Apologies to my fellow t@bbers. River Raisin Marina and Campground, Monroe, Michigan. We have been here for 5 months, and may be here for 2 more while we handle matters after the death of my brother last year. Only 20 miles from our house so we get to visit mom almost daily (we've lived less than a mile apart for nearly 50 years). These are the permanent digs, a 2006 30' Keystone Laredo. I so miss camping in the t@b, although I did post about all 7 of us in the t@b while the Laredo was repaired and improved. While a park like setting with hundreds of tall trees, most of our neighbors are semi-permanent residents (like us this year), here to work at either the petroleum depot or power plant just across the river and departing as the Michigan winter inches toward us. But, it's +80°F today and still summer like. I miss the lighter type of travel the t@b provides. The ability to move on a whim or twist of the weather. Spontaneity. Much more freedom and going places others can't. This 10,000 pound beast requires pre-planning and very deliberate movement, but that is a story for another time.
In this last pic, look closely at our roofline. For those solar geeks among us, there is 1.4 kilowatts of solar cells on top. Although we get only about 2 hrs of sun here on good days, we have never been plugged into shore power since our arrival on May 1st. We'll have to see how this progresses as the sun drops lower on the horizon. An update to come..... -Denise
@Sharon_is_SAM you bet! While I really do love our t@b, 7 souls on board was more than a bit much. Should we ever decide to move back into the house, the t@b is the way we will go. For now, we're waiting for routine seals and bearings to be checked, then we winterize and put it to rest for the upcoming winter in our backyard, where it will wait patiently for us to visit next summer, or the next......
Just got back from a quick 2-night trip out to Shenandoah National Park.
Mainly an excuse to test some upgrades under 'real life' conditions: new battery setup (2x 100Ah generic LiFePO4 in parallel), external solar arrays (2x RockPals 100W/18v suitcase panel arrays + Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/20), and generator (Rainier 2200i).
@techietab the campsite looks grand, and has a nice open feel to it. How did the test go? Did the solar keep the battery back charged back up from the night time useage? Do have the 2-way, AC/DC fridge?
Cheers
2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock, Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
This week we stayed a few days at Occoneechee State Park at Clarksville, VA, on Rte 58 at the Kerr Reservoir near the NC border. We chose site C16, not right on the water, but still close to the lake and very spacious with lots of shade trees..
Because roads are at the top of hills, many of the sites have 2 levels, with steps going down a short distance from the driveway to the picnic table & fire pit.
This was our second visit here since 3 years ago, and like before, we saw a great sunset from the picnic area behind the park office.
Here's a view from the driveway level. I've always loved how our T@B can be rotated by hand as I did here (a wheel makes it easier, but not always necessary with a flat foot plate under the jack post). Note that I tried wrapping the water hose around the stabilizer to avoid damage to the hose fitting if someone trips on the hose.
At the top of the steps I met this hairy little jumping spider (just a half inch long). I got a chuckle out of what looked like a big frown on his face, just below 4 of his eyes.
After getting in some good hikes on trails & some biking the previous days, we inflated our kayak & tied it on the roof rack for a short drive to the boat launch (the smaller of two inside the park).
It was just enough paddling for us to make it around to where our campsite was located (about 60 yards into the trees above my wife's paddle, and see map below).
Morning sun & a wide angle view of the beautiful trees, with lots of Beech trees (and squirrels dropping Beech nut shells on us)..
Edit: PS: I found the spider's name - He is Phidippus Otiosis & the size & distribution matches, as well as the general appearance. https://g.co/kgs/fpDpH7 Oh, and get this.. According to Wikipedia, "the species name is possibly derived from Latin otium 'leisure, peace, quiet + the suffix osus "full of, prone to"..". So, our little campground host spider's name is synonymous with "prone to leisure, peace & quiet"! Very fitting!
-Brian in Chester, Virginia TV: 2005 Toyota Sienna LE (3.3L V6) RV: 2018 T@B 320S, >100 mods
Buckhorn State Park, Wisconsin adjacent to Castle Rock Lake. Last night was the first time we have ever used shore power while out camping. We arrived 20 minutes before a large storm broke loose and the temps have been low. Not worrying about solar power and keeping the Norwood 3-Way lit on propane are welcome. The facilities here are quite clean and inviting for a public campground. Of interest there are hardly any campers here. We are going to explore the park, as it is our first time here. Bears have been sighted…
2017 T@B 320 Q Max 2018 Toyota Highlander, XLE Wisconsin
Earlier this week, I went to Mount Rainier National Park (Washington). Stayed at Ohanapecosh Campground. Good sized campsites that cater to tent campers -- motor homes over 32 feet and trailers over 27 feet are not permitted in this campground -- T@Bs are right at home here. No hook ups and probably not a good location for solar due to the topographic shading of the Ohanapecosh River valley and the trees, so fill your freshwater tank and charge your batteries ahead of time. Also, if you arrived from the north via WA route 123, there is a tunnel with 13' clearance.
I love fall camping, it was so quiet! The park is not a great place to take dogs though, as they are not allowed on trails, so we took walks around the campground, exploring the loops that were closed for the season.
Obligatory shot of the park entrance (this is the White River entrance on WA route 123):
Wish I had taken the wheel for my tongue jack, I would have turned the trailer sideways. Next time.
I had a nice, private campsite.
Bear boxes are provided at each site for storing foodstuffs, safe from wildlife. Didn't see any bears, but lots of squirrels.
Side trip to Paradise Visitor Center on a glorious fall day when The Mountain was out. Leave your trailer in camp if you take the drive to Paradise, the parking area is often full.
2018 T@B 320 S Boondock | 2015.5 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD | Seattle, WA, USA "Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”― Lovelle Drachman
Did our first stay at a Harvest Hosts location last weekend.
Henway Hard Cider / Great Country Farms / Dirt Farm Brewing in Bluemont, Va. Tons of farm activities for kids, great cider (with or without the booze) and cider donuts. The brewery is a little bit up the mountain behind the farm, with an excellent view and an absolutely gigantic 3-tier outdoor patio space. Beer and food at the brewery were both pretty good. There's a vineyard too, but we didn't check it out since we were pretty content at the brewery.
10/10, would recommend a stop for anybody in the area.
Was really surprised we were the only camper/RV on the property. The weather last weekend was perfect for camping.
Weekend stay at Cowan Lake State Park OH... including a stop at TinCap in Wilmington OH for flights of hard cider :-). Ah - camping in the fall! This leaves us with one more weekend planned at the end of October at Caesar Creek State Park and then a final weeklong trip to Disney World's Fort Wilderness campground the first week in December. Now when to winterize...
@BrianZ they are LED rope lights I got at Amazon - here is the link. I got the 33 feet which has some extra length but they fit perfectly in the keder rail. They were easy to thread through the rail from the side openings, but I could not get them to thread from the bottom openings (the rope would not make the sharper turns at the bottom corners). So for the lower area I pinched a few spots and tucked them in.
Comments
Volvo XC-40
SF Bay Area, California
And thanks for the location!
Draco dormiens numquam titilandus.
Volvo XC-40
SF Bay Area, California
River Raisin Marina and Campground, Monroe, Michigan.
We have been here for 5 months, and may be here for 2 more while we handle matters after the death of my brother last year. Only 20 miles from our house so we get to visit mom almost daily (we've lived less than a mile apart for nearly 50 years). These are the permanent digs, a 2006 30' Keystone Laredo. I so miss camping in the t@b, although I did post about all 7 of us in the t@b while the Laredo was repaired and improved. While a park like setting with hundreds of tall trees, most of our neighbors are semi-permanent residents (like us this year), here to work at either the petroleum depot or power plant just across the river and departing as the Michigan winter inches toward us. But, it's +80°F today and still summer like.
I miss the lighter type of travel the t@b provides. The ability to move on a whim or twist of the weather. Spontaneity. Much more freedom and going places others can't.
This 10,000 pound beast requires pre-planning and very deliberate movement, but that is a story for another time.
In this last pic, look closely at our roofline. For those solar geeks among us, there is 1.4 kilowatts of solar cells on top. Although we get only about 2 hrs of sun here on good days, we have never been plugged into shore power since our arrival on May 1st. We'll have to see how this progresses as the sun drops lower on the horizon. An update to come.....
-Denise
Draco dormiens numquam titilandus.
Draco dormiens numquam titilandus.
Boondock at town Rest/Camp area along Humber Bay, NL west coast. Camping encouraged. enroute to Blow Me Down Provincial Park for a week.
Boondock designated trucker lot by Wreckhouse Mountain range, living up to its name. 60-80 mph winds on return trip.
2021 T@B 320S Boondock/ 2012 Tacoma 4 cylinder truck / 2023 Tacoma 6 cyl. truck
2022 T@b 320 S / 2021 Subaru Outback
Because roads are at the top of hills, many of the sites have 2 levels, with steps going down a short distance from the driveway to the picnic table & fire pit.
This was our second visit here since 3 years ago, and like before, we saw a great sunset from the picnic area behind the park office.
Here's a view from the driveway level. I've always loved how our T@B can be rotated by hand as I did here (a wheel makes it easier, but not always necessary with a flat foot plate under the jack post). Note that I tried wrapping the water hose around the stabilizer to avoid damage to the hose fitting if someone trips on the hose.
At the top of the steps I met this hairy little jumping spider (just a half inch long). I got a chuckle out of what looked like a big frown on his face, just below 4 of his eyes.
After getting in some good hikes on trails & some biking the previous days, we inflated our kayak & tied it on the roof rack for a short drive to the boat launch (the smaller of two inside the park).
It was just enough paddling for us to make it around to where our campsite was located (about 60 yards into the trees above my wife's paddle, and see map below).
Morning sun & a wide angle view of the beautiful trees, with lots of Beech trees (and squirrels dropping Beech nut shells on us)..
Edit:
PS: I found the spider's name - He is Phidippus Otiosis & the size & distribution matches, as well as the general appearance.
https://g.co/kgs/fpDpH7
Oh, and get this.. According to Wikipedia, "the species name is possibly derived from Latin otium 'leisure, peace, quiet + the suffix osus "full of, prone to"..". So, our little campground host spider's name is synonymous with "prone to leisure, peace & quiet"! Very fitting!
TV: 2005 Toyota Sienna LE (3.3L V6)
RV: 2018 T@B 320S, >100 mods
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
2020 Subaru Outback XT
Pacific NW
"Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”― Lovelle Drachman
Toronto, Canada
2018 Toyota Highlander, XLE
Wisconsin
I love fall camping, it was so quiet! The park is not a great place to take dogs though, as they are not allowed on trails, so we took walks around the campground, exploring the loops that were closed for the season.
Obligatory shot of the park entrance (this is the White River entrance on WA route 123):
Wish I had taken the wheel for my tongue jack, I would have turned the trailer sideways. Next time.
I had a nice, private campsite.
Bear boxes are provided at each site for storing foodstuffs, safe from wildlife. Didn't see any bears, but lots of squirrels.
Side trip to Paradise Visitor Center on a glorious fall day when The Mountain was out. Leave your trailer in camp if you take the drive to Paradise, the parking area is often full.
"Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”― Lovelle Drachman
Spare & bike rack on tongue, Renogy 100w suitcase connection, cargo & door nets, sway bar, wired rear camera, Norcold aux fan, front window protection, frame mounted sewer & water hose storage, Krieger 1500w inverter w/100Ah LIFePO4.
‘17 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E- 5000# tow cap, 600# tongue cap
‘20 Honda Pilot Elite- 5000# tow cap, 500# tongue cap
Huntington LI
Santa Cruz/North--KOA.... STUNNING!
https://koa.com/campgrounds/santa-cruz-north/
Volvo XC-40
SF Bay Area, California
Toronto, Canada
Henway Hard Cider / Great Country Farms / Dirt Farm Brewing in Bluemont, Va. Tons of farm activities for kids, great cider (with or without the booze) and cider donuts. The brewery is a little bit up the mountain behind the farm, with an excellent view and an absolutely gigantic 3-tier outdoor patio space. Beer and food at the brewery were both pretty good. There's a vineyard too, but we didn't check it out since we were pretty content at the brewery.
10/10, would recommend a stop for anybody in the area.
Was really surprised we were the only camper/RV on the property. The weather last weekend was perfect for camping.
2022 T@b 320 S / 2021 Subaru Outback
Cape Disappointment State Park at the mouth of the Columbia River on Long Beach Peninsula in early September.
2022 T@b 320 S / 2021 Subaru Outback
TV: 2005 Toyota Sienna LE (3.3L V6)
RV: 2018 T@B 320S, >100 mods
Kevin