Well, I done did it....!!!! with 3 kids...!

[SilverToy]

Hello all!

Well, I done did it! With 3 kids for 4238.4 miles. 12 states. Numerous family members, cousins, dirt bikes, beautiful vistas.... an appreciation for this country of ours like never before... and of course, a million AS memories that will likely fade but doubtlessly grow to have that perfect hue that very few ever could hope to achieve. So nice....!!!!!

Pulled SilverToy for 3700 +/- of the nearly 4300 miles and NO mishaps. Only the poorly designed Stone Guards that came off ( 1st at mile 84, 2nd at mile 2900 or so) but all else worked as advertised or better. No huge mistakes that I as a "newbie camper" made.... OK, there were 2! Ran over the BAL tire locking chock when I failed to remove it and flooded the bathroom a tiny bit when I got involved removing a Striped Whipsnake from underneath the unit. Other than that all was GREAT!

BTW, saw 28 Airstreams the WHOLE trip, 2 of which were triples like SilverToy and Zillions of SOB's....

Kids LOVED the trailer experience, which was a BIG deal for me. Hoped for the best, and my desires were exceeded to such a degree I can't say.... Whew! What we saw!

NM, TX, OK, MS, IL, IN, MI, IN, IL, IA, MN, SD, WY, NE, CO, NM...home!

Will try to post photos taken on the trip and will post experiences (good and bad) about sites elsewhere. Just to let those that care know we made it back in fine shape! Thanks for paying attention to that that are! Appreciate it!

Ciao and good night!

Axel

[norbert]

great to hear....are you ready to go again in a new york minute?....

norby

[wahoonc]

Axel,
What was the time frame (length) of that trip...sounds great! and I am sure the kids will NEVER forget it. I used to take my two camping every month when they were younger and they can still remember details of every trip when something happened Now they both work at summer camps....

Aaron

[Barbara Peerenboom]

Congrats! This is the ultimate dream for so many of us! So in lou of us not being able to do it this year, how about some pics?

Barb

[ford8n]

Axel,
Congratulations on what sounds like a great trip and a safe return home! We always wondered if our children would remember the camping trips we went on when they were small......believe me they do! You have created memories they will have all their lives. We look forward to the photos.

Leland and Gail

[SilverToy]

Thanks for all the great replies!

Yes, will be posting photos when I got the media back from the photo place. Also got a new IMac Laptop to take on those upcoming trips!!!! Excitement abounds....

As to the question about doing it again.... OH YEAH! We will be doing it again! Most probably next year.... same route?! Not sure but the kids did get along GREAT with the cousins and want them to know each other before it gets 'Un-Cool' and all that jazz...

Mentioned that I had a few "Do's and Don'ts" thoughts. Guess that this is as good a place as any.

Storm Lake, Iowa - DEFINATE DO!!!! really great hosts, right on the 3K lake, only downside is big a** mosquitoes! Custer SD KOA - DO! REALLY great new owners that take pride in their place. Cousins Campground in South Haven Michigan - DEFINATE DO!!!!!!!!!!!! Super facility and close to everything including Lake Michigan.

Only one real DON'T as well - Kankakee KOA is a definate DON"T as the staff was rude, arrogant and just plain *&)#$*&....!!!!! Not to mention the area was ??? KOA will be getting a note on this one!

Met some wonderful people and the kids loved meeting all the "new" friends ever couple of days .... BUT really glad to be home as well! Next trip will try to plan 1/3 as many miles in 3 times the time. SO much to see and do! Corn Place, Wall Drug, Mt. Rushmore, Museums, road side attractions to numerous to list - including the Ice Cream Capital of the World (anyone know this one?), at least a hundred rivers that we crossed, 12 states we were in or camped in....etc....

I could go on but my wrists hurt and I fear I am boring more than a few ;>)

That's all for now and thanks again to all that that took the time to let me know they were paying attention to 'little 'ole me'!

Ciao for now!

Axel

BTW - Saw a triple at the Chatfield SP in CO on 7/14. Any ideas who that might be??? Didn't have time to stop and swap stories... but with the net, who knows?