Dessert 1st: Non-boating summer

C

Casey

New member
Dessert 1st is "on the hard" for the summer. We struck the Bimini and installed the cover a couple of days ago, and installed some "DampRid" containers, so she's ready for a summer of 'retirement.

After last year's Adventure up the ICW we've opted for a non-boating summer this year.

We plan to depart from The Villages in about mid-May and head North in the pickup for the summer. Destination: NovaScotia, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island. Last year we certainly enjoyed the boating and flew back to FL to retrieve the truck/trailer. Then we "boaterhomed" back through NH/VT/ME and southward. It was enjoyable, but we found there were many small towns we wanted to stop and explore, but having the boat/trailer kind of limited our options, so this year we'll travel 'lighter.

The truck (F150) has a cab level cap on the back and we've fabricated a "sleeping platform" for our air mattresses and sleeping bags. A convenional motorhome or ClassB would be more comfortable but we're hoping this arrangement will suffice. Stay tuned. The "platform" rests partially on the wheel wells (limits headroom, but give gives storage beneath) and has large pull-out storage bins beneath. A couple of test runs indicate the idea is workable - but the jury is still 'out on this being a solution for a few months. (We're also taking a large tent to use when we're in campgrounds for a few days ... and we'll no doubt use some motels/AirBnB's along the way.)

The other ambition for the summer is for Mary to play "Pickleball" here and there along the way. She has become a true pickleball addict. Mary has already played in some tournaments and has even become an official pickleball referee. Next week we travel to Naples (FL) for the very first pickleball "Open" with over 600 competitors from all over the US and some international player's. Our goal is for Mary to play pickleball in all fifty states (not ALL this year!), and for that naturally she'll need a driver and cheerleader; that's my role. :-)

Next year we'll probably be back to boating, but for this summer we're ashore!

Best,
Casey&Mary
 
Have a great adventure! We have bought ourselves a little R-Pod trailer for those kinds of trips as well, it also has a head and a shower. Look forward to hearing about the trip.
 
Hi Casey and Mary,

If the sleeping platform doesn't work for you, take a look at the popup truck campers by Four Wheel Camper and All Terrain Camper. The shell models are very light weight, have minimal wind resistance, and can be configured to your needs. With a shell model, you also retain much of the storage in the truck bed, so it's pretty versatile.

Have fun on the trip!

Steve
 
I had a bed kit in one of my trucks when i was younger. Susan had one in her old toyota during college. I have sleeped and camped with that set up many nights and was just fine. of course I was used to sleeping on the ground back then too.

You want to spend you money on a good foam pad topper to make it work. I used to go fishing with my grandfather and he had a door laid sideways across the bed of his truck next tot he cab. I sleeped on that as a kid a lot.

for a little more comfort and less price then a camper / pop up try a car top tent
 
We had a great time playing Pickleball in Arizona, and are trying to find a Pickleball court around here. Sounds like a fun trip, I could probably "rough it" for a road trip like that, but Patty is into a little comfort these days!
 
We are renting a two bedroom house in Narragansett, RI from May 21-28. Would love company if you wish to stop by for a visit. We will be right on the water.

Our Toyota Tundra pickup has a slide-in conversion bed kit gifted to us by C-Brat Jim States. It is comfy and we have spent many a night there while cruising ashore. You will enjoy camping in state parks, with beautiful scenery all around.

Have a fine trip and hope to see you -- we can share a sundowner on the deck remembering good times together.
 
Have a fun trip Gander Nfl is ready for you! Your US $ will surprise you how far it goes. Enjoy the run, we're doing a combo summer June/July in Southern Interior BC lakes then 5 weeks in Ireland mooching about drinking Guiness
George
 
In '02 we took our "pop-top" camper to Labrador, New Foundland (pronounced "NewFund-lnd or often just called "the Rock"), and the Maritime provinces. It was 3 months plus and 19,000 miles, our longest trip ever. We spent 3 weeks on the "Rock" and loved it. The coastal roads have rock quarries where they dug rock for the roads. Now they are informal camp sites: "rock pit camping". They get you down out of the wind. We were in late August -early September after most tourists had left and found the residents really nice. Our fondest camping memory.

Nova Socita didn't like campers in odd locations (outside of campgrounds), but we loved the Cape Breton Island kitchen dances. Check at a visitor center and they will have a list of the communities that are holding them and what days. We made our travel plans around them. Jigs, reels, step dancing, lots of fun.
 
Casey & Mary, hopefully you two will keep posting either here or on Facebook during your travels. We are thinking of heading to the same places in late August in our truck camper & your trip would provide good formation for us. Here's wishing you another spectacular adventure.

Jay & JoLee
 
That was an amazing journey last season,I too would probably take a season off after that many nights aboard. Enjoy your trip.Now im going to have to look up pickle ball.
 
Pickleball ( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickleball ) is somewhat like tennis but played on a half-size (?) court using a wiffle ball.

It's reputed to be the fastest growing sport in the US. Interestingly, it was first played in Bainbridge Island (WA) in 1965.

Mary finished her "referee" training and apprenticeship about a month ago. Yesterday she "reffed" several matches for 5.0 players here in The Villages Masters Tournament. VERY good players, and VERY fast. I watched....

Best,
C&M
:smiled
 
Great posts, fun and informative too. "The Rock" is one of my "bucket list" (I can't believe I just said that :oops: :roll: ) trips. And It may not be on the water. I'll be following this one too.

Wish you the best in travels and looking forward to your posts.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
 
Back
Top