Us, Three Dogs & an RV

Tales, experiences and tools of the trade, for RVer's.

[us3dogsandanrv]

Our 1st RV Show

Freaking Awesome!!! (I’m Yelling here!)  This was by far one of the coolest things I have done.  We got up early, worked out, grabbed some lottery tickets, so that way we could afford a new RV, and then headed to St. Louis for the 2018 RV Show.  

What a blast!  There were dealers there from the Region with tons of RV’s to choose from.  We browsed some Class C’s, Vans, and some other 5th Wheels.  In fact, at this point we were getting pretty hot about a Momentum.  This baby had front living with surround sound, not that I jam or anything.  There was a kitchen with an abundant amount of storage... Groovy.  Then the bedroom was rocking too.  Now it had a queen bed that was raised pretty high and I would have preferred a king, because all my fur babies have to sleep with us.  Then.... the piece-of-resistance!  The toy hauler area located in the back.  This sucker was tight!  The bed can raise and it would give more room for toys.  We were getting a little weird about it.  There may have been heart emojis coming from our eyes and there may have been some drool... but nothing too crazy.  Drink time!

So, after a refreshment, we moved on to checking out some class A’s.  {Lub Dub, Lub Dub}  We looked at buses from Byerly, Midwest and Apache.  All of the dealers were more than experienced, knowledgeable and very friendly.  There were thousands of people milling around, so that says something for those agents.  I have entered the websites to those RV dealers that helped us, if you are interested.

https://www.byerlyrv.com/

https://www.mwrvcenter.com/

https://www.apachevillagerv.com/

We fell in love today with a Class A from Byerly.  It was a Tiffin Motorhome.  A 2018 Allegro Red 37 BA.  There was room for a couple kayaks, under the rig.  {Lub Dub}  Then the inside.... oh my goodness.  {Lub Dub, Lub Dub}  Let me start with the cockpit.  Plush, buttery leather captain chairs, with a passenger seat that reclines, so you can view the TV while in transit, four cameras for video monitoring during lane exchange, navigation and even a window low on the passenger door, for puppies to look out during the drive. :)  The rest of the rig was beautiful and perfect for what we wanted.  You can find one too at:

https://tiffinmotorhomes.com/allegro-red

By the end of our day, we did not purchase an RV.  We are still talking about it, but we held our pocketbooks firmly and said NO. 

So, our first day was delightful.  I would totally suggest any RV newbie to go to an RV show.  It was highly insightful.  There is less buyer stress, because this is a time to look, without feeling obligated.  Also, it so much better to see things in person.  I don’t know about you, buy hub and I watch RV TV shows and we window shop the internet for different styles.  Doing this little RV trip, allowed us to be able to step inside something we normally would not even try to.  The salesmen and manufacturers educated us on so many different intricacies from the engine, transmission, electric, water heater, generator use and towing capacities.  

Do it soon!  It is totally worth it! :)

[us3dogsandanrv]

The Day That Changed Our Lives

So, I revealed the big win during the last post, but you have no idea how that happened.  Yes we purchased an RV that day, in beautiful Arnold, Missouri, with our favorite salesman, Rey, at Midwest RV.  We met Rey that day and he was very helpful.  It was really a god send that we went there.  

We looked at a few RV’s that our 1500 Silverado would pull and ended up getting a 28ft 5th wheel.  Cougar with rear kitchen, to be more specific.  Ahhhhh... we loved that thing.  We took two trips to a nearby town and were even chaperoned by two great friends!  Thank goodness! 

As the story goes, after the second camp out, we took off to lovely Colorado.  We stayed at a gas station...  Yes.. Yes... a Pilot.  It was awesome!  The next day we made it to Limon, Co and stayed at a KOA there.  Super nice people.  We woke the next day and trekked through the mountains, Denver, Vaile and the Eisenhower Tunnel, then all the way to Grand Junction!  There we stayed at another KOA a couple miles from Monument National Park.  The view around that camp was amazing.  The KOA was well kept and beautiful.  We met some pretty amazing campers there too.  

Monument National Park had some of the best trails to ride or hike!  We ran across a few different critters and met some fellow hikers, who had some interesting stories.  We ended up staying in Grand Junction for approximately 5 days, to get in all the trails and sites to see.  The next night we stayed at a state park campsite that was directly on the Colorado River.  There were mountains surrounding us and Lord All Mighty, was it a site to behold!  No cell service though.  The next day we drove up the Grand Mesa and I may have had a slight freak out.  I was driving, so that I could be in control, then it would be okay.  NAH!  Not at all what happened.  It was a beautiful day, about 78 degrees at the bottom of the mountain, then as we entered the clouds, the road was winding really, really tight and there were rock slides and before we knew it, it was 32 degrees and snowing.  The road was getting slick and I came around a corner... all I could see was the sky and a sign that read “Extreme winds, drive safely.” About that time, I stopped the car and freaked out... I mean a total melt down.  Luckily my wonderful hubby took the wheel and drove us back down the mountain.  I am so glad I married that man.... my warrior!  

So, we made it to Kansas the next day and home the following.  I would very much recommend Colorado.  We would like to go back soon.  We were thinking Estes Park!  Our son and his girlfriend, at the time, but now wife, went snow shoeing there and had a great time!  

The next big trip happened in the Fall of 2017, but we did stop by and saw Rey after we got back from Colorado.  Be prepared for that story!  The things we do!  #CrazyCampers #welovetocamp

[us3dogsandanrv]

How this all started

Hey Hey Hey!  My husband and I were apparently getting 💤 with our wonderful vacations to Florida and New Orleans.  We always went to a beautiful spot, in a great condo, and had a great time.  We also spent a freaking arm and a leg!  We are business folk, so we usually hire people to do things like repair things around the 🏠 and anything else that requires difficult labor, like setting up an RV and emptying the black tank!  So, what the hell were we thinking.  We are not good at it…… or so we thhhhooouuggghhttt.  

So, in March we decided that to step things up a bit and take a trip out to Colorado!  Oh yeah!  Colorado.  Neither of us have been past KC, MO.  Say whattt???!  Yep.  So, lets do it on a budget he says…. I say how about an RV rental?  Final vote (🥁 roll).  We went to a two-bit RV rental shop and it was interesting.

The rides were terrible.  Really.  Stinky, dirty, disgusting.  NOW… don’t think that all facilities are like this.  Because they are not!  Since then we have found some dealers that rent some wicked RV’s.  But, apparently the stars were aligned and wanted us to buy, buy, buy, 👶 bye bye bye…. bye bye!  Thank you Justin!  

So, we decided immediately that this was a sign and we planned to visit an RV shop the next weekend.  Biting your nails yet?  Well, don’t.  We get 2 RV’s!!!!

😂!  I am serious…. but the explanation is worth the time.  Join me soon for the next phase in our epic rv story.