Oh hey, it’s me – Ariel. Your favorite road trip correspondent, campground security chief, snack inspector, and the actual reason this whole RV adventure works. The humans will tell you summer was all about “family time,” “adventure,” and “seeing new places,” but let’s be honest – it was about me.The trails? I walked them. The…
The last donut’s been devoured. The lawn chairs are folded. Ariel has patrolled the perimeter for squirrels one final time — and deemed it secure. Which means one thing: the RV season is officially winding down. There’s a particular ache in shutting the RV door for the last time in a while. It’s not dramatic…
Some trips are all about covering miles. Others are about slowing down and letting a place really sink in. Gettysburg was one of those. We rolled in from Somerset, PA, under a heat wave that seemed determined to follow us. The air felt thick enough to chew, but the history here – and the small-town…
Let’s be honest: this wasn’t the kind of trip that gets turned into a glossy postcard. It was hot. It was sticky. It was slow. And it was deeply, weirdly wonderful in the way that only settling in can be. We spent almost a full month in Ohio – starting with a prep week in…
Hi. I’m Ariel. I’ve got four paws, two humans, one RV, and a LOT of opinions about road life. I’ve sniffed more trailheads than your average fitness influencer and logged more miles than most rental cars. So believe me when I say: if you’re planning to hit the road with your dog, you’re going to…
By the time we pulled into McKean, Pennsylvania, the air smelled like fresh-cut fields, the sun was flexing at full strength, and Ariel had already picked a shady patch of shrubbery to begin her campground surveillance. After the big energy of Medina and Niagara Falls, McKean felt quieter-more hammock, less hustle. We didn’t have a…
We rolled into Medina just before sunset—Journey tired, the crew a little rumpled, and Ariel immediately claiming the shadiest patch of grass like she had a reservation. After the full-throttle week we had in Watkins Glen, this quiet Erie Canal town felt like an exhale. We didn’t launch into big adventures right away. Instead, we…
We rolled into Watkins Glen with snacks in the backseat and stress still clinging to our sleeves. After a long day of errands (including M getting her driving permit, cue mild parental panic), we finally arrived at the Corning/Watkins Glen KOA Resort. Journey gave her signature rattle (reassuring or ominous—depends on your perspective) as Ariel…
Every year, I say we’re going to start packing light. Every year, we repack three times. Our annual summer trip kicks off the same way: me with a list, Michaela with a pile of clothes (half of them hoodies), Ariel sitting directly on top of the most important items, and Journey (our RV) waiting patiently…
With family in the RDU area, I’ve spent plenty of time in the Triangle. It’s not a typical tourism destination, but if you’re passing by, plan to stay for a few days – there’s plenty to see and even more things to do in Raleigh/Durham than you might expect, and if your family caravan includes…
