As with everything it takes practice to get good at something. I was reading a post about people going full timing and one of the most popular suggestion was start close to home. There you are familiar with everything and it helps make the transition a whole lot easier. That was very true for us. Our first orientation trip was for a week at Willow Beach State Park in Little Rock. We learned the workings of the camper. Boy was it a life changer. We were so excited and wanted to just keep on traveling. The dogs loved it and very quickly made a new home. Willow and Lance just took it over. Seems it was enjoyed by the whole family and we found our right home. As my grandson Braxton said: 'Mamaw saw it so Papaw bought it'. So very true.
The second trip was only a three day weekend and we traveled to Gulpha Gorge Park in Hot Springs. Very reasonable National Park 28.00 per night full hook ups. There is also some discount passes available you can buy there but we were too young to qualify. We are learning what we need in a camper to travel, lets start off with a blower, weedeater and ant killer. Although for some reason here was a tick infestation. They were dropping off the trees around the camp. Someone said that it was very strange for so many. But these are things you would need to clean off your area and treat for insects to get your site ready for you.
So lets talk television now. In the gorge you are deep in the woulds and surrounding rock. TV was very limited to non existent. Traveling with a grandson needs a little entertainment. We went to a close Red Box and rented movies for the weekend. As we looked around the camp we saw numerous portable TV dish receivers. One of the most popular was the Playmaker definitely something to invest in while full timing. Tammy has "her shows" she just needed to watch any where we traveled. We went with Dish on the Go and bought a Playmaker II with the Wally set up. The best thing with it was if you dont use it there is a Pay As You Go plan that you can turn on or off depending on your area and desires. Cant wait to try it out when it arrives. We also bought it at Amazon. We have been signed up through Amazon Smiles a program Amazon to give back to charities. We have selected the Arkansas Freedom Fund. Now all of purchases Amazon gives a portion to the Charity. A great way to help Arkansas Veterans. But for our trip we hiked the trails with the dogs and Braxton. Really getting into the woods was awesome.
So lets talk television now. In the gorge you are deep in the woulds and surrounding rock. TV was very limited to non existent. Traveling with a grandson needs a little entertainment. We went to a close Red Box and rented movies for the weekend. As we looked around the camp we saw numerous portable TV dish receivers. One of the most popular was the Playmaker definitely something to invest in while full timing. Tammy has "her shows" she just needed to watch any where we traveled. We went with Dish on the Go and bought a Playmaker II with the Wally set up. The best thing with it was if you dont use it there is a Pay As You Go plan that you can turn on or off depending on your area and desires. Cant wait to try it out when it arrives. We also bought it at Amazon. We have been signed up through Amazon Smiles a program Amazon to give back to charities. We have selected the Arkansas Freedom Fund. Now all of purchases Amazon gives a portion to the Charity. A great way to help Arkansas Veterans. But for our trip we hiked the trails with the dogs and Braxton. Really getting into the woods was awesome.
Our third outing was to Maumelle Park on the Arkansas River. A COE park 22.00 nightly and we did 5 nights. Starting to really get the hang of things. Learning the ins and outs and signing up for all the full timing Facebook Groups, reading blogs and looking at all the suggestions. Our first since my stroke on May 1st and my semi-retirement. This trip is where I started getting the full idea of working while traveling. For both my job at UAMS and my internet work at 4Bike-Police.com and the Arkansas Freedom Fund. I knew I needed connectivity. We went with the Verizon Jet Pack for unlimited data and the large coverage area. That went great the jet Pack worked as advertised. I was able to sit out side in a lawn chair and do all my work while watching the river and the ducks and geese. Tammy got to build another fire and roast marshmallows and the dogs enjoyed running the area.
The whole time we are living, we are looking at others and watching so we get more ideas on what things we will need when we hit the road. This was the first use of the Dish on the Go and Wally. It worked as advertised and Tammy was happy she had to watch the Walking Dead. We saw a neighbor with a portable fence. We thought a great idea for the dogs, so we ordered from Amazon for around 100. two sections and were fenced.
The whole time we are living, we are looking at others and watching so we get more ideas on what things we will need when we hit the road. This was the first use of the Dish on the Go and Wally. It worked as advertised and Tammy was happy she had to watch the Walking Dead. We saw a neighbor with a portable fence. We thought a great idea for the dogs, so we ordered from Amazon for around 100. two sections and were fenced.