Jordan Lake: Our First Camping Trip of the Season

There is something about the first camping trip of the year that feels like opening a long-shut window. The air moves differently. The world feels a little wider. After the months we have had, with repairs and travel and that quiet kind of tired that settles into the corners of a home, it felt right to slip away a few weekends ago for a weekend and let Jordan Lake hold us for a while. The sky held that early season warmth that suggests summer is on its way, but not quite ready yet. Levi hopped into the RV with his usual certainty, already thrilled for the adventure ahead. In truth, he was not wrong.

Before we even pulled out of the driveway, the RV had a whole list of opinions to share. The kitchen faucet had blown out again, and this time we could see a three-inch crack running along the back of it. It was the kind of damage that made perfect sense after the harsh New Mexico winters. It had already failed once out there and had been patched with JB Weld before I left, so seeing it give up a second time was not exactly surprising, just inconvenient.

Cozy Coastal Escapes: Our End-of-Year RV Adventure at Myrtle Beach 🌊

This year’s Black Friday was the first time I’ve ever gone into a store to shop on that day. I wasn’t really interested in the deals since I didn’t need anything, but I wanted to stop by Dollar Tree to pick up a few items for some projects in the RV. I noticed that the state stickers on the US map by the RV door had started to peel and warp, likely due to the humidity and heat inside the camper. I hoped to find a soft photo album or something similar to protect them better. Josh’s parents and I ran errands while he stayed back at the RV with the dogs, watching TV and napping. We went to Dollar Tree, then Belk’s, and finally a small flea market on the way back. All in all, we made it through Black Friday without any trouble, enjoying the slower pace of our little adventure.

As the year winds down, we decided to take one last RV trip before the end of the year—a perfect way to close out the season with a little adventure and fresh air. In past years, Josh's parents would camp at Myrtle Beach, leaving right after lunch on Thanksgiving, and we would sometimes join them. It had been several years since our last Thanksgiving trip, so now that we have our own RV, I thought it was the perfect time to take it to the beach for the long weekend. When making our plans, Josh's parents expressed interest in joining us with their RV, so we booked two sites at Lakewood Campground in Myrtle Beach. I had never been to Lakewood before, so I was excited to explore what it had to offer. Josh's parents mentioned there was an indoor pool and some other amenities still open late in the season, which I was really looking forward to.

In the days leading up to our trip, we carefully prepped the camper by swapping out the summer bed linens for ones suited to cooler weather and made sure we had everything we needed for the weekend. On Thanksgiving Day, Josh and I went to his parents' house for lunch, spent time with family, and left with plenty of leftovers to stock the RV fridge for the next couple of days. This year, Thanksgiving was a bit different. Instead of the usual turkey, we opted for a ham with sides and desserts. Everyone brought just enough food, and we ended up with some leftovers, though not as much as in previous years. After lunch, Josh and I returned home to load last-minute items before hitting the road in the RV, headed for the beach. We started a bit later than planned and arrived at the campground after dark. Arriving after dark usually isn’t a problem for us since we’ve perfected our setup routine to about 15 minutes.

I knew it would be cold at the beach, but the chill was sharper and more biting than expected for most of our stay. Neither Josh nor I packed quite enough for the weather, so we spent more time inside the RV than outside during the trip. Still, the cozy camper felt like a warm little haven against the brisk air, a snug retreat where we could relax, read, and enjoy each other's company.

I managed to take Levi out on the beach a couple of times. It was his first time at the beach, and I
wasn’t sure how he’d react. Surprisingly, he was mostly unfazed by the sand, though he seemed unsure about the water washing up on the shore. Watching him explore the new environment was a joy, and even though the cold kept us from lingering, those moments felt special and memorable. I would have loved to sit on the beach with a chair, listening to the waves, but it was just too cold to do so comfortably.

On Saturday night, we went out for dinner at a local Japanese restaurant. We had been there before, but it had changed names a few times over the years. The meal was delicious and comforting, a perfect way to warm up after a chilly day. After dinner, we drove down to Murrell’s Inlet to see the Christmas lights. The display was beautiful, and the setup was charming, with activities, photo opportunities, small vendors, hot cocoa, and more. We walked out to the end of the pier where a

Christmas tree lit up with lights made a perfect photo backdrop. Afterward, the cold drove us back to the car, and we headed back to the campground, feeling grateful for the simple joys of the season.

Sunday was our last day. We packed up and prepared to leave, but not before taking one last walk on the beach with the dogs to snap some photos. The weather was the best it had been all weekend, with highs reaching the 60s. I wished we could have stayed longer, but we needed to head home to prepare for the week ahead.

Overall, we had a wonderful time. I look forward to returning to the beach to camp again, hopefully when it’s warmer so we can enjoy all the amenities without freezing. I’m not sure where our next RV adventure will take us, but we have a couple of months to plan. Until then, we have some projects to work on, including fixing the furnace and a few other improvements. We’ve truly enjoyed having the camper, exploring new places, and traveling comfortably. This trip reminded me how much joy there is in simple moments—sharing meals, watching the dogs explore, and cozying up in our little home on wheels. I can’t wait for the next journey!

Thank you for joining me on this little adventure. If you have any favorite RV spots or tips for winter camping, I’d love to hear about them in the comments below. Safe travels and happy camping!

🌲Every Little Thing: An Anniversary in the Forest

Six years married. Eleven years together. And somehow, it still feels like we’re just beginning.

We returned to a place I hadn’t camped in nearly fifteen years—a site tucked deep in the holler, quiet and familiar, even without sewer hookups. The last time Josh and I hiked these trails, Zoey was with us, bounding ahead like she owned the mountain. She’s too old now for that kind of trek, so we brought Levi, letting him sniff and explore the way she once did.

🌿 Wax, Rain, and Road Dust: A Weekend of SCA Firsts

This past weekend, I had the joy of attending an SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) event in Apex, North Carolina—and it was one for the books. I brought my RV and settled in from Friday through Sunday, embracing the full experience as a first-time deputy autocrat.

It was also my first real boondocking adventure. The site was a wide-open field surrounded by trees, with no hookups in sight. I came prepared: water tank filled, supplies packed, ready to rough it in style.

🌄 Pedals, Paws & Peace: A Weekend on the Virginia Creeper Trail

Saturday, August 30, 2025

Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee

For Labor Day weekend, we set our sights on a quiet corner of Tennessee, hoping to spend a day pedaling the Virginia Creeper Trail in nearby Damascus, Virginia. Finding a campground that could accommodate our RV wasn’t easy—most places close to Damascus were either booked or too small. But tucked just ten miles down the road in Laurel Bloomery, we found the Old Mill Music and RV Park. Full hookups, space for our rig, and a peaceful setting—it was exactly what we needed.

🌊Where the Water Remembers

We just got home from a short weekend trip to somewhere new. This past weekend, we drove to Pendleton, South Carolina, to stay at Twin Lakes Campground on Lake Hartwell. I had passed by it many times on my travels south along I-85 but never had the chance to stop. This time, something

🏕️ Fireworks and Footprints

This marked our third year camping at Smoky Mountain Campground in Bryson City, North Carolina. This time, it was just Josh, our pup Levi, and me. We returned to our usual spot—site 23. One day, we hope to snag a creekside site, but those are hard to come by since many campers rebook the same one year after year.

🌲 A Trial Run, A Tender Reminder

Josh and I decided to take the RV out for a short weekend escape—a gentle test before our big journey planned for the end of June. Ever since it rolled into North Carolina, carrying the dust and memories of New Mexico, we’ve been slowly breathing new life into it. Each scrub, each repair, each cozy touch felt like a conversation with the past. It wasn’t just about making it road-ready—it was about honoring the spirit it carried.

🚐 The Road Home: A Story of Inheritance, Grief, and the Spirit of My Aunt

The Class C RV had been parked behind the five-room motor lodge in Des Moines, New Mexico for years, its paint faded by sun and snow, its tires resting in the dust of a life that never quite hit the road. It was bought brand new in 2015 by my aunt’s cousin, but it was my Aunt who saw its true potential. She had dreams of traveling the country in it—of waking up to new skylines and chasing sunsets across state lines. But instead, the RV became a quiet fixture behind her motel, a shelter during snowstorms, a guest room for stranded travelers, and a symbol of the life she built in that small town.