Winter Camping 3.0 - #96

I can’t believe we are leaving in another week to travel and spend the winter on the Mississippi Gulf Coast once again. Getting ready this year for some reason, feels like a lot of work. Maybe it’s because we are just getting over illness or were very busy the latter part of the summer and didn’t give ourselves as much time as we normally do or maybe it’s just because we are getting older. At any rate, even though I am pretty well packed, well organized - it still feels like we have much left to do. Today, for example, we are moving the trailer up to the side of the garage to get it out from under the trees and all the falling debris; then we will wash it. 

Okay - done!

Last week, we cleaned the inside of the truck bed- took everything out, washed the bed liner and reorganized. 

I also spent a couple of days cleaning the truck cab- and set up things for our travel comfort. 

We are officially leaving on Thursday, October 17th and will arrive at Bay Hide Away on October 31st. Usually, we get to our destination on 11/1 - but in planning the travel - even with longer stopovers at several locations- just worked out this way. We have 10 legs to our trip; most stops are at KOAs and 80% are new places we’ve never been. I still keep a binder with a travel schedule which also includes our reservations and mileage. 

I try to pack gradually, a little everyday. Preparing the trailer involves cleaning every inch of it on the inside, washing all the contents- bedding, dishes and utensils- and then repacking  I also gradually start to shop for non-perishable items, pack clothing, and move in other items we want to take with us. Even though our trailer is set up like a separate residence ( which it actually is) there are some items I don’t have duplicates of - like my crock pot, for instance.

Besides readying the trailer, planning the travel and making our reservations, just these past few weeks, we visited drs, dentist, vet for Minnie and had our flu shots.  I had to make sure all our vehicles were registered, inspected and we also voted early. 

Then I also put everything away in the yard- lawn furniture, umbrellas, toys, and plants - to help prepare for the cold weather. Charlie will be moving his motorcycle to the shed today to make room for the van to park inside. 

So what’s left on the agenda? Still final packing, perishable food, propane for the tanks, and cleaning our apartment. 

We do have a very exciting development! Our campground is now offering storage on-site for when we return home. We will be able to leave our trailer for the summer months and we can now travel down in my much smaller car ( with much, much better mileage). It will be an easier and faster drive then when we tow the trailer. I am excited!