1st Trip of The Season-Done.

This past weekend was our first trip of the season for 2015. There were a few little bumps in the road but all is well. We spent the weekend at Cuivre River State Park just East of Troy Missouri and despite the low number of folks that had reserved spots when I made my reservation, there was a rather large turn out. We had one of the best weather days you could ask for in early spring.....68 degrees and sunny on Saturday. The camper had some post winter hiccups that needed to be addressed but overall it performed well. The heat was nice and toasty and everything worked. No broken pipes over winter!! The kids had a blast despite the mud pit that was our site upon arrival on Friday. The trails were still water logged and sketchy at best....but we did our best to get out and enjoy it.

Max and his Camo Pants. Born and Raised in St. Charles County. 

Our home for the weekend...site 100. Sadly the water was not turned on yet so that meant using our water tank. We have gotten much better at conservation, but it still stinks with a family of 4 to worry about the water usage. I ended up bringing my 6gal totes to ensure we had enough water for the weekend. 

The kids love these. What's not to love about a S'more??? It's the simple things. 

A "Are you Serious??" Moment while trying to take a photo. 

Cool Sunset both nights.

I optimistically decided that Biscuits and Gravy were on the menu for Saturday's BKFST. I normally knock this out of the park...but for some reason this batch didn't turn out like normal. It may have been the adjustment to the new outdoor burner or not enough flour (I used all that we brought). This year I have a complete out-door kitchen including a grill and a high output burner that really works well. A few months ago I was in Wichita for work and picked up the burner on clearance at the Coleman factory and after some fiddling I think it will be a good fit. 

Ali got a FitBit from Santa this year.....and according to the fancy gizmo, we walked nearly 7 miles on Saturday. The kids were real troopers. It felt awesome to get outside and do something different.

Gibson spent the weekend with us and was just as exhausted as us at the end of the day. 

Yep....The can matches the table cloth. 

Here is the Outdoor Kitchen I was referring to....It actually works very well. Beans on the cast iron, and the chicken on the grill. Santa decided I would like this table and I must say its really nice having actually used it. The Jumbo Joe locks in place via a lever/fingers so that it wont fall off. Pretty cool design I must admit. I have have been more than happy with the Jumbo Joe that we bought last year....I can do anything on  this thing that can be done at home. Tasty!

A nice sunset both nights. The kids slept better the second night as always. Still a fun time for all. 

Next weekend we travel south to a remote part of Missouri to check out a somewhat new campground and a part of the state we have never been to. For me, some more travel for work is in store before we leave...a few days in the woods will be welcome after this one. Big Bob Gibson's. That's all that needs to be said about where I am going next week.  More to come. 

2015 Travel Season Underway This Week...

It was decided last year that the traditional vacation would take a back seat to RV travel this year and possibly next. There are many reasons for this. Last year we dumped pretty much everything in the new house and a bit of a slow down at work does not help things. The fact that we have an RV already and the kids are getting older and more forgiving about longer car trips made this decision pretty easy.  Everyone has gotten pretty comfortable traveling in an RV over the last few years and it defiantly has given me an opportunity to spend time with my family that I wouldn't otherwise have if we didn't own one.

It seemed like a ridiculously long winter even though it really was one of the milder ones we have had in the St. Louis region in a while.  The majority of the bad weather happened late in the season. Although we are not out of the woods just yet, I think we might be safe de-winterizing the camper.

Last year for spring break we spent a few days at Lake Wappapello and had the entire place to ourselves. I really thought long and hard about going back, but in reality there was not enough time to make it happen. They delayed the opening of this campground a little later than normal so we only would have been able to pick up the last few days of Sam's Spring Break. I do think that this was one of the more memorable weekend trips for us.....traveling 2 hours out of the way due to a navigational error. Also the blizzard that seemed to appear out of nowhere on our way back to St. Louis made for some very strange moments on this trip. 

This season opener happens this weekend and I am pretty excited for what we have planned with the kids this season.  We have some longer trips lined up for this year including our longest trip in our RV'ing history. My youngest will get to see the ocean for the first time in his life. For me, a stop at Big Bob Gibson's BBQ in Decatur Alabama and a day at the Space and Rocket Center for Sam.  We also have booked prime spot on Table rock Lake that is in the near future including all the touristy things there is in Branson. We are also heading back to Lake Barkley/Kentucky for the Independence Holiday. Plus many other trips in the works....and  the annual Kansas Speedway Pilgrimage. I'm Excited for it all and the kids are over the moon. 

Last night we spent the evening at the storage lot going through things in the camper. The kids spent their time running around getting into trouble. Together. They even befriended a nice cat. It all seems very simple, and it is. That's what is so appealing about RV travel. We don't have this time with these guys for long before the activities and sports begin to fill up the Spring and Summer calenders. Might as well enjoy it while we can.

Out West...

I headed out with a co worker to try to do some good out west this week. Turned out  to be a pretty good trip for the both of us. Weston Missouri is definitely off the Path....check out The Avolon. Pretty nice place to get a meal and an adjustment. You would never know this town is even there. I like places like this. 

Mid-Missouri at its finest. I don't really understand the fireworks angle. Pyro City, Beer, Smokes and Ice cream. You can even buy Gas. Don't think the Gas and Fireworks are a great mix.....but who am I to say.

Weber 14" Smoker!

Weber introduced something last year that is potentially a game changer for tailgates and campgrounds.....Weber Corp please take note, you  have my full and complete attention! I introduce to you, The Weber Smoky Mountain 14" Bullet Smoker. This little gem was introduced to the market last year for folks who need a more portable, durable and complete cooker. Yep, that's right... Please take my money. Every year at the Race Track I am completely jealous of the folks who bring the complete rig to cook on and always think about packing up one of my "Minions" to take to the the track. Yet it never happens. The Jumbo Joe we use typically is enough, however my mind tends to wonder. I also think that it would be a good idea to take one (Small Smoker) into the woods for a weekend. It makes total since honestly; when camping you have a lot of time to dedicate to the process of a long cook. Mostly at a camp site you spend the day just hanging out doing odd things and never really leaving too far from the RV.  Truth be told.....The only thing that has kept me from doing this is the thought of a rouge asbestos pawed Raccoon making off with my $50.00 brisket while I am sleeping . Sure that sounds funny, but believe me...this is a bigger concern than you might think especially in more regularly populated campgrounds. Our very first camping experience a few years ago I found a large, very healthy raccoon walk in between my legs to check out what we had left in our trash can around 9:45pm at night.  I had a bit to drink and remember rubbing my eyes to confirm what had just happened was true. They are Fearless and completely adorable.

Photo Credit: Words4it.com

Weber.com Photo of the 14.5" Smoker. Awesome. 

With that said, this year I plan on at least taking my smoking set up somewhere to  apply the craft outside of the house. Most BBQ comp's will require a "off base" setting so why not get comfortable cooking away from the house. We will see how it goes.  I have so far made my own sauces, rubs and methods to get to what I think is quality BBQ but I might just be kidding my self when it comes to the big time. 

I am thinking of enrolling next year in a KCBS BBQ comp in 2016 near Mark Twain Lake.....That way when I bomb big time I don't have to face any one I know....Just pack up and leave!