GnomadicLife

“Home, Sweet, Oklahoma Home”

After leaving Colorado we made our way to Oklahoma for a few nights in the woods with no responsibilities at a State Park we’ve not been to before. We had reservations at Boiling Springs State Park and really enjoyed our time there. We had one “activity” day as we call them – basically a day to do whatever we want in a location that isn’t spent traveling to our next location. We chose to not even unhook the RV while we were there and took a nice walk to their office/gift shop to obtain maps and enjoy the park more. It is a really pretty park and we enjoyed our time there. The spots in the area that is not full hook up were much nicer and roomier than the area that is full hook up so I was glad we chose the roomier area to stay in when we booked our spot there.

While in Oklahoma we were able to help out a family member that had knee surgery while we were there, take care of our own medical appointments and enjoyed some restaurants we had not had access to in quite a while.

We also took the time while there to enjoy a movie at the theater for a date afternoon.

Also while in Oklahoma, Tessa saw her first live tarantula in the yard of our camping spot in Ada. We had come home from errands and as we were unloading the car there was a giant tarantula in the grass. Luckily it went on its way and it was safe to bring the pups out for a break – but I can tell you this I was sure to keep my eyes peeled for a return of that tarantula while we were there. We left Oklahoma sad to leave family but very excited for our next adventure.

It’s Been A While

In looking at our last blog post I realize it’s been a while since we’ve updated y’all on our adventures. Be looking for more of these posts again as we enjoy our winter at our current location in Hattiesburg, MS and as we eventually head to Virginia for our summer job in a few months.

We wrapped up summer of 2023 in Hot Springs, SD and made our way to Colorado Springs for a few days of relaxation and sightseeing. We love Colorado and I was thrilled to be back in the mountains again where we both feel so at home. We had reservations at the Colorado Springs/Pike’s Peak KOA where we had a patio site and a view from our patio of the mountains.

Part of the reason for our stop there was to take the train ride up to Pike’s Peak – which we didn’t quite make it to the top while we were there this time. They had rain which then froze in the switch boxes near the top of the mountain so we were unable to make the last 1500 feet or so to the top. It was a bit of a bummer to not get to see the view from the summit but we enjoyed the views and the ride as far up and back as we did get to experience.

While in Colorado Springs we also got a chance to visit Garden of the Gods which was spectacular as well.

Our final day in Colorado we went to our first restaurant that was on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and enjoyed a yummy brunch there.

A New Kind Of Adventure

Towards the end of April we left Oklahoma to make our way to Hot Springs, South Dakota to work for the summer season at a KOA. We’ve made the journey between Oklahoma and South Dakota a few times and have a couple of campgrounds that we tend to use as stopping points as they are very convenient to the highway and have been clean, reliable stays for us.

Our first stop had us in Salina, Kansas at the KOA there. We stayed in the exact same patio spot we had our first visit in Salina, This time though while we were there we visited the Rolling Hills Zoo. It was our first time going to the zoo together and we had a great time seeing some beautiful animals. They have a great variety there and while a few we couldn’t see as well as we wanted as they were renovating the lion cage and prepping for moving some of the animals outside as the weather started warming up.

After the zoo we had a great evening grilling and enjoying a fire on the patio. We had a bit of leftover wood that we’d been carrying for a few weeks and figured their beautiful fire pit was a great place to enjoy the last of it.

From Salina we made our way across some serious crosswinds in I-90 in Nebraska. It was the windiest drives we’ve been on and we were so thankful for the larger truck – driving was stressful and exhausting but our truck handled it much better than our old one would have. Several times we had to pull over trying to fix a spot on our skirting that was trying to pull rip off in the wind. We were worried it would rip and hit another vehicle and/or damage the RV in some way. We eventually had to pullover and Michael pulled the tin snips out of his tool box and we were able to safely remove the piece before it did any damage to anyone.

We spent the night in Ogallala, Nebraska and are so surprised still in how much this place had changed and improved since they’ve become a KOA franchise. They had just become part of KOA when we stayed there in 2020 and they’ve expanded and grown the place into a little bit nicer stopover.

Our last leg of the journey I drove the RV 200 of the 260 miles to Hot Springs, South Dakota where we are spending our summer months working at the KOA. More on that adventure in the next post!

Family Time and Medical Visits For All

After leaving Huntsville, Texas we spent a few nights at an Army Corps of Engineer park on Liberty Lake in Texas called Navarro Mills. It was the dirtiest campsite we ever stayed at. The firepit hadn’t been cleaned in weeks if not months – it was full of ashes and trash. There was pop tops from cans, water bottles, beer cans, lids, chip bags etc all over the site. It was very obvious the park hosts there did NOT do any site cleaning. The bathrooms we saw were cleaned by a professional company that came in to the park to clean – we opted to not check them out considering how filthy our site was. This spot was a huge shock after how hard we’d just worked with our fellow park hosts to keep a state park looking beautiful. Despite the trash in our site we had a pretty view of the water out our windows.

We arrived in Oklahoma about 10 days ago and it’s been a busy few days. Both Mike and I had doctor appointments, bloodwork, and tests to catch up on as well as the dogs needed all their yearly shots as well. We also spent Easter Sunday with family and have done some helping with fixing up a patio and cooking dinner at Mike’s folks house. The dogs have had some fun times over there running off leash in the fenced in backyard. We love getting to take them over there as the campground we stay at near their house has a plethora of dog owners that seem to not have a leash for their dogs – this leads to our dogs wanting to protect us and they aren’t fond of the off leash dogs.

We have firmed up our plans for our drive to South Dakota when we leave here the 25th of April and the reservations have been made for our stops along the way. Having made this trek a few times to sightsee and spend time with family we have a couple of KOA campgrounds that we prefer along the way it helps that they are both convenient to the highway we will be traveling on. The KOA in Salina, Kansas we are staying at for a few days and we picked one of their patio sites so we can have campfires and grill while we stay there. Our other KOA is in Ogallala, Nebraska and while it doesn’t have a lot of amenities it’s a nice place to spend a night.

We spent some time this week planting a few plants to take with us on our journey. In Huntsville just after Valentine’s I had found a dianthus/carnation that I transplanted to a bigger pot this week. To our planting spree we added a patio cherry tomato plant, a planter with parsley and basil, and a geranium plant. Tessa has been enjoying playing in the dirt planting this week.

Time Flies When You Are Having Fun

It’s hard to believe that in a week we will be wrapping up our first joint park hosting job at Huntsville State Park in Texas. The weather is warming up and we’ll be trying to outrun the heat again heading north for the summer. Our current plan is to head to South Dakota the beginning of May to work at a KOA campground there for the summer.

When we got to Huntsville we had ideas that we would enjoy working as park hosts – we didn’t expect to love it as much as we have and that we would find family here. From the moment we got here we were welcomed and while a few were a bit standoffish at first – some people adapt to new people different than others – we now feel like we truly have found family here. From the lunches out with the park hosts at the spur of the moment, random meetings while driving through the park, Wednesday morning wood splitting where there are older people outworking some younger people I know – this experience has been one of the best times of my life.

Our spot is truly one of the best in the park – we have a deck that was put in as the ground underneath the deck was deteriorating and allows the outdoor space to be usable. We’ve spent a lot of time with our propane firepit and our grill on that deck watching the trees and the lake. We’ve grilled a lot of meals from that deck, had a few adult beverages, and just listened to the wind all while contemplating just how lucky we are.

The current plan for the rest of the year after our time in South Dakota is that we are planning to be back here in December through March of 2024. We’ve already been told by the park superintendent that we are welcome back and it appears we’ll have this spot again – that makes leaving next week a bit more bearable to us. We know we don’t want to be in East Texas in the height of the summer but it’s still hard to leave our little home in the Pineywoods.

Winter Morning in the Forest

There’s something magical about a cold morning in the forest

One of the best things about camping in the colder months is waking up to a cold, crisp morning in the forest. There’s something about the air that just feels invigorating and alive. You can see your breath in the air, and the trees are covered in a blanket of frost. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of some wildlife. White-tailed deer are particularly active in the morning, and you might even see them walking through the forest. Taking in all the beauty around you, it’s hard not to feel grateful for the natural world and all that it has to offer.

As the sun rises above the horizon and the cold morning begins, the forest takes on a completely different look. Each blade of grass and each pine cone is coated in a layer of frost, sparkling like a wintery bed of crystals. The trees, bathed in moonlight during the night, now stand in the yellow hue of sunlight. The cold morning air creates a sense of quietness, punctuated by the occasional bird chirp or other animal sounds. It’s a unique time of day when you get to take in the beauty of nature without being disturbed by the hustle and bustle of the world. The trees whisper in the background, a reminder of the peace and serenity the natural world has to offer.

It’s a time to reflect on the beauty around us

The cold morning in the forest is a time to reflect on all the beauty around us. As you take in the majestic sight of the trees stretching up to the sky, take in the stillness that the morning has to offer. Rather than letting your mind wander, take a few minutes to focus on the beauty around you. Observe the details and appreciate the natural world for what it is. Soak in each moment, and appreciate the peace and serenity of the forest. There’s true beauty in nature, and it’s worth taking the time to appreciate it. Appreciate the beauty of nature by looking up at the stars, standing in awe of soaring mountain peaks, or taking deep breaths of crisp, cold air. The natural environment can teach us so much and help us better appreciate the world around us.

As the sun rises ever higher in the sky and the cold morning fades, reflect on the peace and serenity that the forest offers. Life can be stressful and chaotic at times, so being able to go out and experience nature is a real blessing. We often take for granted the small moments of beauty that nature has to offer and the peace that it brings into our lives. Take the time to really appreciate nature for what it is and be thankful for the opportunity to just be in the stillness of the woods. Conclusion: A cold morning in the forest is something that has to be experienced to be fully appreciated. We often take for granted the beauty of nature and the peace that it can bring us. Take the time to enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of the forest and truly appreciate the simple beauty of the natural world.

Settling In As Park Hosts

Friday wrapped with a near full park despite forecasts of cold temps and heavy rains. You have to respect the hard core nature of some of these folks willing to setup camp in the rain. Despite the mercury heading south and not a glimpse of the sun the tents and canopies popped up like groupies waiting for tickets to a rock concert. We love it when the echoes of children’s laughter ring out with such infectious joy and happiness it cannot stop from spilling over from site to site.

We saw our first round of “problem campers” for this park hosting gig that still has us shaking our heads. One group decided to setup their own impromptu zip stretching a couple hundred feet between some not yet occupied sites, another group let their 5 or 6 year old kiddo go off into the woods alone with an axe to do some illegal chopping, and the all too common trend of people not keeping their dogs on leashes. The “problem campers” are by far the minority but they do tend to create rich and distinct memories for us hosts.

Monday afternoon now and the weekenders have left allowing the energy of the park to return to a calm peaceful flow. As much as we do love seeing the park fill up and feel that buzz of life we equally love that feeling that the park is once again our private little nature reserve. The best way I can describe it is like having family visit for the holiday, you love seeing them and all the excitement however you also love when they leave and you have your home back to yourself. Happy camping!

Unexpected Hotel Stay – Quemado, NM

Leaving Show Low we were headed to Alamogordo, NM for a few days sightseeing and well it would put us back by the mountains (noticing a trend here yet lol). However, as we were leaving Show Low – about an hour and a half into our drive – the truck signaled that the trailer brake was disconnected. We were a bit confused so we pulled over immediately – as soon as Michael opened the driver door I could smell the smoke and immediately felt my anxiety try to start climbing. If you are newer to this blog you may not know that June of 2021 we were heading to Louisiana when we were flagged down on the highway – pulled over to smoke billowing out of one our driver side tire areas. We had a bearing that was catching fire – that incident led to our first ever hotel stay together and a stressful night for sure.

Our tire pressure monitor system (tpms) hadn’t caught it yet as it was just heating up although it caught up after a minute. After a call to our roadside assistance company we knew this was going to be a rough time – we were 12 miles outside a very, VERY small town and 70 miles from any major towns for repairs. Roadside assistance had no one nearby to get to us (not a surprise considering where we were) however they could try to get a truck to take the trailer to the town 12 miles away – we did not have confidence in breeching the language barrier we were dealing with that they understood someone would have to actually put the trailer on a flatbed trailer to haul it. We decided to make a bold choice and limped our way – 5 mph for 12 miles which took us about 2 hours to get to Quemado where roadside had spoken with a shop that would actually be able to fix it. It was a scary drive and we watched the tire temps the entire time to be sure we weren’t overheating to the point of making things worse than they were.

When we got to the shop it became obvious we weren’t making any progress to Alamogordo that night. The young man working to get the bearing off that was melted to the axle was trying but it was not an easy job. One of the biggest blessings we had was that there was a small motel across the road from the shop. I went over and reserved us a night there so they could work on finishing the repair on Saturday. Our RV isn’t equipped yet for solar and with the gas station traffic at the shop as well we figured it would be easier to do the hotel stay with the dogs around. We were hoping it would be a one day fix but Saturday proved to be very frustrating.

The nice hotel manager had told us we could check out a bit later in the hopes that our repair would be fixed mid-day. We checked out around 1 in the afternoon and waited in the truck for hours and hours. Being a small town no one was in a great hurry it seemed – they all were very laid back and while we were anxious and had plans to be elsewhere that wasn’t their worry. By about 7:30 in the evening on Saturday it became very obvious that we were not leaving and we reserved another night in the small motel. By this point we were frustrated, tired, irritated (turns out one of the guys working on a part decided to spend several hours that afternoon otherwise occupied while having promised he’d have us on the road that night).

As we had reservations at the KOA in Alamogordo we contacted them when we knew we wouldn’t make the first night’s stay there and on Saturday when we thought we were going to be back on the road let them know we’d probably get in late but we’d be there. Sunday morning as we were getting word that the repairs were done the KOA manager called to make sure we were okay and safe as she noticed we hadn’t arrived the night before as we thought we would. We were very touched by her checking on us and appreciated the concern – let her know we’d just gotten word we were repaired and would see them later that day. The rest of the drive to Alamogordo was uneventful and filled with gratitude that we were back on our way to our destination.

Show Low Arizona

Last summer we had reservations to go to Fools Hollow State Park in Show Low, Arizona after leaving Ruidoso, NM. However, due to some brake failures after heading down a mile and a half of 8% grade with the trailer brakes not fully engaging after some repairs that had been done several weeks before – we had to cancel our first attempt to visit this state park. We had selected an unusual buddy site as our spot for the four nights we were going to be there. Coming in to Show Low had us heading in to the mountains which if you’ve followed this blog for any amount of time you probably know we have a special affinity for the mountains.

Show Low is a cute little town with an interesting history. In the early days 2 settlers who were neighbors worried about their land growing too close together and getting too crowded. They decided that they would have a card game and whoever won a game of Seven-Up – as they dealt the last hand it was decided whoever showed the lowest card (Show Low) they would win and stay and the other would leave for other areas. The low card was a 2 of clubs which has lead to the main street in town being called “Deuce of Clubs”. Apparently they still use this method today when there is a run off for the mayor – essentially whichever draws the “deuce of clubs” is then proclaimed the mayor for the next term. (credit to: https://arizonaoddities.com/2009/07/how-did-show-low-get-its-name/ for the information on the town name).

Statue in town depicting the name of the town

Fools Hollow State Park is just outside of town and is a very pretty campground. They have a small lake – although you can tell the drought that is so prevalent in the west is definitely affecting using the water for boating and such. Many of their sites (not all though) are buddy sites – one side is longer and with full hookups the other side shorter and does not have sewer. It seems like a great way to camp with friends and family – we had the longer full hook up spot and our neighbors in the other part were very nice – even offered to carry our trash one evening on their way to the dumpster as well. They had probably more park hosts than any other campground we’ve been to – although I think park hosting there would be really nice it’s a pretty park with lots of trees and decent space between the spots.

While camping there we grilled some foods as we’ve been doing so much more of these days and even filmed a video for our YouTube page. If you haven’t found us on YouTube yet we’ve got plans for more videos to come (I’m learning to use some editing software to put these videos together).

Grand Canyon

Leaving Vegas we were so ready to get back in to the woods and we were so excited to head towards the Grand Canyon. We had hoped to get there during what we still call our “big trip” back in May 2020 but with Covid closures we passed at that time said we’d get there in the future. Well the future finally arrived and we made it to the Grand Canyon this year. The KOA we stayed at in Williams that’s closer to the Canyon was not as nice as we hoped it would be but it was convenient to drive out there.

We took Saturday to drive to the Grand Canyon and we were so glad we did. Walking up to the edge of the Canyon was an awesome moment. The fact that we were actually at the Grand Canyon my breath caught in my throat and the tears started to well up in my eyes. I don’t know if I will ever forget that moment when I first saw that view in person. After years of having seen it on tv or in pictures to actually be standing there overlooking the edge was incredible. I’m so grateful that we finally made it there on this part of our journey. We definitely want to go back and tour the North Rim of the Canyon and possibly even head down into it.