One More Summer Trip with the Grands

bigben · 08-21-2018, 01:55 AM

This is our 4th time at spending the summer with our 37TB filled with grandkids and towing our 2013 Ford Explorer. This summer for almost 2 months, we traveled 6600+ miles through 17 states, 6 national parks, torrential rain, forest fires and 5 grandkids eating some significant meals. And we loved it!! (Grands ages - 2 are 13, 2 are 12 and 1 is 11.)

Only real issue was the large radiator hose with 3 appendage side hoses as it began to seep and once home needed to be replaced.

What a glorious time and lots of 1000 watt smiles we had with the 7 of us. Don't know what next summer holds - all of us are getting a bit older (DW and I are hovering around 70) - but based on comments from our traveling grands, they are ready to go.

So as my wife and I reflect back at our movement into the large RV family, after more than 25,000 miles and months over the course of the last 4 summers spent sharing our great country with our grands - we are once again positive that our lives have been enriched beyond measure from our meanderings in our coach.

We have been truly blessed.

**revjeffrey** · 08-21-2018, 02:07 AM

How Awesome is That ! They will be playing those trips back in their memories 4 ever! What a Great Gift. Next year just think of the smiles and start packing up.

Larry · 08-21-2018, 02:09 AM

Glad you had such a great trip and summer enjoyment recording those memories. Hope there are lots more for you guys in the future.

JamieGeek · 08-21-2018, 11:45 AM

That is great! Travel with them as much as you can before they turn into that thing known as "moody teenagers" and won't want to go anywhere anymore...

Don't ask me how I know LOL..(Although it is probably very different being grandparents vs parents ! )

jpmihalk · 08-21-2018, 11:48 AM

I have a 1000 watt smile just reading that!

bigben · 08-21-2018, 12:45 PM

We went to our larger Class A in April 2015. Since that time we've traveled 52,000+ miles plus - hanging out with 5 of our 17 grands in the summer and living in Key West in the winter (we have come to really dislike cold weather). As a lot of fellow Thor owners know, we've run into some "snags" with our coach. None of these have kept us from enjoying our meanderings. (Note: this forum and help from fellow Thor Forum Peeps have helped us minimize effects of "snags". Many Many Thanks)

We've seen youngest daughter graduate with her Nursing Master while sharing our coach with her and 2 of her kids (these are one of the 13 year olds and the 11 year from the summer).

We've relocated our coach to sponsor a family birthday picnic for my 97 year old mother-in-law. Cooked hamburgs and hot dogs for 45 people on Roadmaster grill.

Just plain meandered with the two of us at least a couple of months per year - visiting family and friends from the heartland to both coasts.

We've done all this while maintaining our brick and mortar home. We are often asked if we'd go full time and respond that 8-9 months per year suits us just fine.

We realize we've been blessed with good health and past careers that provide us resources to enjoy our RV lifestyle. But anyone contemplating the move in an RV, think about 1000 watt smiles - we sure do.

Chance · 08-21-2018, 01:27 PM

Priceless

The Gritz Carlton · 08-21-2018, 01:38 PM

Another silent, "self-directive"...how many times did you say quietly to yourself..."I'm so glad I bought a huge coach"?

Larry · 08-21-2018, 01:51 PM

Wonderful! Now that’s what I call really enjoying the RV lifestyle to the upmost.

bigben · 08-21-2018, 04:20 PM

Every time I am in it!! We dry canp several weeks each year. The onboard fresh/gray/black water capacity are essential for us.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

Another silent, "self-directive"...how many times did you say quietly to yourself..."I'm so glad I bought a huge coach"?

rmahony49 · 08-30-2018, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigben

This is our 4th time at spending the summer with our 37TB filled with grandkids and towing our 2013 Ford Explorer. This summer for almost 2 months, we traveled 6600+ miles through 17 states, 6 national parks, torrential rain, forest fires and 5 grandkids eating some significant meals. And we loved it!! (Grands ages - 2 are 13, 2 are 12 and 1 is 11.)

Only real issue was the large radiator hose with 3 appendage side hoses as it began to seep and once home needed to be replaced.

What a glorious time and lots of 1000 watt smiles we had with the 7 of us. Don't know what next summer holds - all of us are getting a bit older (DW and I are hovering around 70) - but based on comments from our traveling grands, they are ready to go.

So as my wife and I reflect back at our movement into the large RV family, after more than 25,000 miles and months over the course of the last 4 summers spent sharing our great country with our grands - we are once again positive that our lives have been enriched beyond measure from our meanderings in our coach.

We have been truly blessed.

We have our motorhome just 1 year now. We made four trips this summer with our two grandchildren. One of the best summers ever.

You may also like: