Juneau County Wilderness Park - June/July, 2024

June ended and July began with a return trip to an old favorite park - Juneau County Wilderness Park on Lake Petenwell, near Necedah, WI. For the past few years, I went with my friends John and Marcy for John's birthday. This, of course, would be my first camp in the ARRRV instead of a car and hammock. I would be staying for 6 nights, whereas they were for a few days, and maybe a few other friends visiting at over the weekend. So the trip would be a mix of hanging out by the lake and campfires with friends, and working until the 4th of July long weekend.

It was quite windy once John and Marcy got there, so less paddleboarding and hanging out in the water than previous years. However, the advantage of wind is it keeps the bugs down, and they can usually be pretty bad there. This meant we got nice campfires each night.

Door County - June, 2024

The plan for the next week was 3 nights camping at Peninsula State Park near Fish Creek, WI (Door County) and 2 nights at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in the UP of Michicagn. However, a full day of driving the RV convinced me that the drive between Peninsula and Pictured Rocks would be quite long for just 2 nights (and really 1 day of activities) at Pictured Rocks, so I decided to cancel that leg and extend my state at Peninsula by a day (I swear the math works out somehow....).

Along the way to Door County, we stopped to visit my other aunt for brunch at the Lighthouse Inn on Lake Michigan in Two Rivers. One of my constant concerns is that I'll be able to find somewhere I can park, but got very lucky that I was able to find a spot in their lot where I wouldn't be blocking too many spaces. Brunch was very nice and a good chance to visit with my aunt. It was a hotel restaurant, which usually don't impress me. However, there was a burger with pepperjack cheese curds and a beer cheese sauce on it, and I did really enjoy the toppings on the burger. I think the main highlight of the restaurant is that it's right on Lake Michigan.

After brunch, I finished the drive up to Door County, which was a nice drive along Highway 42 which somewhat follows along Lake Michigan. By late afternoon, I got to Peninsula State Park and checked in. Also, the park has a wonderful 4 lane sanitary dump station - 10/10, would highly recommend dumping there! Once camp was set up, we had a nice campfire and cookout for the evening. My mom and Steve, my aunt, my cousin and her family were all joining for the trip, so it was nice to spend the time camping with family. My Starlink decided to act up and not work, which was quite a pain considering cell connectivity is limited in Door County.

The next day we went for a hike in the park that took up most of the morning and early afternoon. We arrived at the main beach (Nicolet) in the park, and there was internet connectivity. Since I needed to get some work done during the week, I really needed to resolve my Starlink issues, so I went back to my campsite to work on them. Furthermore, my ability to travel to remote locations depends on having internet access so I can work. Luckily, now I was able to get Starlink working again - just some dirt on the cable that prevented the dish from functioning correctly. A little brushing later and I was connected - phew! After that, we headed back to Nicolet Bay for some kayaking before the wind and waves picked up. Once again, the evening ended with a campfire and cookout.

The next day was the final day for the whole group camping together in Door County. We decided we'd explore the Door County Peninsula a bit. Our first stop was just up the road in Sister Bay at Al Johnson's. The usual highlight there (in addition to it being a nice, although touristy, Swedish restaurant) is the goats on the roof. Unfortunately, it stormed and rained a bunch the night before, so the goats weren't out due to the wet and hot conditions.

After that, we headed to Door Bluff Headlands County Park. This was a recommendation, but none of us had been there before, so we weren't quite sure what to expect. As usual, I was in flip flops, and expecting a short hike in a county park. However, what we found was more like a hike in a state park that went on about 45 minutes each way though not super smooth trails. We did get some nice views and had a nice hike, but I don't think it was one of my favorites worth returning to.

Lunch would be at the Cana Island Lighthouse on the other side of the Peninsula (just north of Bailey's Harbor). Though technically an island, you can walk to it if you're willing to get your feet splashed a little. We had a nice picnic lunch, saw the lighthouse, and then hiked around the island a bit (more of the hike I was expecting at the Door Bluff Headlands County Park).

Our final stop with everyone was Cave Point County Park, near Whitefish Dunes State Park (you can actually hike between the 2 parks). We had a nice hike along Lake Michigan until the wind died down, the temperatures rose, and the biting flies went crazy. After that we said goodbye to my cousin and her family, leaving just my mom, Steve, my aunt, and myself.

It was a hot summer afternoon, so we headed out in search of ice cream (or frozen custard). The first place we tried was closed (very odd - this was the second time in a row this happened as the ice cream stand at Nicolet Bay beach was also closed the day before). While I was driving, mom was in charge of picking the ice cream/custard location in Fish Creek based on reviews. We decided on Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard. It was an excellent choice - great frozen custard and a really enjoyable setting with Fish Creek (the actual body of water) flowing right past you. We returned to camp, rested a bit, and reassembled for our final campfire and cookout. After dinner we caught the sunset from a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan.

My mom, Steve, and my aunt all left early in the morning for Pictured Rocks. I toyed with the idea of biking in the park and spending some time at the beach, but there was a constant threat of rain, so I spent the day cleaning and organizing the ARRRV. Also, I decided to relax and rest since the next day was a travel day, and those are pretty exhausting.

I got up in the morning, tore down camp, and headed back to the deluxe sanitary dump station before heading on my way.

I got an interesting request to do some research about a music venue from my parrothead trop rock friend Kirstie Kraus. She was going to be playing a show at the Smashed on the Rocks Saloon in Algona, WI, but hadn't heard much from them and didn't know much about the venue, so I was on a mission to scope it out. Also, I heard they had really nice bloody maries, so I figured I could squeeze in some research on those too. When I got to Algoma, I found a nice street parking spot and decided not to pass it by, even though I had a bit of a walk to Smashed on the Rocks Saloon. I got a little walk around Algoma, which seems like a fun little town, before I found the restaurant.

I was immediately impressed with Smashed on the Rocks - it had a great tropical vibe and would be awesome for Kirstie's show. Unfortunately, they don't do the crazy bloody maries during the week, so I opted for a burger instead. I had a really enjoyable lunch outside overlooking the water while giving Kirstie the rundown about the venue for her upcoming show.

After lunch, it was time to get back on the road to my destination for the upcoming week, Juneau County Wilderness Park near Necedah on Lake Petenwell, with stops for gas and groceries along the way. Timing worked great and I arrived with just enough time to set up before dark.

Muskego - June, 2024

The next week began with uncertainty of plans for the day. I would be traveling a few hours south towards Muskego, WI, but my camping reservation wasn't for another day, so I needed to figure out where I'd stay. I figured I'd work that out when I got there.

Along the drive was Lake Winnebago, and of course CMAR is a Winnebago, so I needed to stop there to visit the lake. Arrival and parking was relatively easy, Menominee Park in Oshkosh had ample street parking large enough to fit the ARRRV. I stepped out without any real plans other than to walk around and explore a bit. I soon realized that there was a fishing tournament ending as I got there, and they were calling out results. This also meant that there was food at the tournament for lunch, so I stopped by and got a burger with brisket on it - a pretty nice find!

Leaving Oshkosh wasn't as easy as arriving. I have 2 GPS navigation systems - Google Maps on my phone as well as a Garmin that has information about my ARRRV to make sure I'm not attempting to go on any routes that I can't (size or weight limits, for example). Due to the traffic from the fishing tournament ending and redirecting traffic, and both RVs disagreeing about the route, it was quite an ordeal getting out of town and headed back south, but eventually I managed.

I'd figured out some of my plans for the evening - dinner at Texas de Brazil Churascarria and then grocery shopping at Woodmans, and hopefully they'd let me park there overnight. I made it about halfway and realized I'd be early for dinner, so stopped at a rest stop for a quick nap. That's an awesome part about the moving home - bed is always less than 30 feet away!

I got to Texas de Brazil and we had a nice dinner for my friend Bob's birthday.

After that, I headed to Woodmans. I found a nice parking spot at the far end of the parking lot, near the electric vehicle parking against a cart coral. I checked with customer service, let them know I'd just bought a lot of gas and would be stocking up on groceries, and inquiring if I could park for the evening - and thankfully they said it wouldn't be a problem.

This spring has been constant rain and storms in Wisconsin, and it continued while I was here. Luckily, the ARRRV keeps me safe and dry. Once I woke up, I was ready to head out to Muskego County Park where I'd spend the next week, only a short trip away. Of course, as soon as I got ready to go and on the road it started storming again.

I arrived at the park well before checkin, so parked in the overflow lot of the campground while I explored a bit. The original plans were for my mom and her husband Steve to arrive that evening and stay for the week. Unfortunately, they ran into some travel delays and wouldn't arrive until the following day. Since my site was vacated, I moved in and set up for the week.

During the daytime, I worked each day. Evenings were time for visiting with family and friends. The first night, my mom and Steve arrived and set up camp, and my aunt came to visit as well. We grilled chicken sandwiches and ended the evening with a trip to Culvers for frozen custard. The next 2 days were visiting family friends, first just down the road, and the second for a cookout at our campsites. It was my first real cooking adventure in the ARRRV - using the Instant Pot to cook a 12.5 pound pork shoulder butt. After that I had an evening off to catch up on work. Friday I worked early in the day and then finished with a family cookout at my aunt's.

My original plan was to leave Muskego Park on Saturday, even though I didn't need to head to my next destination until Sunday. My plan was to drive about halfway and find somewhere to park there. Unfortunately, the forecast called for severe weather where I'd be driving and staying, so I opted to stay in Muskego another day, just moving sites for the night.

The extra day turned out to be quite a stressful and frustrating day full of RV issues. Several appliances/systems were acting up, and there might have been a little mishap between the ARRRV and a sign post. Luckily, I just had the day off and was able to deal with most of them.

The next morning was time to get on the road early to head towards the next adventure!

Waupaca - June, 2024

My first big adventure in the ARRRV!

My original plan was to spend my first week at a county park close to Madison so I could settle in and adjust. That didn't even last until it started. A few weeks before moving in, my parrothead trop rock friend Christopher Dale mentioned he was playing in Waupaca, so we worked out plans where I could visit.

I found a nice little campground just outside of Waupaca, the Waupaca Smore Fun Campground. It was in a really nice location just 3 miles of very easy biking from the city where Christopher was playing. I got to the site and set up camp. The next 3 days would be busy and fun-filled after working during the days.

Wednesday there was a concert at a nice venue right on the water. I met up with Christopher and his hosts for dinner. Afterwards we headed to the concert and caught Copper Box. Overall, a very enjoyable evening.

On Thursday, Christopher Dale was playing a Unity in he Community block party. The location was great, just across the street from his hosts, who became my new Waupaca friends, Henry and Lorinda. The block party was sponsored by the Waupaca Piggly Wiggly who provided and grilled brats - thanks! There were tons of brats, so as we lingered and socialized after the concert we had a steady supply of brats (as well as Spotted Cows) to keep us going. A wonderful early-summer evening!

Friday marked my first week living in the ARRRV. Christopher was nice enough to deliver lunch from the really awesome Sulten Belly restaurant. He raved about their sandwiches, and they did not disappoint. After I finished working, it was time to head out for a night on the town in Waupaca. It was National Old Fashioned Day, and Brandy Old Fashioneds with Fish Fries are kind of the thing to do in Wisconsin on Friday nights. Our first stop was Simpson's Supper Club for our first round of Old Fashioneds. Then we went to a classier cocktail bar, for more old fashioneds of course. After that, Henry had to leave for another engagement. Our next was a total Wisconsin dive bar, complete with another old fashioned and a PBR. After that, we returned to Simpson's for our fish fry. The final stop was another cocktail bar, with an entire page of different old fashioneds on their menu. Finally, time to call it a night and bike home so that I could depart Waupaca the next morning.

Token Creek - June, 2024

My first few days in the RV were somewhere I'd already tested out and was comfortable with - Token Creek County Park in Dane County, WI. I was only here for 2 nights - one to settle in, and another with a small campfire gathering for a few friends before I left town. It was also my first days working from the ARRRV.

Madison Boondocking - June, 2024

It's finally time to move out of my apartment and into the RV full-time!

There really wasn't a lot glorious about these first few days since I was mostly finishing moving and then getting ready to move in. I parked on the street right by my old house/apartment so I could finish moving, and just used it for sleeping in overnight. It was nice that I was able to hang out with my friends John and Marcy without having to go far to see them.

Before I left Madison, I stopped by the Fools Floatilla and Marquette Waterfront Festival.

On the way out of town was a trip to storage to drop off/swap out a few things. My plan is to keep the storage in Madison for a while, storing things I'll probably want later. I'll figure out a long term solution later. After that was some groceries for the first week and then onto my first real camping adventure while living in it!

Lake Kegonsa State Park, Stoughton, WI - May 2024

This was another weekend trip to test out the RV, this time without any hookups.

The highlights of this trip were having some friends visit. Mark and Ann visited in the afternoon.

In the evening, Bob, Eric, and Henry stopped by for a campfire and s'mores.

Most of the rest of the time was spent cleaning and organizing the RV, including removing EVERYTHING from the basement storage compartments and putting it in more logical locations.

Overall, another successful test trip!