August 2016 coming quickly....

[peg110]

So right now our trip is only 2 months away.... It's getting real now.
We have our Tickets, reservations are made for HDDMR and DW has made the ADRs (all of which will probably change knowing my DW).

This past weekend we (or rather ME) went through the effort of De-Winterizing our NEW Coachman Catalina 343QBDS (OMG it's huge) and flushing the water system and making sure everything works with it. So now it's all flushed and seems to be working as expected. Had a few wrinkles though. Apparently when the Factory winterized it, the plumbed in tube (with a valve) to suck up the RV Anti-freeze. Well there was nothing telling me about it but I like it. So when Testing the system it didn't work as well as I wanted on the pump. Come to find out, it's because they left the valve OPEN on the suction line for the pump so it didn't have much suction to pull the water out of the tank. Just glad it didn't blow water out that pipe when I tested the system on the city water connection.

So stove works, water system works (shower/toilet/sinks/outside shower/water heater), AC works, Heat works, Fridge works on both gas and electric, TV works, Music System works, Electric Awning works, Microwave works, lights work and I changed most of the interior incandescents to led. Fresh linens put on beds basic supplies loaded (camping dishes, silverware, toiletries, first aid kit, garbage bags, etc...)

I bought a 3000 Pure Sine wave inverter to help with power on the road. It should be able to run ANYTHING in the camper for a short period (such as Microwave). Now I have to get it hooked up. Just don't know if it will happen before the August trip.

The excitement builds!!!!!

 

[jbrostek]

Awesome and congratulations on the new rig! I have several race events to use the rig at before she comes home for to get a good bath and start packing for the trip. We too are at that 60 day mark and its time to work on some FP reservations. We already started the dining reservations a while back to get things like Chef Mickeys and California Grill which where the kids requests.

After July 4th I have one last event then she will come home so I can pick at the small maintenance items and start the preparations. There is one more event last weekend of July but I can tow it there and back. Then its time for final load up and prep for leaving 2 weeks later. Originally I was going to get going super early in the morning to avoid the DC Metro traffic. But it turns out everyone seems to be pretty good with leaving about 8pm Thursday night and going to Ashland VA (less then 2 hour tow.) From there a reasonable hour departure (7-8am) should net us stopping at Savannah South KOA around 7pm. From there I know everyone will want to hit the road as soon as possible and get us there possibly a little early. But I am hoping the campsites may be ready by noon and we can head right to the site then find lunch and come back to finish setting up.

 

[peg110]

We have stopped at Ashland VA too. Nice that there is a Truck Stop right off the exit, plus a Wal-Mart just down the road. I like resting in the Truck stop because the hum of the engines are like white noise for me, but the DW doesn't like it at all. She does sleep but not very well. I might be more concerned about it if she were driving, but I end up doing all the driving, so I get a little selfish with MY sleep. They don't want the driver to be sleepy while driving. She and the kids all understand that though.

This trip down in August though, we are probably not going through the DC area and are going to take the 81 to 77 route down. Not sure where we are going to stop at that point though.

Have fun on your trips and maybe we will cross paths down at the fort.

 

[jbrostek]

We are there from the 13th through the 20th, requested 400 loop (we booked premium, its easier for Caren to help me back in with a bigger site.) We talked about 81 to 77 since I am only 20 miles from Winchester, and I may look to see what there are for campgrounds 2-3 hours south and still shoot to leave on Thursday. If we wait till Friday morning I would definitely go that route but would want to get going early in the AM since Savannah KOA is the goal once we get back to I95.

 

[amcc]

We are doing a 2 or 3 night trip in August to finish off our Florida resident tickets. It will be our first time camping while we visit the parks.

 

[JETS70]

We will be at the Fort starting July 30th through August 7th. This will be our 15th year going as a family. With our kids now young adults ad my DS working full time as an ER nurse and my DD soon to graduate from UK as a nurse, these trips become even the more special as I know that it is going to become more and more difficult to schedule. Oh well........ we are just going to make the best of each day we are at Disney.

 

[peg110]

these trips become even the more special as I know that it is going to become more and more difficult to schedule.

I would think it would be easier to schedule. As the kiddos make their way into the world, you can schedule your trips for a smaller group. I know it's not the same without the kids though.

We have 2 DDs. One is currently 18 and the other is 11. We have a trip in August where it's just me, DW and DD11. We then have another trip in November with me, DW, DD11 and other DD who will be 19 by then, plus her BF22. My oldest DD and her BF are paying for their own way (as far as food and tickets because there is no extra cost for up to 10 people at the fort and fuel economy at that point is negligible.) It may be their last "Hoo Rah" with us as far as Disney as they work and continue college. They may not like that we go without them in the future (and we do feel some sadness too), but we have to continue on with our life.

 

[JETS70]

I am retired now and the DW is the senior physical therapist at the hospital where she works so she gets to choose her vacations first. This has a nice side effect in that she will choose those weeks that the others don't want. The younger therapist who have kids in school get to choose those weeks like Spring Break, Thanksgiving or other popular weeks. We continue to do the August trips with the kids due to that being the week before the DD starts back at UK and it seems most other families have completed their vacations and are headed back to work and school.

One of the things that the DW and I have done since the kids have gotten older and started their own professional lives is going on more empty nester type vacations. We have been to the Fort 3 times without the kids and will be back for our 4th trip October 28th through November 16th. This will be our second Fall trip but first time for Halloween. The DW and I have really enjoyed these trips but still find ourselves saying things like "the kids would really enjoy this" or "it would be great if the kids were here to see this".

 

[PaHunter]

You two making me jealous, and home sick.....You will both have great trips and an enjoyable time.

 

[peg110]

Thanks Chris.... But to the Jealous thing, I can only say, that I seem to recall having that feeling as well not too long ago! Additionally, during that time, the weather HERE wasn't as good as the weather at the Fort!

I am hoping that it's not TOO oppressive when we go. We have been to WDW before in August but never at the Fort. Hopefully the AC in the new RV will be able to keep up.

 

[mich1073]

I plan on doing a small weekend trip, but not at the FW in August. Most likely bonnet creek so we can use those pools in the middle of the day.

 

[fireupchips]

We will be there August 1-14th. We can't wait to get back to the Fort after five years!

 

[peg110]

Fast Passes all made (but knowing my DW, they will change no less then a dozen times between now and then). The plan is to try and do mornings (rope drop) get the lines while they are relatively short, come back for lunch and some swimming, then go back early evening for the scheduled FP+.

Getting more and more real. My DD11 is so excited to go too.

 

[jbrostek]

No need to get too jealous Chris. Remember it will be August....in Florida. But with the Kids school schedule and no option to take them out at other times of the year, this was the best week we could pick. And we have both been busting our rumps to save up for it.

 

[amcc]

Fast Passes all made (but knowing my DW, they will change no less then a dozen times between now and then). The plan is to try and do mornings (rope drop) get the lines while they are relatively short, come back for lunch and some swimming, then go back early evening for the scheduled FP+.

Getting more and more real. My DD11 is so excited to go too.

That's our plan too! It's been years since we go to a park in the summer. We have one day left on the passes so I have one day of FastPass booked but I'm hoping to convince him to add a day in July (since we can't add over the phone) and maybe the waterpark option. We've never been to the waterparks and the kids really want to go.

 

[peg110]

So it's 40 days out... The excitement mounts.....

We got a new camper and now we are working on getting things set up for it. Tested all the water (Fresh/grey/black) systems to make sure all is well on the City water as well as with the pump. A few minor issues averted. Glad we did it before we got on the road.

Went shopping the other day at Bed Bath and Beyond. Finally got a descent set of pots/pans for the camper only. No more transferring from the house. The best thing about Bed Bath and Beyond is their 20% off coupons. Even though they have an expiration date, they really don't expire (at least the "Card" ones... the paper ones will though). So I have a collection of them. Bought Pots and Pans ($159) with a bonus stock pot, a few other miscellaneous utincils (Peeler, funnels, tongs, etc...) and the entire order should have been well over $200 but it was only $154. Yay!

Getting clothes ready. (DW has clothes just for Disney, so it's already packed.) The TT came with a TV in the main area, but the 2 bedrooms don't have any. DW and I don't need one, but my DD11 wants one. Easy... We had a smaller TV for our old camper (we bought it separate of the TT) and it's perfect for her room. Just needed to get a mount. ($19.00 at walmart) and got it mounted. It's funny though. The wall had a sticker indicating "TV BACKER" for where you could "Mount" the TV, but I am hear to tell you, there was NOTHING solid behind that spot. I did have a couple "Test" holes (more to get to the center of the stud) but it's all good now.

So her TV has a built in DVD player too. It's a 19" TV but the sound isn't all that loud. When we had it in our other TT in the living area, you had to be real quite to hear it. Now that it's in the smaller room with a door, it's perfect. She's happy and were happy.

Counting down the days.....

 

[tiggerdad]

Looking forward to reading along.

 

[2goofycampers]

Looking forward to reading along.

Me too! June was a quiet TR month.

 

[jbrostek]

Sounds like you are quickly rolling through the check list! We are about 40 days to arrive as well. But this weekend I have an event so the RV is still out at the track. But Sunday evening I will bring the trailer home at the end of the event. Then the serious packing can start plus getting all the maintenance items knocked out. The truck just got serviced and will be ready to roll, the RV just needs mostly cleaning and packing. But there is some chassis pieces to lube and I am hoping to get her washed and at the least start the waxing process as its really needed at this point.

 

[peg110]

start the waxing process as its really needed at this point.

(((((( Shudder )))))

I like a nice waxed vehicle, but it is probably one of my LEAST favorite things to do. Fortunately, our new TT is, well, in great shape and doesn't need it yet. I am sure it won't take long though before it needs the wash and (Ugh) Wax.