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! 🏕️

Smoke in the Air, Memories in the Heart

Hot summer nights, thick humidity, and the smell of smoke in the air—there’s something about the Fourth of July that makes it one of my favorite holidays.

In my younger years, you’d find me on a boat at my parents’ lake, soaking in the sun and the excitement of the day. These days, I might still be by a lake, maybe camping, but I’ve traded lighting fireworks for quieter moments under the stars.

I’ve always loved the Fourth of July. It brings a flood of memories—running around with friends, sparklers in hand, and the thrill of fireworks lighting up the sky. This year is no different. As I write this, I can hear the booming of fireworks from nearby neighbors. Our dog, who used to be terrified of the noise, is slowly losing his hearing, so the sounds don’t bother him as much anymore.

I still enjoy a good fireworks show—especially when it’s far away, high in the sky, and shared with a crowd. But buying fireworks myself? That’s no longer my thing. If someone else wants to spend their money lighting up the night, I’m happy to sit back and enjoy the show.

It’s funny how holidays have a way of bringing back memories. I hope this Independence Day brings you joy, reflection, and maybe a little nostalgia too.

Stay safe and enjoy the weekend!

Gearing Up for Our Fourth Camping Trip (and a Sneak Peek at the Fifth!)

AI Generated Image

We’re getting ready for our fourth camping trip of the year—and we already have our fifth one planned! I’m especially excited about that fifth trip… more on that later in this post.

We’ve been doing a lot of camping this year, which was one of our goals after last season ended. I’m really happy we’re making it happen. So far, Oliver has joined us on two out of the three trips, and we’re planning to have him with us on the next two as well.

Our fifth trip will be a special one—it’ll be our first time camping with a travel trailer! We had our Honda Pilot equipped with a hitch and wiring harness about a week ago. We’ve already reserved a site and an RV, and now we’re working on getting everything else ready for towing.

One thing we learned is that we need a brake controller installed. Apparently, brake controllers come standard on most trucks, but this was new to me. Back when I used to drive my dad’s truck with a boat attached, I never heard of a brake controller.

After doing some research and talking to a few colleagues, I found out that a brake controller allows the trailer’s brakes to activate when the vehicle’s brakes are applied. It’s a safety feature that wasn’t available—or at least not common—back when I was towing with my dad’s truck.

Right now, I’m trying to get the brake controller installation scheduled so we’ll be ready for our July trip with the RV trailer.

I had budgeted for the hitch and harness, knowing they’d be a big expense, but I hadn’t factored in the cost of the brake controller. One local company gave me an estimate, and it’s definitely another significant cost. Still, I think it’ll be worth it to ensure we’re fully equipped, no matter what kind of trailer we’re hauling.

On a positive note, we’ll be making our final payment on the Honda Pilot in July—no more car payments for a while, hopefully! We’re considering getting a used car to replace the Accord at some point, but there are no immediate plans for that.

We’re really excited to start our RV camping adventures and are hopeful we can get the Pilot ready in time—without breaking the bank.

Until next time, have a great rest of your Sunday and an awesome week ahead!

Back to Hillsdale: Our Third Camping Trip of the Year

Tent and Night Sky at Camp

For our third camping trip of the year, we returned to Hillsdale State Park—the same place where we kicked off our camping season. This time, it was just Carrie, Oliver, and me. In the days leading up to the trip, severe heat was forecasted for the area. We debated whether to go but ultimately decided to go ahead with it. Our main concern was how Oliver would handle the heat, but we found a way to help him stay cool, which I’ll explain later in this post.

Sunset at Hillsdale State Park

We had originally planned to head out Wednesday night after I got off work, but we couldn’t reserve our campsite for that night. So, we left Thursday instead and arrived around 5:30 PM. It was extremely hot while we were setting up camp. As I mentioned, we were worried about Oliver being in the heat, so we kept him in the shade as much as possible.

Once camp was set up, we relaxed for a bit before preparing dinner. Carrie had made meatloaf the night before at home, so our first camping meal was meatloaf sandwiches with chips on the side. They were delicious. After dinner, we got a fire going—mainly to keep bugs away, as it was still quite warm.

Big Dipper in Night Sky

We stayed up late around the fire, enjoying the cooler evening air and watching the night sky. We saw a spectacular sunset before dinner, and the stars were out in full force. Although clouds were moving in, they took their time, giving us a beautiful view of the stars.

Even though most campsites in the area were marked as reserved, there weren’t many campers around. At one point, I counted only four other groups, despite many more sites being booked earlier in the week. I’m sure the heat kept some people away. We also decided to leave earlier than planned because of the heat.

On Friday morning, we woke up early as the tent started heating up. Oliver was up around 5 AM, but we managed to get him back to sleep for another hour or so. Even early in the day, it was already getting hot, so we spent the morning lounging, reading, eating breakfast, and taking it easy.

Oliver at the Beach

By noon, the temperature had climbed to 91 or 92 degrees, with a heat index of 106. To cool off, we took a car ride with the AC blasting. We drove to Paola, KS, for coffee and to explore the town. After about two hours, Oliver had finally stopped panting, and we were all cooled down. We headed back to Hillsdale State Park and drove around to check out the beach. We decided to grab our swimsuits and return for a swim.

Oliver Wet at the Beach

The beach at Hillsdale is a great setup—plenty of space, a large sandy area, and lots of picnic benches. We had a great time cooling off in the water. We even took Oliver into the lake, and it really helped him cool down. He swam out to one of us, fully submerged. I don’t think I’d ever seen him swim before, so it was fun watching him paddle with his paws.

After a couple of hours at the beach, we returned to camp. Dinner that night was Currywurst with fried potatoes. We waited until the sun was nearly down before cooking, relaxing in our chairs and keeping Oliver in a cool spot. We read and listened to music while we waited.

Dinner Cooking

Dinner was fantastic—a perfect end to the day. We decided to head home Saturday morning. Carrie and I could have stayed another day, but we were concerned about Oliver. At 14 years old, the heat was just too much for him, and he had been panting heavily at times. Friday night would be our last night of this trip. We had a good day and I think Oliver had a fun day too. Oliver had a happy look on his face most of the day and looked to be smiling between panting. 

Oliver in Wagon with Fan

We stayed up until about 2 AM around the fire, listening to the Royals game and then some music. It was a fun and peaceful night. At one point, we set up a fan on Oliver while he rested in the wagon, and it worked—he was zonked out while we enjoyed the evening. A perfect end to the night. We knew we would be packing up in the morning, so making the most out of our last night camping.

Peck on the Cheek While Camping

Saturday morning, we slept in a bit, but once the sun hit the tent, we were up. Oliver actually slept later than usual, which gave us a little extra rest. We slowly packed up and were on the road by around 10:30 AM. We stopped in Paola again for coffee before heading out to scout future camping spots. Our next goal: Melvern Lake—this time on the RV side. Yes, we’re planning to rent an RV in July for our first RV camping trip! We’ve stayed at Melvern Lake many times, but this will be our first time with a travel trailer.

Today is Sunday, and while we were a bit sad to cut our trip short, it’s nice to be home and relax before heading back to work tomorrow. Hopefully, we’ll be out camping again soon—fingers crossed for cooler weather next time!

Have a great Sunday and a wonderful week!

From SUV to Adventure Rig: Our First Step Toward Trailer Camping

We’re taking the first steps toward being able to haul travel trailers! This Friday, our Honda Pilot is going in for service to address two recalls. While it’s in the shop, we’re also having a hitch and wiring harness installed. Once that’s done, we’ll be ready to start pulling trailers.

We’ve been talking about adding a hitch to the Pilot for a while, and we’re finally getting it done. This will allow us to start renting trailers and see if we enjoy that style of camping. I’ve already set up an account on Outdoorsy, which makes it easy to find local trailers for rent and test out the process. Many experienced campers recommend renting before buying, so this should give us a good sense of what owning a trailer would be like.

I’m currently watching two trailers on the site—one in Eudora and the other in Gardner. Renting is pretty affordable, around $90 per day, which is still cheaper than most hotels. The biggest upfront cost is getting the hitch installed, but it’s right around what I expected, and it’ll be finished on Friday.

It’s been a long time since I’ve driven with anything in tow, so I’ll need a little time to get used to it again. I used to drive my dad’s truck with a boat attached and never had trouble backing up, but doing it in a Honda Pilot—with limited rear visibility and relying mostly on mirrors—will be a new experience. Still, I think I’ll manage and I’m looking forward to giving it a try.

One of the main reasons we’re considering a trailer is that it would let us camp earlier in the year and later into the fall. One of the trailers I’m eyeing doesn’t allow pets, but the other one does. For our first trip, we might leave Oliver at home so we can focus on learning the ropes, but we’ll see. Hopefully, we enjoy it as much as we do tent camping and can include Oliver in future trips.

One thing we’re not getting installed on Friday is the hitch ball. It was recommended that I purchase that separately, and I’m considering a multi-size hitch ball that can be swapped out depending on the trailer. On my dad’s truck, we only had one ball hitch since we mainly towed a boat or a trailer with a tractor, so it was pretty straightforward. I’m not sure how it’ll work with different rental trailers, but I’ll figure it out.

I’m really excited to get started. We’ve been thinking about adding a hitch for a few years now, and it’s finally happening. I’ll definitely share future posts about our experiences and hopefully some camping trips throughout the year—not just in the summer.

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

Happy Birthday to our dog Oliver — he’s 14 today!

Wow! It’s hard to believe we brought this little guy home 14 years ago. He brings so much joy to our family. We love taking him on vacations (when we can), enjoy camping with him, and cherish every moment spent together around the house.

Last night, I took him on a birthday-eve walk, and he had a great time. I’m trying to take him on more walks lately—he gets so excited just to be outside. It’s a simple joy that never gets old.

We’ve been on so many fun journeys over the years. Here’s to many more adventures with our little guy.
Happy birthday, Oliver!

 

Camping Through the Storm: Our Memorial Day Weekend at the Lake

Campsite at Eisenhower State Park

We went out for our second camping trip of the year from May 22 to May 26 (scheduled). Unfortunately, heavy rain on Sunday cut our trip short, and we returned that evening instead of Monday. Still, we had a great time during the days we were there. This is the story of our trip to one of my favorite locations—Eisenhower State Park at Melvern Lake.

Thursday, May 22

I was at a conference in Pittsburg, KS, from Tuesday through Thursday, so we planned to start our camping trip Thursday night after I returned. We loaded up the car and arrived at our campsite around 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. Erin and Carrie joined us but had to work the next day, so they helped set up the tents and even got the fire started before heading back to Topeka. Greg and I stayed behind to enjoy the evening by the fire.

Carrie and I had picked up Hog Wild BBQ in Topeka before heading out, so we had that for dinner. Erin and Carrie ate with us before leaving. Greg and I spent the night around the campfire, and it turned out to be the best night of the weekend. The sky was clear, and we could see stars all the way down to the horizon. We stayed up late talking, listening to music, and soaking in the camping life.

Friday, May 23

Walking Along the Bank

Friday morning started off well. Although I had the day off, I had a 9:30 a.m. work call I planned to join—only to find out it was canceled. Still, it made for a productive morning. I took a walk by the lake, and we spent the day relaxing at the campsite. The girls were planning to join us that evening after work, so Greg and I enjoyed a laid-back day.

We watched Washburn Tennis compete in the Final Four in Florida. They won 4–0, which made for an exciting morning. The afternoon was lazy—reading, checking emails, and listening to music. The Royals were scheduled to play that evening, likely around the time the ladies would arrive.

Oliver Relaxing

Carrie and Erin stopped in Lyndon to pick up Casey’s pizza on their way to the campsite. They arrived before 7:00 p.m., bringing the last of the camping supplies. It was an overcast night, but we had a great time around the fire, talking, listening to music, and enjoying each other’s company. Carrie brought Oliver, who loves camping too. Despite the forecast, we decided to brave the weather and bring our little guy along.

Saturday, May 24

Saturday was a day of relaxing, listening to music, and watching/listening the finals of Washburn Tennis and Royals baseball. We took a few walks around the site with Oliver, who loved it and did his best to protect us from other campers. We love our spot because it’s relatively secluded.

Carrie and Oliver by the Lake

Both Washburn Tennis and the Royals didn’t have the best day—Washburn lost 4–2 in the championship, and the Royals lost 5–4. Not the ideal sports afternoon. Later, we had visitors: Erin’s mom Mona and her friend Larry, along with Joan and Eddie, joined us for dinner.

Dinner was chicken fajitas—so good! As is often the case with camping, we forgot one important item: the propane connector for the Firedisc. Thankfully, we had our two-burner stove, which we thought we’d use the next morning and night, so we were able to cook the meal. It turned out to be a fun evening!

Our guests left just after sunset, and we gathered around the fire. Rain was in the forecast, and unfortunately, it arrived earlier than expected. We moved everything under the canopy and tried to enjoy the evening there. I ended up falling asleep in a chair holding Oliver. It was an earlier night than planned, with everyone heading to their tents.

Sunday, May 25

It started raining Saturday evening and didn’t stop until Sunday afternoon. Both couples were stuck in their tents through the night as the rain poured. Eventually, we got out when we received a text from Erin and Greg saying they were out for a drive. We joined them and took Oliver along to explore other lakes and campsites.

We decided this would be our last day camping, as more rain was forecast for Sunday night into Monday. After returning from our drive, we slowly began packing up. It was disappointing, but we all agreed it was the right decision. Thankfully, the rain stopped while we packed, which made things easier.

Once the cars were loaded, we headed back to Topeka, a bit down about ending early. We had planned to have pancakes for breakfast and steaks for dinner—neither of which happened. When Carrie, Oliver, and I got home, we unloaded the car into the garage and ended up napping through the afternoon and into the evening.

Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day)

Camp Fire and Laptop

Still feeling a bit sad about missing another day of camping, Carrie and I didn’t do much. We had planned to put away the gear we left in the garage, but that didn’t happen until Wednesday night.

Despite the early end, it was a great trip. As usual, we were tired from camping, so we spent the day relaxing. Oliver slept wherever he flopped down. He had a great time—he smiled the whole trip. Even during Saturday night’s thunderstorm, he didn’t seem scared, at least not that we could tell. He even tried to protect us from a dog across the way. I’m sure he was dreaming of his camping adventures while he rested.

We’re already thinking about our next trip. Until then, have a great rest of your weekend—and a great week ahead!

 

First Campout of the Year: Hillsdale Adventures

Oliver in front of Our Tent

We went to Hillsdale, KS, for our first camping trip and had a great time. We left Friday evening after work on May 9 and returned home on May 11. We brought Oliver along for the adventure. We had scouted Hillsdale State Park a few weeks prior and decided to give it a try. It turned out to be a wonderful spot for us to camp and spend the weekend.

Sunset at Our Camp Site

We arrived at our campsite in the early evening and took a little while to get everything set up. The site was different from others we’ve used before, as we had to park and walk to our campsite. Luckily, Erin and Greg had their wagon, which made it easier to haul our gear. We were a bit concerned since all the spots in the area had been reserved for the weekend, but it worked out well. We were spread out from others, which meant Oliver only had one or two nearby dogs to worry about.

Lights at Night

After setting up, we had a late dinner. Greg had made burgers and hot dogs at home earlier that day. He wrapped the burgers in foil, and we had them around 8 or 8:30 that night—delicious! We had a fire going and stayed up late enjoying the evening around it.

Saturday was a lazy day, which was nice. We had cereal for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch. Most of the day was spent lounging, reading, listening to music, and taking a few naps. We took Oliver on a few walks around the site, which of course got the other dogs—and Oliver—barking and protecting their space. We also walked up to the camp host site to get ice and firewood, which was a nice little stroll.

Hanging with Oliver

We enjoy listening to Royals games while camping and brought a real radio to tune in. We spent Saturday afternoon listening to the game. That night, Erin and Carrie made shrimp scampi with pasta, and Carrie added some shredded chicken we had picked up earlier in the week. It was a great meal to enjoy before another relaxing evening around the fire with music.

Our Hammock Set up

On Sunday, a few of us got up early. No one was really eager to pack up and head home. Eventually, we started gathering our things and hauling them back to the cars. Carrie ranks this site as one of her top favorites. It was a wonderful experience at a new location, and she’s already hoping to return later this year.

We arrived back home Sunday afternoon, and both Carrie and I slept most of the day and went to bed early that evening. Sitting around and doing nothing sure makes me tired! I think Oliver is still catching up on his sleep a week later.

Oliver in Wagon

It was a fun weekend and a great start to our camping adventures for the year. I was so tired on Sunday that I didn’t make a post, and with a busy week in the evenings, I didn’t get anything posted until now. This is the first time I’ve missed a Sunday post in a few years.

Have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week!

A Week of Reflections: Travel Tales, Sporting Highlights, and More

This week will be one of those rambling posts about nothing... or a lot, depending on how you look at it.

To start, we have a few camping trips booked for the year. I'm excited to get out and camp again and hoping to do more than we did last year. If my memory is right, we only camped twice last year. It was one of our lowest times camping since we started in 2021. We have a new spot booked for our first trip this year. More on where we are headed after we go camping. For the first trip, we are not planning to take Oliver as it could still be chilly in the evenings, but for the second trip, we plan to take him with us.

After traveling consecutively for four months, I'm not planning to fly anywhere anytime soon. I will be traveling to Pittsburg, KS in mid-May, but no flights anywhere. I traveled twice for two different conferences (Chicago and Orlando) for work and then twice with Carrie (Austin and Miami) for fun. I must admit that I enjoy flying. I look forward to the whole process, from getting up early to connecting flights. I have some flight watches going to track flights to different places in case a good deal pops up for Carrie and me to make a quick trip to another city.

Changing over to sports, my Royals started off doing well and then stumbled for a few weeks, going on a losing streak. We are back in Kansas City and playing well against the Astros. We are back to .500 at 14-14, which is good. It did not look good a few weeks ago when we could not get a run to save our lives. Hoping this trend continues and having fun doing so against the Astros.

Two weeks ago was, of course, the Masters. Wow! What a fun final day that was, and I'm happy for Rory McIlroy to finally win this one after coming so close for so many years. Yes, I enjoy watching golf, although I no longer play. I like to tune in to watch, and this was a Masters final day not to miss. Back and forth the whole day. It was a lot of fun!

Looking at my reading for the year, I am six books in so far for the reading challenge. I set 20 books as my target to complete for the year, so I am 6 out of 20. Doing pretty good so far, and it helped to finally finish two books while I was traveling for vacations and conferences. I do need to pick up the pace a bit on my current book as I am back to only reading a few pages, sometimes a few sentences, before I go to sleep. I need to bring my book down to the family room and read again while watching shows or sports. I am feeling good about my progress so far and hoping to hit the twenty-book target by the end of the year.

Our little Oliver will turn 14 this summer. He is still getting around great and often running around in our family room or backyard. We have noticed in the past two months that his hearing is going. He can still hear, but selective hearing seems to be happening. We also know that his hearing is leaving as he usually does not hear us come home and we have to touch him to awaken him from his slumber. He can still hear high-pitched noises like pots banging but is struggling with hearing our voices. He went to the vet last week for a spa day along with shots, a checkup, etc., and I shared with them that his hearing was degrading. Of course, the vet was not concerned as he is going to be 14 this summer, and it is common for dogs to lose their hearing. Still, it is sad to see Oliver losing his hearing just like it was when he had most of his teeth removed years ago.

That is all for this rambling post on a Sunday morning. Have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week. I will talk to you again next week.