2025
We wanted to take an early pre-season trip in our motor home and decided on Arkansas. Friends we had met at Nickerson in October who were traveling the country spending a week in every state suggested we join them in Arkansas. Why not? We also met up with some Alliance friends in Texas. They all had their 5th wheels and we said we were "incognito" with our motor home. It was a great adventure for sure.
We secured an awesome seasonal site right on the Natchaug River in front of the rapids at Nickerson Park Family Campground in Chaplin, CT and got home in time to bring the 5th wheel to Nickerson for the start of the season.
We also planned a huge bucket list trip in our motor home in May to see Grand Canyon National Park! We added to the trip to include all five Utah National Parks too! We also added Petrified Forest in AZ because we were literally going right by it! Then of course we could not exclude standing on the corner of Winslow, Arizona! This was a five week trip and truly unbelievable. That part of our country is just breathtaking!
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We were happy to get back and enjoy our new adventure on the Natchaug River as seasonal campers. It turned out to be way more fun and enjoyable than we imagined. We are so blessed!
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Oakhill Campground, Lonsdale, Arkansas - March 10th - March 18th
We left on Saturday March 8th and put quite a few miles in and got to the campground a day early. Many places were not even open yet so we decided to just press on. Our friends Shari and Gary arrived the next day. They were on a year long journey of spending a week in every state! We visited the Gangster Museum, Hot Springs National Park, a few breweries, a Big Dam Bridge, and a distillery. Dodged some scary weather as well.
Rocky Point COE, Queen City, Texas March 18th - 20th
Alliance Meet up at Mill Creek COE, Brookeland, Texas March 20th - March 26th
Headed to Texas (found some BBQ first) from Arkansas and stopped at a nice COE in Queen City, TX. We did not anticipate high winds on a lake and it was so windy we pulled our slides in for fear of our slide toppers being ripped off. We walked around the area and found a section that was lower and had some protection from the wind so we moved and was able to have a fire and sit out without being blown away! After that short stay we met up with some friends who have Alliance 5th wheels. We were incognito with our motor home but they didn't care! it was a nice gathering.
Shenandoah Skyline Drive, VA and Severn, MD March 28th - April 2nd
After experiencing rain and fog and no views at Shenandoah National Park in 2023 we decided to drive on Skyine Drive on the way back. No leaves on the trees yet but it was still a gorgeous view. We also decided to drop in on our daughter in Maryland for a couple of days. A nice surprise was a vist to Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River where we were able to see hundreds of bald eagles. What a great way to end this great adventure!
On the road to Grand Canyon! May 12th hit the road!
It took us 6 days to reach Winslow, Arizona. We stayed at various places along the way: Dam West at Carlyle Lake, IL, Heyburn Lake, OK, Lone Mound Ranch in Shamrock, TX and Sierra Blanca Brewing in Moriarty, NM. Stopped at Petrified Forest National Park-our first national park on this trip! And of course we stood on the corner of Winslow, Arizona! Then it was two nights at Homolovi State Park before Grand Canyon Trailer Village!
Grand Canyon Village! May 19th - May 24th
Finally reached Trailer Village at Grand Canyon on May 19th. By the time we were done settling in, the sun was setting but we were so anxious to see the canyon we jumped on our e-bikes and found our way to the visitor center. What a sight to see! The Grand Canyon at sunset! Wow! The rest of the week was spent exploring the Grand Canyon! Glorious!
Grand Canyon North Rim May 24th - May 26th
The North Rim opened for the season on May 16th and we specifically planned this so we could be there when it was open. The North Rim does not get nearly as many visitors as the South Rim. It is much quieter and more primitive and less commercialized. It 's elevation is also much higher. At 8,300 feet above sea level we were a bit concerned we would have some trouble. We did have some but it was ok. We are very glad we made it to the North Rim because a month and a half later on July 4th the Dragon Bravo fire was ignited by lightening and roared through the historical lodge and many cabins and other buildings. We are thankful we had the chance to see those places before it burned. The Dragon Bravo fire was finally 100% contained at the end of September and burned over 145,000 acres.
Zion National Park Watchman Campground, Springdale, UT - May 26th - May 29th
On Deb's birthday we moved from North Rim, Grand Canyon to Zion in Utah. What a glorious view from our campsite. We literally went from looking down at the marvels to looking up! What a special birthday! We rode the shuttle bus and had a chance to view some scenic points,
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah - May 29th - May 31st
Bryce Canyon was another high elevation place so we spent two nights in the campground. Bryce also had a shuttle so we hopped on that to see some of the sites along the scenic road. Grand Canyon and Bryce were the two that literally took my breath away. The rock formations called "hoodoos" were unbelievable.
Moab, Utah - May 31st - June 6th
Canyons of Escalante RV Park, Wild Potato Festival, Capital Reef National Park, Green River State Park, Arches National Park, Dead Horse State Park, Canyonlands National Park
Lots of moving around in one week and lots of sights seen! At the end we accomplished seeing all five of Utah's National Parks! Each one with its own distinct beauty and geology.
Homeward Bound!
Bugling Elk Vineyards and Cheyenne State Park, CO - June 7th - June 8th
Heading east we stopped at a vineyard and State Park in Colorado to visit with some family.
Seasonal Summer at Nickerson Park, Chaplin CT - June - October
We settled in after the western trip at our 5th wheel on the Natchaug River. With it only 40 minutes from our house we were able to go back and forth as our schedule directed. Best of all worlds!
Congaree National Park, Visit with family, and National Dutch Oven Gathering (DOG) Shelby, NC -October 16th - October 26th
We headed south after closing up Evvie the 5th wheel for the winter and stopped in South Carolina to visit family. We visited Congaree National Park and stayed at two very nice state parks in South Carolina. The Government shut down was still in effect so the Visitor Center was not open and no rangers to see. We then headed to North Carolina for the National Dutch Oven Gathering. All in all it was a nice way to finish off a very busy and spectacular 2025 camping/RV season.
