead and winterized the camper before taking it back to the dealer Monday a week ago for the repaint. Not knowing if they could "really" get it in one week, I wanted the camper to be safe and no worries about anything. So I winterized.

Well, it was good I did. Because after I took it in, we've had some nights where the temps dropped pretty cold here. So I could rest easy.

On Friday, I was anxiously awaiting the phone call to pick up the camper. Well, we did get the phone call, but not to pick it up.

The paint job was complete. Yea!

But when they started to put the graphics back on the front.... well ... the graphic that spelled "Keystone" was missing the "e" and the "y" ... yup... Kstone... They have to get new graphics!

So, here we are Monday, one week later, waiting for Kstone to send the properly spelled graphic! BUT! I'm winterized! Safe and sound! Just waiting anxiously to get my baby back home now.

We will continue to use the camper (without water hook-up) after November 1. Campgrounds in Indiana State Parks are still open, just don't have water running. We take a port-a-potty (no chemicals), and use the out-houses, and bring our own water. For week-end jonts, it's absolutely great!

So, we're winterized, and now looking forward to some cold-weather camping!

And oh ... there's Florida the week of Christmas! I will unwinterize once there and winterize when we come back!

So .... why not consider some modified boom-docking week-end trips at your local state park? And continue to enjoy the camper all winter? (Just a suggestion?)

[Majja13]

Yea I always hate the day I winterize and not because of the work I have to do. We were suppose to go out this last weekend for our final trip but I came down with the gomboo going around at my work and ended up canceling the trip. There may be hope the weekend after Halloween for me but if not then I will have to put her up for the rear. Always bitter sweet to say good bye to the TT until spring.