We Aim To Slay

It’s hard to believe that my mom and I have been home from our first trip in our camper for nearly two weeks, but we’re already planning next summer’s road trip! 

Stacey has been talking about getting a camper for years, and for many reasons, and it’s been so rewarding to watch her make her dream come true! After months of research, and a trip to the Camping World Expo, she selected the Coleman 13B! We traveled up to Camping World in Kingston, New York, and mere days later we were on the road!

What I Packed!

Similar to last week’s post , it was imperative that I packed in the most logical way possible – something that I have always struggled with! And to my surprise, I actually did a really good job this time! I packed everything into one duffle bag, and was able to pack all of Dante’s items into one weekender bag!

All of my preferred skin care I packed into a small travel kit to keep close at hand during the drive itself, and I didn’t pack any makeup. Hair-wise, I intended on braiding my hair prior to leaving. I got halfway into the process before time I got away from me – starting the journey with my hair blown out and in  bubble braids that didn’t make it through the drive from Connecticut to Florida (but did last for about 4 days/nights in total via sleeping with a bonnet!). Because I anticipated having my hair in a protective style, I didn’t pack much in terms of styling products, only the Love Ur Curls All-In-One Styler and the Volumizing Foam. For cleansing, I packed the Love Ur Curls Step 1 Shampoo and Step 2 Conditioner, as well as the Briogeo Don’t Despair…Repair! Masque.

And in terms of clothing, shoes, and accessories I focused on athletic wear and athleisure, selecting sets from Astoria Activewear and Rebel Athletics, several bathing suits, long sleeves and leggings in case we went hiking, a pair of sandals, sneakers, and my trusted Doc Martens boots.

And as always, I packed my Le Mini Macaron kit in order to update my nails while away. Without even realizing what I was doing, I attempted to paint my nails one morning and ended up curing my favorite LMM shade in the bottle while working! After reaching out to the brand, they were super helpful and even offered to replace the shade free of charge!

Traveling With Our Dogs!

For all the pet parents who like to travel with their fur-babies, I’ve organized all of my go-to items into one space, make sure to check out my Benable list, “Doggie Must Haves,” so you can find the exact products!

Dante, my (nearly) two-year-old Pitbull/Black Labrador mix, has been traveling with me for the last year. As his age and breeds indicate, he needs and enjoys vigorous activity! I brought all of the things we would need to go on long hikes through the forest, but with the tropical heat wave we experienced, we didn’t go hiking once! Instead, our group opted for frequent, short walks around the campgrounds, with ample opportunities to cool off in the AC and drink lots of water!

Whenever I’m getting Dante ready for vacation I make sure to pack:

Two harnesses, one that slips over his head and helps decrease pulling and one that buckles more like a vest. Both of his harnesses also include a handle on his back, which is one of the only ways to get him out of the water! Two leashes, a standard leash with a padded handle, and a hands-free leash that buckles around my waist – a gift from my mom that has truly changed my and Dante’s hiking experience! When traveling I always measure out and prepackage his food as individual servings and include two additional meals just in case. I always bring his bed and blanket from home, also using them during the drive to line the backseat dog carrier, in order to ensure a smooth transition from our home environment to our vacation location. And lastly, I like to bring a few of his favorite toys and some of his favorite bones and treats! 

Traveling In The Camper!

If you’ve read W.A.T.S., in the past, you’ll remember that I have driven from my home state of Connecticut to Florida several times – a 1,200 mile drive that usually takes us about two days to complete, including stopping for fuel, food, and to walk the dogs. 

Unlike our previous trips we left on a weekday, covering so much ground that we were able to stop early for the night – our first time sleeping in the camper! – at Midpoint RV Park in Latta, South Carolina! This location offered pull-through spots with full hook-up (electric, water, and sewer), and while we only utilized the electric at this location, it soon became clear that sleeping in the camper was quite comfortable! This was the first time that both dogs would be in the camper, and they both adjusted really well and quickly!

On the trip back home, we stopped for one night at Camp Pedro at South of the Border, a resort that we pass every time we make the drive. Similar to Midpoint, Camp Pedro offered pull-through spots with full hook-up, and again, we utilized electricity and water. After a relaxing morning we packed back up and got on the road! 

As this was our first trip in the camper, there were a few things that we didn’t realize we would need when we set out, such as a hose! Useful to refill the water tank in the camper as well as the inflatable pool we ended up buying to keep Dante cool and occupied. Like I said, we were staying in a state forest, so ample bug repellent was a necessity for us as well as the dogs! 

And this may seem obvious, but remember to empty out your camper refrigerator before driving – otherwise you’ll find your leftovers all over the floor. Luckily, our mess was mostly leftover salads and the mess didn’t get into our laundry or on our beds!

A Week at Clear Water Lake!

Once we arrived at our vacation location – Clear Water Lake Recreation in Paisley, Florida – we quickly set up our generator and campsite! For that week we would be doing what is nown as “boondocking,” defined by Road Trippers Magazine as “dispersed camping on public land,” and explains that dispersed camping is “camping outside of a designated campground, on lands that are managed for this purpose. You’ll find a durable surface to park your rig or pitch your tent, but little else.”

We were visiting Florida in the middle of a tropical heat wave and the off-season, so we were only one of two campsites being used!

Clear Water Lake had a ton to offer such as hiking trails (which we didn’t utilize due to the heat), and the lake that the area is named for – where we ended up spending the majority of the trip! Unfortunately, dogs weren’t allowed by the lake, because I know Dante would have loved it! 

We swam, tried kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and I even brought my surfskate to get some practice!

What I Wish We Knew Ahead of Time

We were in Florida in the middle of a heat wave, in an area where the dogs were not allowed in the natural bodies of water. Because we were in a forest we saw several herds of deer, and with deer come ticks – a quick way to put your dog at risk. My mom and I both prefer to use Seresto brand collars but we were still pulling ticks off of the dogs (and off of our own legs) daily.

Luckily our camper had an AC unit because the dogs ended up needed several cool-down breaks! And, if you’ve seen my social media, you’ll have noticed that Dante loves the water – I erred in not packing his kiddie pool (a hard plastic one I got him last summer), and we ended up having to go buy him one; but his doggie bestie, my mom’s dog Mylee, HATES the water! So we had to keep an even closer eye on her to make sure she didn’t over heat

What Do You Think?

Have you ever traveled via camper? Share your thoughts below, I’d love to hear about your experience! And if you haven’t, have I convinced you to give it a try? Let me know what you think!

I’ll be back next week to share some Creative & Easy Hairstyles – Vacation Edition!

Have a great rest of your week, and remember to SLAY!