Spontaneous Saturday: Sports, Sunshine, and Pizza

The weekend started without many plans. By Saturday morning, though, we had decided to attend the first home game for Washburn volleyball. We had a great time going to the early match and watching Washburn win. No sports had been played in Whiting since the 1983–84 academic year (according to SID Gene Cassell on X).

Back in the early 2000s, I spent a lot of time in Whiting doing exercise classes, so it was fun to be back in the gym watching Washburn play. They were scheduled to play again at 6 p.m. Saturday evening, but we only attended the early game.

After volleyball, we headed to lunch at TaCo Topeka. While we were eating, we came up with a plan to visit a home owned by Erin’s aunt that has a pool. It turned out to be a fun evening filled with pool time, music, pizza, and laughter.

It’s always great when a weekend turns into something unexpected, and that’s exactly what happened. I’m planning for a more low-key Sunday—Royals on TV at noon, followed by NFL football for the rest of the day. My favorite kind of day!

Short post this week, but a lot packed into Saturday made for a tiring day. I’m ready to relax and enjoy watching sports on this beautiful day.

Kicking Off Another Season with the Ichabods

Sports season has started, and we’re already two weeks into the Washburn football season. We kicked things off with both games played at home. We won the first game but lost the second. We've attended both home games and plan to make it to all but two games this season. The weather has been fantastic—yesterday’s game was played in the 60s to 70s. Hard to believe, and definitely no complaints. This is great!

We started the season against Truman State University, winning 20–17. Our tailgate group was smaller at first, but a few more people showed up throughout the game. We've decided to set up our canopy for every game, regardless of the forecast. It helps keep the sun off us and provides protection in case of other weather.

We’re in the same tailgate spot we’ve had for the past fifteen-plus years, and it’s great to be next to our longtime neighbors. We always have a good time, and it was fun to see Washburn get the first win of the season. At one point, my friend Javier and I tried to figure out when we started going to football games and tailgating. We think it was around 2004 or 2005, when Carrie and I were living in Lawrence—but we’re not entirely sure. That would make it about twenty years of Washburn football and tailgating.

Yesterday, we attended the second game, and Washburn lost 34–7. As the game was ending, we were discussing whether the opponent had returned to their former level of greatness or if Truman State, who we beat the week before, just wasn’t very good. It’s still too early to tell, but we had a good time at the game despite the loss.

Carrie had a nice spot to “watch” the second half of the game yesterday. Now, Carrie doesn’t really like football—she goes because I enjoy it, and she loves tailgating. We brought a lounge chair for her, and during the second half, she was relaxing along the wall at the back of the tent, reading and enjoying the day. I’m thankful she’s out there with me for both the tailgate and game time.

With two home games behind us, Washburn will be on the road for the next few weeks. We won’t be back home until September 27, when we play the University of Nebraska–Kearney. Hoping we can get another win—or two—before we return home at the end of the month.

It’s fun to be back at the stadium cheering on the Washburn University Ichabods. It’s an exciting season with a new head coach, and we couldn’t ask for better weather. Until next time, have a great week—and see you at the game!

Labor Day: A Moment to Pause, Reflect, and Appreciate

It’s hard to believe that Labor Day is already upon us. Despite the calendar turning to September, the weather in Kansas doesn’t quite signal the end of summer—Sunday brought a pleasant 78 degrees, and we've been enjoying mild temperatures in the 70s and 80s for weeks. Still, Labor Day marks a seasonal shift: the NFL season kicks off, MLB nears the end of its regular season, and pools across Topeka begin to close. It’s a subtle reminder that summer is winding down.

But beyond the barbecues and long weekend, Labor Day carries a deeper meaning. It’s a time to honor the backbone of our nation—the hardworking Americans whose dedication and resilience have shaped our country’s prosperity. From the earliest days of our history to the present, a strong work ethic has been woven into the fabric of our society. It’s a legacy that continues to inspire and drive us forward.

Whether you're spending the weekend with family, enjoying some well-earned rest, or gearing up for the busy months ahead, I hope you’re finding time to recharge. If you're fortunate enough to have Monday off, may it be a moment of reflection and appreciation for the labor that builds our communities and sustains our future.

Here’s to hard work, continued prosperity, and a meaningful Labor Day.

🏈 Think You Know Football? Prove It in This Year's Pigskin Pick'em Challenge!

Football season is officially here, and it's time to show off your NFL smarts in the weekly challenge that keeps fans coming back for more: Pigskin Pick’em on ESPN!

Whether you're a seasoned football guru or just love the thrill of competition, this free game makes every week of the NFL season more exciting. All you have to do is pick the winners of each match-up. Sounds easy, right? But don’t get too comfortable—miss a week and you’ll drop to the bottom of the leader board faster than a blown coverage!

Why You Should Join

• ✅ It’s Free – No cost, no catch. Just football fun.
• ✅ Weekly Picks – Stay engaged all season long.
• ✅ Bragging Rights – Finish on top and earn the ultimate prize: the right to talk trash until next season.
• ✅ Community Fun – The more people in the group, the more competitive (and hilarious) it gets.

How to Join

Click the link below to hop into our group and start making your picks. Feel free to share it with friends, family, coworkers—anyone who thinks they’ve got what it takes!

https://fantasy.espn.com/free-prize-games/sharer?challengeId=265&from=espn&context=GROUP_INVITE&edition=espn-en&groupId=e8d267a5-6915-3038-8988-1e67b6452246

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So what are you waiting for? Join now, make your picks, and let’s see who really knows their football. 🏆

Greg’s 50th: A Surprise Weekend in Tulsa

Last week, I shared a bit about our trip to Tulsa and some music highlights (see post). This post is all about the trip itself—and what a weekend it was!

We had a great time surprising Greg for his 50th birthday. He had no idea where we were going when we left Friday morning. All he knew was that he needed to pack a suit. Leading up to the trip, Carrie and I kept the surprise alive by pretending we had a long day of work ahead, along with weekend plans and Sunday commitments.

Carrie and I got up early so we could head over to Erin and Greg’s place. We wanted to hit the road early, and Greg still had no clue what was happening—or that we were even coming. After dropping Oliver off for his staycation with Joan and Eddie, we made our way to Erin and Greg’s. We told Greg we were just dropping something off from Joan, but he saw through it pretty quickly and was excited to see we were joining the adventure.

We loaded up the car with luggage and snacks and hit the road, heading north on Gage and then onto Highway 75. Greg was still in the dark and commented that it was an interesting direction. When we turned off onto a side road, he thought we were stopping at Love’s for snacks—but we drove right past it and continued on toward our friends Laura and Jason’s house.

Laura had been in Dallas that week, and while Greg knew Jason was home alone, he had no idea we were picking him up for a road trip to Tulsa. Once Jason joined us, we finally told Greg we were heading to Tulsa for a birthday weekend celebration. He still didn’t know where we were staying or what we’d be doing for meals, which added to the fun and suspense.

Our first stop was Ron's Award Winning Hamburgers and Chili. We’d eaten at a Ron’s a few years ago with the Shirron family on our way home from Texas and loved it—so it felt like the perfect place to kick off the weekend. The chili was just as good as we remembered!

Since we couldn’t check into our VRBO until 4 p.m., we needed a place to hang out. We landed at Crawpappy’s Bar and Grill—an interesting spot! None of us realized smoking is still allowed in some Oklahoma bars, so that was a surprise. Once we got used to the smoky air, we settled in with a beer. After that, we headed to Big Whiskey’s, which was a great place to relax until check-in time.

Greg still didn’t know the full plan until we pulled up to the house where we’d be staying for the next two nights. The house was fantastic—great layout, a pool, and plenty of space to enjoy the evening. We chose to stay in that first night so we could relax by the pool. Laura arrived later from her road trip from Dallas. Greg had a hunch she might be coming, but it wasn’t confirmed until she walked through the door.

Saturday was all about the pool. We spent the day relaxing, listening to music, and splashing around. We had dinner reservations that night at Mahogany Prime Steakhouse. While we originally planned for a 7 p.m. reservation, Greg suggested moving it earlier so we could get back to the house and enjoy more pool time and games. We were able to adjust the reservation and had a fantastic dinner in a private room. Carrie and I had never been to Mahogany Prime before, but the others had visited different locations. It lived up to the hype—dinner was amazing!

After dinner, we returned to the house for more pool time and then played games into the night. It was a packed and fun-filled weekend.

Sunday morning, we had to be out of the house by 11, so we hit the road and headed home. Once back in Topeka, Carrie and I were in bed well before 10 p.m.—we definitely needed to catch up on rest after such a great weekend.

Weekend Road Trip to Tulsa with SharePlay and Apple CarPlay

We went on a road trip to Tulsa, OK for the weekend to celebrate Greg’s 50th birthday, which was last Thursday. The trip was a surprise, and we hit the road Friday morning, picking up our friend Jason along the way to join us.

Once the queue started playing, it was cool to see who added each song displayed on the CarPlay screen. That added a fun, social element to the music experience.

We did run into a few hiccups when driving through areas with poor cell signal. When the signal dropped, everyone was disconnected from SharePlay. Once the signal returned, each person had to reconnect to continue adding or viewing songs in the queue. That felt a bit clunky, especially since I had read that SharePlay supports Bluetooth sharing. Oddly, Bluetooth didn’t seem to keep the connection alive when the cell signal dropped. It seems like Bluetooth should have been able to maintain the session, but that wasn’t the case for us.

Despite that, we had four people in the car all sharing songs, and it was a blast letting others take control of the playlist while I drove. SharePlay also lets passengers skip or replay songs, which came in handy. At one point, someone was sleeping, and we wanted to replay a song that had played earlier. With SharePlay, it was no problem to go back one or multiple songs so they could hear what we were all talking about.

What a fun way to have full car participation what to listen to while on a road trip. I highly recommend giving this a try. I did read that this is also available on Apple TV, but I have not tried that process yet.

242 Sundays Later: What Weekly Blogging Has Taught Me

The Commitment

I have been blogging regularly since Sunday, January 3, 2021. I’ve posted at least one entry each week since that date. Some weeks are easy, while others make it difficult to think of what to write. Trips provide easy topics, and tech-related events often lead to straightforward posts. But weeks like today—when I’ve waited until Sunday afternoon and nothing comes to mind—are more challenging.

I initially started blogging to drive traffic to my website. Over the years, I’ve made a few changes. Now, everything going to https://www.haverty.net redirects to https://blogger.haverty.net. Although I secured the main site about a year ago, it still redirects to the blog.

I’ve had my website and blog since before Carrie and I were married. I used it to host our wedding site, a discussion forum, and various sub-sites focused on family, site design, and more. Over time, the site evolved into a testing ground, but its primary purpose is now blogging.

My first blog post was in 2006 on Blogger. After years of inconsistent posting—sometimes going months without an update—I learned that building a consistent audience requires weekly posts. As I mentioned earlier, this can be a challenge, but somehow I’ve managed to keep it up since 2021.

Each week, I spend time thinking about what I’ll post. I usually start early in the week, though I often forget to write down my ideas, which means I revisit them later. If I have something in mind, I start writing on Saturday. Otherwise, I begin Sunday morning.

This process is part of my routine, whether I’m busy, on vacation, or out of the country. If I know a week will be hectic, I write ahead and schedule the post to maintain my Sunday cadence. Occasionally, I’ll post additional entries for holidays or special family occasions.

I genuinely enjoy posting regularly and being able to look back over the years. I try to use consistent keywords so I can easily revisit related topics.

Today, I reflect on my process—and the reasons behind it.

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Discipline Over Perfection

Some weeks my writing is brief; other weeks, the posts are longer. It depends on how much time I have and what’s happened. It can be challenging to show up each week and write something engaging enough for someone to click on when it appears in their social media feed. I find it interesting to watch the metrics—some posts get lots of clicks, while others I expect to perform well barely get any.

Posting consistently has helped build a following. I get regular visits and interactions on social media. Before I started posting weekly, I read that consistency is key—if visitors don’t know when to expect new content, they’re less likely to return. Posting every Sunday helps keep people coming back.

I also believe that consistent posting has helped me grow as a writer. Each week, I brainstorm the topic, title, keywords, and how to promote the post. I’ve automated social media sharing for platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. Occasionally, I manually post to other platforms if I think a post will attract high traffic.

When I struggle to find a topic, I aim to write something short—around 250–300 words. It may not be perfect, but it keeps the habit going. I work hard to avoid spelling, grammar, or usage errors, and I appreciate it when someone points out a mistake.

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Capturing Life in Real Time

Blogging has become a digital journal of my weekly life or focus. Whether I’m writing about a trip or looking forward to a camping weekend, it’s a way to review my year—or even revisit earlier years to see what was on my mind. It’s fun, and I enjoy the process.

I’ve used the site to post about sporting events—from the Royals and Chiefs to Washburn sports. It’s a journal that helps me remember where we were or what we did on a particular date. It’s come in handy more than a few times.

Beyond sports, blogging helps me capture personal events—changes at work, losing a parent, or saying goodbye to a pet. It’s a way to reflect on life’s moments, both joyful and difficult.

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Finding Your Voice

Over the years, my writing has evolved—or at least I think it has. Early on, I posted sporadically and kept things light. Back then, posts were often just text—playlists, random thoughts, or sports updates. These days, I try to include images, even if they’re shared visuals that match the week’s content. Lately, I’ve used AI to generate images based on the post’s theme. Images help keep readers engaged and break up the text.

If I’m going to ramble, I try to call it out in the title or early in the post. Some weeks, that’s the easiest way to get my thoughts down when I don’t have a specific topic. I just have to be careful not to ramble too long.

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Connecting Through Stories

It’s fun when people tell me they read my blog or connected with a post—like a camping trip they saw on social media. I’ve met people through work who mention they enjoy my site. Sometimes the conversation is about exercise (or the struggle with it), and other times it’s about the places we visit and the summaries I share. It’s rewarding to know others are reading and connecting with my posts.

I try to write as if I’m speaking directly to the reader. Sometimes I tell a story, recounting each day—what we ate, what we did, and the sights we saw. I’ve received positive feedback on those posts. I wish there were more interaction on the site. While I do get comments, many are spam. Occasionally, I get meaningful comments and have a fun discussion with someone, which I really enjoy.

Posting helps me stay connected—with family, friends, and even strangers who find my site through a Google search. They might land on a post that matches something they were looking for and then explore more.

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Lessons Learned

Each week offers a new opportunity to reflect on what happened—what to highlight, think through, or share in a way that might interest someone. Writing doesn’t come easily, and this year especially, I’ve found myself frequently struggling to come up with something to write.

Writing consistently on the same day each week helps build a steady stream of visitors. Having something to post not only attracts regular readers, but occasionally a post will resonate widely and spike in traffic—which is fun to watch as it gets shared and revisited. I’m not a great judge of which posts will be popular. Some weeks a post gets hundreds of clicks, while others barely get any. That unpredictability is part of the fun, and I enjoy collecting my thoughts in this electronic journal.

I’m not afraid to try new things or explore new topics. Over the years, I’ve reviewed new products and shared how they worked for me. I’ve also written about new blogging tools and continue to look for fresh ways to enhance my posting process.

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Looking Ahead

I plan to maintain my regular cadence of Sunday postings. Watch for new entries each week, and feel free to leave a comment—I do read and reply to them. I enjoy interacting with readers and hope to see more engagement in the future.

One of my goals this year is to post more frequently. In addition to my regular Sunday posts, I’d like to add one or two extra entries during the week—focused on topics that interest me, such as technology, politics, or sports. While I’ve occasionally posted more than once in a week over the past few years, those extra posts have usually been tied to holidays or celebrations. I’d like to expand beyond that and share more spontaneous content.

If you’ve made it this far, I’d love to hear from you:

• What have you enjoyed about the site?
• How long have you been following?
• What would you like to see more of?
• Is there anything you’d prefer to see less of?

This is a fun process, and that’s what matters most—I genuinely enjoy doing this each week. I hope you have a great Sunday and a fantastic week ahead!

Networking in Philly: Conference Highlights & Local Flavor

Last week, I was in Philadelphia, PA for a conference. The event was fantastic—packed with meetings and sessions. I didn’t plan as well as I should have; going up a day earlier or staying an extra day would’ve given me time to explore Philly. Still, it was a fun trip, and I made some great connections.

I managed to try some Philly food, although it was mostly through the hotel hosting the conference. The Philly cheese-steak and pretzels were surprisingly good! Some locals at the conference recommended I walk down the block for fresh pretzels, but I never made it. I filled up on the ones provided, and they hit the spot. Overall, the conference food was excellent. Having breakfast, lunch, and dinner all day Monday was a treat. Each meal doubled as a networking opportunity, and we were joined by another conference group focused on banking and finance, which added an interesting dynamic.

The conference kicked off Sunday afternoon when I arrived and ran non-stop through Tuesday at noon. Sunday evening’s social event was a highlight—it was held on the 33rd floor of the hotel, offering a great view of the city.

After returning home to Topeka, I was back at work on Wednesday. Before I left, I had read that B&B Theaters would be showing live Royals games in their theaters Monday through Wednesday that week, free of charge. Watching the Royals on the big screen was a fun experience, especially with all the concessions open—I definitely indulged. The Royals won, and it was a blast cheering them on with others in the theater.

While I was away in Philly, Carrie took Oliver out to dinner at Salute. She sent me a picture of him enjoying the patio life. Carrie said Oliver loved watching people come and go, greeting everyone like the social pup he is. Silly guy!

Until next time, have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week!

Royals Lose, AirPods Lost, But At Least There’s Pasta... and Beer!

Another week, another weekend where I’m struggling to decide what to write about. Oh well—looks like it’ll be another rambling post.

This week kicks off with a work trip to Philadelphia for a conference. It’s a short one—I’ll be back Tuesday evening. Since my flight leaves painfully early Sunday morning, I decided to stay at a hotel nearby on Saturday night. Smart move, thanks to Carrie’s suggestion.

Before checking in, I treated myself to spaghetti and meatballs at Old Chicago in Kansas City. Pretty good! I miss the Old Chicago that left Topeka years ago. It’s probably never coming back, but a guy can dream.

I left Carrie and Oliver this afternoon and listened to the Royals game on the drive. We won yesterday to get back to .500, but today’s loss dropped us just below again. Fingers crossed for a win tomorrow to take the series against the Blue Jays. The trade deadline brought a few moves—hopefully, they’ll help us rack up some wins.

After settling into the hotel and finishing dinner, I realized I forgot my AirPods. Yep, left them charging on the table at home. Carrie and I have a tradition: we’re not truly on a trip until we remember what we forgot. I use my AirPods constantly, especially on flights for podcasts and music. So yes, I’m mildly annoyed. But hey, I’ve got spaghetti and a beer, so life isn’t too bad.

I’m planning to crash early tonight—shooting for an 8 p.m. bedtime to catch that 6 a.m. flight. Again, shoutout to Carrie for the hotel idea. Definitely better than waking up at 3 a.m.

This will be my first time in Philadelphia. My parents went years ago and had a rough experience—something about their car getting towed and a payment dispute with the city. I don’t remember the full story, but I’m hoping my visit goes a bit smoother.

That’s all for tonight. Wishing you a great rest of your weekend and a fantastic week ahead!

Books, Bikes, and Baseball: A Sunday State of Mind

Oliver Sleeping

This Sunday morning, I’m struggling a bit with what to write about. I feel like a blank slate that I can’t quite start filling in—so I’m jumping in and writing anyway, hoping it sparks some ideas. I’ve got golf on the TV and baseball coming up later today. There are a few chores I need to tackle around the house, and I should probably think through some work-related things, but overall, it’s a pretty relaxed Sunday.

With no set plan for this post, I’ll be jumping around a bit as different thoughts come to mind. Bear with me as I shift from topic to topic.

Reading Goals and Audio Book Struggles

My reading has been steady, but I’m not quite meeting the goals I set for the year. I’ve only finished one book in the past two months. I recently started a new book and also began an audio book that sounded interesting.

When it comes to audio books, I’ve realized that unless I’m in the car and fully focused, I don’t retain much. If the TV is on or I’m following sports, my attention drifts. It’s clear that multitasking doesn’t work for me when listening to audio books—I need to be fully engaged. Right now, I’m about three books behind where I should be.

Bike Riding: Out of the Habit

I’ve definitely slacked on my bike riding. Between camping, travel, and just falling out of the routine, I haven’t been on the bike since June 6, 2025. Wow. I keep telling myself I’ll get back to it, but it hasn’t happened yet. I’ve got a conference coming up in early August, and I’m planning to restart my riding routine once I’m back. It’s amazing how easy it is to fall out of a habit—and how hard it is to get back into it.

Camping Adventures Continue

I’ve shared quite a few posts about our camping adventures this year—and for good reason. We’ve done a lot of it, and we already have another trip scheduled for the end of October. It’s been great to get out so often. Carrie summed it up perfectly: last year was our year of concerts, and this year is the year of camping. All of our trips have been in Kansas, and our final one will be as well. I’m really looking forward to it.

Family Time in Lawrence

Group Photo of Cousins

Carrie and I met up with my family on Thursday for a cousins’ dinner in Lawrence. We gathered at the Lawrence Country Club for drinks and dinner. It was a fun night. Some cousins couldn’t make it, but Mom, Dina, and Aunt Barb joined us, which was a treat. We usually meet in Kansas City, so it was nice to have a get-together closer to home.

Birthday Dinner at Fire Keepers

Birthday Celebration Wine Toast

Friday night, we celebrated my birthday at Fire Keepers Golf Course with dinner at Three Fires Steakhouse. It was our second time dining there, and it lived up to our memories—excellent food and great service. Big thanks to Joan and Eddie for the birthday dinner! Erin, Carrie, Greg, and I keep talking about making a trip to Fire Keepers to stay overnight and do some gaming. We haven’t made it happen yet, but we brought it up again while walking through the casino.

Sports Season Shifts

As July winds down, baseball is still front and center—especially with the Royals managing to stay somewhat in the hunt. But football is on the horizon. Fantasy football leagues are forming, and draft dates are being set. It should be a fun season all around:

• KU football kicks off in a newly renovated stadium.
• Washburn has a new coach and fresh energy on campus.
• And of course, the Chiefs are gearing up for another exciting run.

Let’s go!

Wrapping Up

That’s enough rambling for this Sunday. We’ve moved into the afternoon, and baseball is about to begin. The Royals are just about an hour away from first pitch.

Have a great rest of your Sunday—and a fantastic week ahead!

Our First RV Camping Adventure

Driving Down the Highway with an RV

We were finally able to use our new hitch and brake controller this past week with our first RV rental. After doing some research, we decided to use Outdoorsy for the rental. Everything came together quickly—less than a week before our scheduled trip. The brake controller was installed the Thursday before we left, and with that, we were all set and excited to hit the road

After checking out a few different sites, we landed on Outdoorsy. The process was straightforward, and after browsing several RVs, we chose one located in Gardner, KS. We mapped out our route—about an hour from Topeka to Gardner—and booked our campsite at Melvern Lake, on the outlet side of the dam operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A few weeks earlier, we had driven through the area to pick out our spot.

Hello Camper!

Once we booked through Outdoorsy, the hosts provided all the information we needed to prepare. They were quick to respond to messages, and I kept them updated on the brake controller installation. Overall, the process was very smooth. When we arrived in Gardner to pick up the RV, the hosts walked us through everything and had us review and sign a few forms before we were ready to depart.

Carrie Greeting you from our RV

It had been years since I last drove with a trailer, but it came back quickly as we pulled out of the hosts’ driveway. Driving went smoothly, though I had forgotten how much you feel the trailer’s push, pull, and jarring motion. After about an hour, we arrived at Melvern Lake. Backing the RV into our spot went well, and we got to work setting up camp.

Sleepy Boy in Wagon

Setup was quick—much easier than tent camping. We simply moved our gear from the back of our Pilot into the RV. We put Oliver inside while we got everything arranged.

For dinner that first night, Carrie made Chicken Divan, which we heated up and enjoyed. It was delicious and made for a relaxing evening. We spent time by the water with a fire going and were in the RV by midnight. A successful first night—we were thrilled to be camping in a new way.

I woke up around 7 the next morning and took Oliver for a walk around the lake. It was beautiful. Oliver had a great time sniffing everything and “protecting” me from other camping dogs. After our walk, I spent some time finishing a blog post I hadn’t completed before the trip. Sitting by the water with a cool breeze while writing was incredibly peaceful.

Carrie in the Water

Later, I did a little fishing—no luck—but then joined Carrie and Oliver to relax. We had decided the night before to visit the beach that afternoon. We packed up, locked the RV, and headed out. We did need to make a trip into town to pick up some ice and some other supplies such as a lighter that had stopped working the night before. Then we would head to the beach.

Beach Was All Ours

We ended up going to the beach both Monday and Tuesday. It was great both days. We stayed in the shade, got Oliver into the water to cool off, and set him up in his wagon with fans. After settling down from seeing other dogs and kids, he napped while we relaxed. Carrie and I both read a lot, and I finally finished a book I’d been working on for months.

I Caught a Fish

Back at camp, we spent more time by the water. I fished again and actually caught one fish—the only one of the trip! Carrie captured the moment for me. That evening, we kept it simple with cheese and crackers for dinner and watched The Accountant 2 in bed with Oliver sleeping between us. A perfect end to the day.

Tuesday morning, we slept in a bit but aimed to get to the beach earlier since it was going to be hotter. We arrived before noon, and at one point, I took Oliver to the car to cool him off with the AC. We stayed until mid-afternoon before heading back to camp.

Wet Oliver After Swimming

 

Reading While Oliver Sleeps

Happy Boy at the Beach

More Fishing

It started to hit us that our adventure was coming to an end. We were sad knowing we’d be returning the RV on Wednesday. The experience had been amazing—waking up to coffee brewed in the RV, cooling off in the AC, and enjoying the comforts of glamping. We loved it.

Oliver by the Fire

That night, we stayed up late with the fire going, talking about our next adventure—and maybe even buying an RV someday. We finally went to bed around 2 a.m., not wanting the day to end.

Checkout time was 4 p.m., and we needed to return the RV to Gardner by then. We had a lazy morning, I fished a bit (no bites), and we slowly packed up. By mid-afternoon, everything was loaded, and we started going through the RV return checklist. It took longer than expected, so we arrived after 5 p.m., but we kept the hosts updated.

Oliver Enjoying Camping Life

If you couldn’t tell, we absolutely loved our RV camping experience. We’re not giving up tent camping, but RVing is definitely something we want to do again—and maybe even own one someday. I highly recommend the experience, and Outdoorsy made it so easy. I’m hopeful our next rental will be just as smooth.

Until next time, have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week ahead!

Thank You, blissBOMB – A Sweet Surprise!

I’d like to thank blissBOMB for sending me a delightful box of donuts to try out. We brought them along on our July 4th camping trip, and they were a hit!

It was such a pleasant surprise to receive a package of donuts in the mail. O’Malley, who has been following this blog and reading my posts about Munchers and other places we’ve eaten, decided to send me a blissBOMB sampler to try.

The donuts were beautifully packaged. Although they were all chocolate-based, each one had a unique twist with different toppings. They were small enough for me to enjoy in a single bite—perfect for sharing around the campfire. Everyone at the campsite loved them!

What a great idea—to be able to send donuts to someone from afar. It’s a thoughtful and delicious gift.

Of course, after receiving the package, I had to check out their website. They offer a wide variety of selections, and the best part is—they ship anywhere!

This is not a paid advertisement. I received the donuts as a thoughtful gift from a reader and wanted to share the experience.

Thank you again, O’Malley, for the generous gift and for being a loyal reader of my blog.

🎆 July 4th Camping Weekend at Council Grove

Happy 4 of July!

We went camping once again this year for the July 4th holiday weekend. The weather was great, and we were at one of our favorite spots—Council Grove Lake. It’s a fun place where we’ve rented a boat in the past, but this year we weren’t able to get one since we booked the site too late. Still, the campsite was wonderful—tucked along the dam with plenty of space and areas for our dogs to roam.

Erin and Carrie headed out a few days early, and Greg and I joined them on Thursday night. I actually made a quick trip out on Tuesday night to drop off a carload of supplies before heading back to Topeka. Erin and Carrie had great weather for their first night, with the temperature dropping to a cool 61 degrees. Carrie told me she got a little chilly that evening.

It was nice pulling into our campsite Thursday night to find everything already set up. Erin and Carrie had decorated with American flags and lights, and the tents were ready to go. Greg and I unloaded a few things from the car, and we were all set for the night. We picked up Pizza Hut for dinner since the town is only about 5–10 minutes away—another reason we love this site.

 

 

 

  

🌊 July 4th by the Water

Oliver in his Wagon

There had been a lot of rain in the weeks leading up to our trip, so the lake was flooded in some areas, and the main beach was closed. We found a nice little spot with shade where we could get down to the water and spent the 4th of July there. Charley and Oliver loved splashing around and staying cool by our sides. We think the area used to be an old campsite, so wading out was a bit tricky with hidden stumps and debris. Still, we set up our chairs in the water, dipped our feet in, and had a great day.

Steak and Potatoes for Dinner

After a relaxing day by the water, we returned to camp for our July 4th dinner: steaks, mashed potatoes, and green beans. So good! We stayed up late by the campfire, listening to music, enjoying drinks, and soaking in the night. Our friends Taylor and Rachael stopped by for a visit, which was a nice surprise.

🎇 Fireworks & Furry Friends

We were a bit caught off guard by how loud the fireworks were at our site. Fireworks aren’t allowed in the campground, but we were just on the edge of town, and there were plenty of booms and flashes. Oliver wasn’t happy about it, so I took him to the car, turned on the AC and the Royals game to help drown out the noise. That helped, and thankfully the fireworks ended by 10:30, so we could enjoy the rest of the evening.

☕ Saturday in Town

At the Brewery

On Saturday, we spent some time in Council Grove. We visited a great coffee shop that Erin and Carrie had been going to daily. Later, we hung out at Riverbank Brewing, which has been open for three years now. The beer and other drinks were great. We set up on the patio with both dogs, fans running at full blast, and had a relaxing afternoon.

🍗 Guests & Goodbyes

That evening, we had two more guests—Joan and Eddie—who came to see our campsite and brought Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner. It was so thoughtful of them, and we had a lovely evening. After they left, we gathered around the campfire for our final night and enjoyed each other’s company.

🚗 Heading Home

Packed Car with Stuff on Top Too

Sunday, we packed up and headed back to Topeka. Our car had been acting up since July 4th, struggling to start. Thankfully, it kept working, but I wasn’t sure how long it would last. Turns out it was a bad battery cell, which I got replaced after taking it to the shop on Tuesday. All fixed now and ready for more adventures!

🌦️ A Rainy Lesson

Overall, we had a fantastic time. The rain held off, the weather was nice (even if a bit hot during the day), and we were able to bring both dogs. Oh! I almost forgot—Carrie and I got caught in a rainstorm early Friday morning without the rainfly on our tent. We had to scramble at 5:30 a.m. to get it on. Lesson learned! Everything got damp, but we aired it out and it dried nicely throughout the day.

Until next time—have a great week and happy camping! 🏕️