Let the fun begin.
The first step in getting somewhere is to decide you are not going to stay where you are.
-Unknown
After many years of dreaming and talking about it, we finally did it. We bought a truck and a travel trailer. We started our adventure on June 14th, 2022, when we picked the trailer up at Coulee Region RV Center in West Salem, WI., a few miles east of the Mississippi River and the Minnesota border. In keeping with my inevitable luck with such things, it was the hottest June 14th ever recorded in Wisconsin, 97 degrees with high humidity, which gave us a “real feel” temperature of about 110 degrees. It was very “Florida” that day.
On our first night, having never done any of this before and with a brand new rig, we camped in a traditional campground a few miles from the RV dealer, just in case there were any issues. We thoroughly tested the air-conditioning, and while it cooled the trailer eventually, it was still one of the sweatiest days ever.
For those interested in the new rig, truck, and camper, click here.
We certainly aren’t roughing it (picture from the Grand Design brochure).
Despite the oppressive and sticky heat, we sat outside that first evening and toasted our accomplishment with a couple of ice-cold “Palomas” -tequila, fresh lime juice, and grapefruit soda. Mui delicioso. Later in the night, severe storms developed, lasting through the next day. Pouring rain, high winds, and a tornado warning made things interesting. What they called a “large devastating tornado” went just to the north of us, destroying a bunch of stuff. It was eerie. There is no basement to run to in a travel trailer, and we had a sinking feeling a Wizard of Oz moment was nigh. The silver lining is that all the mayhem was caused by a cold front that cleared the humidity and gave us several days of perfect and comfortable 80-degree days.
For my wife.
After over 40 years of service as an RN, and a year or so of struggle and challenge, she can now rest quietly without a care. On the first morning, while having our first cup of trailer coffee, it started to sink in that we were truly free.
Our first Harvest Hosts stop was Justin Trails, a 200-acre farm in the same family for over 100 years. The green will knock you out if you haven’t been to Wisconsin in the summer. I’ve often said that summer here is just about the most pleasant thing I have ever experienced. It is warm, green, peaceful, and so alive. There is nowhere I’d rather be.
The driveway of my dreams. Since I was a child, I’ve often dreamt of days and places like this. I guess this is why we ended up here. The Sonnenburgs have a long history in this area, having settled nearby in the mid-1800s before parts of the family moved on to South Dakota and later California. I still have a bunch of distant relatives here. When wandering the backroads, I often feel a strange familiarity, like I have come home.
Justin Trails is an interesting place. Located outside of Leon, WI., it is a B&B, frisbee golf course, wedding, and special events venue, and has miles of groomed and mowed ski and walking trails. The grounds are immaculate—a perfect first stop on our Harvest Hosts journey.
Our campsite at Justin Trails was a large gravel parking lot where you could choose where you wanted to be and what direction you wanted to face. We decided to “camp” right next to the Llama pen.
Just stunning even for us Wisconsinites; summer always takes my breath away. What you can’t see or hear is all the life; bird song coming from every direction, the wildflowers, dragonflies and butterflies, the fireflies at night, and the fresh air.
Wanda enjoyed feeding the locals. Rusty and Dusty were great neighbors.
My two best friends. Note our trailer and “Rusty” the llama (or is it Dusty?) in the background.
It sure beats camping at a campground.
My love, with her ever-present companion, George. Places like this infuse your soul with something, I can’t describe it, but I know what it is. I also understand that this is what we should be doing with that most precious of things, time. And after a couple of appointments this week, we will be heading out to have more adventures. Stay tuned.