When Josh left his previous job and we had to move out of our park ranger house, we had 60 days to go from a 2 story, 2 bedroom house with garage to a 30 foot travel trailer. Which meant a LOT of downsizing for starting RV life. We had…
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Betsey’s Big Adventure: 4 Ways We’ve Traveled with a Cat
Our cat, Betsey, has been travelling with us since we started taking weekend RV trips in 2020. We strongly believe in animals being secured in vehicles- both for our safety and theirs. Over the years we’ve experimented with a variety of cat travel systems. Every animal has a different personality,…
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Is Switching your RV to LED Lights Really Worth It?
We always used LED light bulbs in our house because of electric bill savings, but are they worth it in an RV? LED lights are popular because they last longer (up to 40x as long!), are more energy efficient, perform better in the cold, and emit less heat. But we…
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Hidden Gems of Northwest Illinois: A Two Day Roadtrip
My best friend Liz and I took a mini roadtrip through Northwest Illinois, with stops in Byron and Freeport, before camping at Apple River Canyon State Park. This corner of the state is full of quirky roadside attractions, local history, and scenic views. Our itinerary could be done as a…
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Comlara Park Campground Guide: Lakeside Fun in Central IL
Even before full-timing, the campground we kept coming back to over and over again is Comlara Park near Bloomington, IL. Located on Evergreen Lake, Comlara has great campsites and many many trails to explore. We’ll tell you all you need to know to visit, and even share our secret favorite campsite.…
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What the Heck is a Puppet Opera? Our Visit to Opera in Focus
When we learned that there is a puppet opera less than an hour from Chicago we knew we had to investigate. William B. Fosser’s Puppet Production Opera in Focus is an amazingly unique show in the Chicago suburbs. Featuring handmade puppets performing to famous opera arias, I am so amazed…
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Argyle Lake State Park: An Under the Radar Nature Retreat
Argyle Lake State Park, near Macomb, is a hidden gem of the Illinois State Park System. We took a long weekend trip in 2022 full of hiking, paddling, and visiting some cool nearby places. Our trip recap will give you all you need to know about the park and ideas…
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The Best Beginner Backpacking Near Chicago: Forest Glen Preserve
The Midwest is not known for backpacking, but we found the perfect beginner’s backpacking trip less than 3 hours from Chicago. Forest Glen Preserve near Danville, IL can be a 1 or 2 night trip using the River Ridge Back Pack Trail. We’ll tell you all about it, and share…
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Camping At Mississippi Palisades State Park: Unveiling The Hidden Treasures
We’ve had several great weekends camping at Mississippi Palisades State Park in Savanna, IL and we’ve enjoyed it immensely every time. We explored the area around the park and discovered tons of hidden treasures to explore. In our camping guide and 2023 trip recap, you’ll find our campground review, information…
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The Best 15 Things to Do in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois
Nestled in Central Illinois, the towns of Bloomington and Normal are full of hidden gems. Blo-No is 2 hours from Chicago, and accessible by Amtrak, making it the perfect day trip destination. They are most well-known for being the home of Illinois State University, but there is so much more…