Due to graduations, family and other events this year, we aren’t able to get out of town for any long RV trips. So in January, I tried signing up for a campsite at the Elks Lodge campground in Show Low. I didn’t call immediately after New Years, so they were booked by the time I did call. But they did put us on the waiting list.

Our plan B, which has been our plan A for years, was to go camping up north to escape the heat when not traveling cross country. So it’s plan B since we didn’t get a seasonal campsite in Northern Arizona.

To our surprise, we got a call from the Elks Lodge in April that they had some cancelations, and we were next on the list. Our 2023 plan A was back in play! Now we get to keep the RV up in the cool north woods, escape the heat, and come home as needed for the various family and other events.

I finished my 3D printing projects before Easter but had two immediate laser engraving projects, so I brought that paraphernalia and finished the first project during our first week in camp. I have a few more projects in the pipe, so I’ll leave the laser at the RV rather than my hot garage back home. The 3D Printer and CNC Laser has become my remote work career in retirement. If the schedules weren’t under my control, I would not have picked this as a pass time. Im glad I’ve discovered hobbies that can travel with me.

We’ve met a few people at the campground but haven’t gotten into any social gatherings other than Wing Wednesday, Fish Friday, and various games at the lodge. But I am really enjoying being able to spend the day outside without baking in Phoenix heat. On the second day, I learned I needed to buy sunscreen before I became a lobster.

Now that we’ve gotten settled in, I also hope to do a few boondocking trips with friends over the summer. This “should” work out easier than past years since we will always be road ready. The other part I’m looking forward to is getting to our favorite summer boondocking locations less than 60 miles away and no 7% grades to climb.