RV Tailgating: It’s Not Just For Grownups!

Sophie’s 7^th birthday was last week, so I asked her what she’d like to do to celebrate. Sophie said she wanted to go to a football game! As you can imagine, Dad wholeheartedly backed that choice. Sally Ann was sure I had bribed Sophie into that request. I promise I didn’t!

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Since CenturyLink Field , the home of the Seattle Seahawks, is nearby, I thought we should make this a real experience for Sophie (and yes, for me) and take the Cougar for a birthday tailgate.

Sally Ann, Sophie and I loaded our Dometic Portable/Refrigerator Freezer  with our tailgating spread and headed to see Sophie’s new favorite team.

There’s some construction going on at CenturyLink field, so we were unable to park where RVs usually gather for the pre-game festivities, but we were able to park right in the shadow of the stadium…for $100. It didn’t take long for Sally Ann and Sophie to get tired of listening to me lament about the old days of parking at high school football games for $1. However, the opportunity to gather around fellow football fans and RV enthusiasts was worth every penny.

 Sally Ann was a little worried the tailgating area would be a little, as she put it, “rough and rowdy.” We were lucky to find an area where several other families had pitched their temporary camps. The couple next to us was longtime RV travelers and had been tailgating at Seahawks games since the late 70s, just after the Seahawks became an expansion team in the NFL. When they found out we were there celebrating Sophie’s birthday, they gave us a stuffed Seahawk plushie for Sophie. They would have given it to her themselves, but Sophie had taken all of 30 seconds once we arrived to find some other kids to toss around the football and generally run wild all around the RV area.

 We finally slowed Sophie down long enough for her to devour about half a hamburger before she wanted to play again with the group she’d met earlier. I’ve told you before that I’m no chef, but hamburgers are my specialty. No tailgate event is really underway until the smoke from the burgers begins to permeate the parking lot.  We gave Sophie the stuffed animal our neighbors passed along to her. Her response was a “that’s nice”, and we guided her to kindly thank the couple for the present. I was a little perplexed. I thought she would love having a toy mascot of her newfound favorite football team.

Tony Romo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As we went into the stadium for the kickoff between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks, I noticed that as soon as Tony Romo, the Dallas quarterback, ran onto the field, Sophie was standing and cheering. Sally Ann and I were mortified. I’m sure the people around us thought we were terrible fans… and worse parents!

I asked Sophie why she was cheering for the “other” team. She said, “I never said the Seahawks were my favorite. I like Dallas. That boy #9 (meaning Romo) is cute!” She had apparently seen him on TV recently and was excited that he was coming to town. She failed to share that little nugget of information with her parents.

 Sally Ann and I couldn’t help but laugh. We enjoyed the game and the fans in our section were luckily good-natured enough to encourage Sophie to keep cheering for “that boy” even though they were rooting hard for the home team.

 After the game, we made our way back to the Cougar while Sophie smiled all the way. She said “it was her best birthday ever.” That was worth the $100 parking fee. And more.

 By the way, this is also a birthday of sorts for this blog. It was September 2011 when the good folks at RV.com first allowed me to share my experiences with you. Let me know about some of your tailgating experiences in your RV this football season, and maybe I will share them right here!

 Catch ya next time!

 *Disclaimer: RV.com, which is owned by Dometic Corporation, sponsors My Own Nature. Neither Dometic Corporation, nor RV.com, provides this blogger with free Dometic products, and this blogger does not receive a commission on click-throughs from links on this blog to RV.com, Dometic.com, or any other site. All references made to product brands are made in an attempt to provide readers with the knowledge necessary to recreate the experiences mentioned in this blog.

Wildlife Safety 101

  One of the things I enjoy most about RVing is the opportunity to observe wildlife.  To me there is nothing so moving as to see a magnificent stag or the occasional bear in the wild.  I’ve had my fair share of encounters when my presence has come as a surprise to an animal just happening by.  In those situations, I’ve had the wherewithal to understand that they’re no more eager to have a run-in with me as I am to have one with them.  And, frankly, on occasion I’ve been just plain lucky that nothing happened.

Beautiful but dangerous. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

That’s why it amazed me recently when I heard a fellow RVer tell a story about running at a stag, flailing his arms and yelling, and seeing the stag turn tail and run.  This guy was actually proud of his behavior, and while I didn’t open my mouth, all I could think of at the time was “You are one lucky camper!  Foolish, but lucky!”  He’d probably never know what a chance he’d taken.                                                                             

Remembering that story, I recalled that I’ve wanted to write a little something about wildlife safety and how those who enjoy the great outdoors should deal with the creatures who live there.  I wouldn’t want you to get injured if you happen to come face-to-face with something wild that could hurt you.

Even cute critters can be harmful. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

And I guess that’s the point.  These creatures – the large ones, of course, but even the small, “cute,” seemingly harmless ones – are at the heart of it, wild.  Unfortunately, because we’ve grown up watching fairy tale fantasies and rosy-glow nature films on television, many people forget (or never knew in the first place) that wildlife can be dangerous.  So some rules apply that can help you stay safe in the outdoors.  And help the wildlife stay safe as well.

First and foremost, keep a respectful distance.  Any animal that is startled, surprised or feels trapped, can be unpredictable and dangerous.  There are all sorts of animals you share the wilderness with and it’s important to remember that you’re on their turf.  Depending on the species and the time of the season, they can be very territorial and aggressive (especially during mating season).  Bears, deer, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, wolves, bobcats and any of several dozen species are capable of real harm if confronted.  Steer a wide berth around them and keep downwind if possible.

This baby bear’s momma is sure to be close by. (Photo credit: Wizzer2801)

When it comes to animal offspring, don’t assume that because you see a baby, it’s been abandoned.  In fact, the chances are that one of the parents is nearby.  And most animal parents will react just as you would if someone messed with your child.  Leave them alone – they’ll be fine.

Don’t ever feed a wild animal.  You actually threaten their lives when you do.  If they lose their fear of humans, it can expose them – and you – to danger.  Remember, they’re unpredictable.  Keep your campsite clean, and put your food away.

Make sure small children are never left alone, even for a minute.  As hard as it is to say, an animal may regard your child as prey.  Being careful applies to how you protect your pets as well.

Never touch a wild animal.  They can carry diseases and parasites (like deer ticks) that can affect your health.  Even if you see an animal that you think might be orphaned, either leave it alone or contact a licensed rehabilitator.  They have the skills to make sure that a wild animal will be able to return to the wild.

Know your snakes.  There are four varieties of poisonous snakes in the United States – rattlesnakes, coral snakes, cottonmouths and copperheads.  Learn to recognize each and steer clear of all of them.

Now, I hope I haven’t scared you into enjoying your time in the outdoors only through the windshield of your RV.  Just use common sense.  A good rule of thumb is to keep your distance.  These wonderful animals – from the majestic to the small and humble – are simply doing what they were put here to do.  It’s good to remember that we are merely visitors in their home.

Catch ya next time!

*Disclaimer: RV.com, which is owned by Dometic Corporation, sponsors My Own Nature. Neither Dometic Corporation, nor RV.com, provides this blogger with free Dometic products, and this blogger does not receive a commission on click-throughs from links on this blog to RV.com, Dometic.com, or any other site. All references made to product brands are made in an attempt to provide readers with the knowledge necessary to recreate the experiences mentioned in this blog.

Giant Sequoia National Monument: Now That’s a Tree!

Some time ago, we planted a tree in our yard and when we did, I vaguely remembered a quote that had me searching the Internet to find its exact wording:  “A man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when he plants shade trees under which he knows full well he will never sit.”

A giant sequoia grove…WOW!

While I’m not ready to concede that I won’t be around to enjoy our little sapling’s future shade, it did get me to thinking about trees and longevity.  What better way to indulge that idea than to see some really spectacular trees.  I floated a trial balloon past Sally Ann that a fun vacation trip in our RV would be to the Giant Sequoia National Monument in California.  When I received the marital “go” signal from Sally Ann – usually that’s a slightly upturned corner of the mouth, a glint in her eye and a momentary up movement of the eyebrows – I began to research the trip.

The Giant Sequoia National Monument is part of the Sequoia National Forest, in south central California in the southern Sierra Nevada.  (Don’t ask me what the difference is between a National Park, a National Forest and a National Monument – I don’t know.  If anyone does, please let me know).  Giant Sequoia National Monument is divided into two sections, a Northern Portion and Southern Portion.  We decided to go to the Northern Portion.  When we told our six-year-old Sophie the plan, she was so excited it was difficult to calm her down.

We were in no hurry and made the trip from our home in Washington in four days. 

We set up camp in an area with no electricity but we have generator capability, so it was no problem and a trip like this is more about your surroundings than the amenities anyway. 

It’s hard to describe the impression you have when standing next to one of these giants.  They grow to more than 250 feet in height and it’s common to see them more than 20 feet in diameter, with many going wider than that!  The age of these trees is in excess of two thousand years.  I’d have to say all three of us spent entire days with our jaws hanging open in wonder. 

Not only can you marvel at the live trees but there are many stumps dating to when the last giant sequoias were felled before logging was stopped nearly a century ago.  The sight of the growth rings that tell the tale of the history of the  tree’s life is sobering.  I found myself pondering the concept that our time here is such a blink of an eye in comparison to these largest of living things.

As visually striking as the sight of a stand of sequoias is, I have to tell you that one of the things I enjoyed most about our time among them was the smell of the air in the forest.  There is a crisp, aromatic quality to it that is intoxicating and the perfect antidote, for me, to living in civilization.  I doubt that I’m alone in feeling that there is a sense of renewal in breathing it in and it’s one of the things that I enjoy most about our national parks (or forests or monuments or whatever you want to call them).  Strange, isn’t it, to have that feeling among something so ancient.

After a few more days and a few photos of us standing in front of the giant sequoias, we headed back home and took our time in the journey. 

When we pulled into our driveway and after we’d completed our unpacking routine, I walked over to check on the condition of our new sapling.  The trunk seemed to be a bit short of the twenty-foot diameter of the giant sequoias we’d seen a few days earlier but I think it’s doing fine.  Who knows, I may yet sit in the shade of its foliage.  I’m not planning on checking out anytime soon.

For more great places to visit, check out RV.com’s list of top 10 national monuments.

Catch ya next time!

*Disclaimer: RV.com, which is owned by Dometic Corporation, sponsors My Own Nature. Neither Dometic Corporation, nor RV.com, provides this blogger with free Dometic products, and this blogger does not receive a commission on click-throughs from links on this blog to RV.com, Dometic.com, or any other site. All references made to product brands are made in an attempt to provide readers with the knowledge necessary to recreate the experiences mentioned in this blog.

Telling Stories and Making Memories

It’s late at night as I write this but I wanted to get it down before I turned in for the evening.  What a wonderful day it’s been…one that contained one of those spontaneous times you never forget.

I was able to take today off so Sophie, my 6-year-old, and I could be on the road early for a father-daughter weekend, just the two of us off for a little time enjoying the great outdoors together. 

It worked out fine because Sally Ann, my wife, was going to be spending the weekend with her sister.  They get together in the spring one weekend every year and go to yard sales (Don’t ask me why. Personally, I’d rather have a root canal).  I think the real reason is that it gives them a chance to gossip about the other members of their family, especially Crazy Aunt Cora as she’s called (but never to her face).  That left the door open for Sophie and me to hitch up the Cougar and hit the trail, this time to Willapa Bay, near the coast here in Washington.

We pulled into the RV park in mid-afternoon, got set up and then spent the rest of the afternoon poking around and exploring, hiking a bit and just enjoying the chance to be together..  There’s something about the smell of fresh air that just pulls the stress right out of me.  Plus, the chance to spend time with my daughter immediately puts a smile on my face.

Later, while I was making dinner (Okay, I’m not the cook Sally Ann is but I can still grill a mean hamburger and open a potato chip bag), Sophie made friends with another little girl about her age a few spaces from ours.  They came running up giggling with that energy only little girls have, and Sophie introduced her as Emily. 

Sophie asked if Emily could join us for dinner and I agreed as long as it was alright with her family.  After a quick running trip by the two of them to get approval, Emily joined us for the feast.  Afterward, we walked Emily back to her family’s space so I could introduce myself.  Having just finished their own dinner, Emily’s family invited us to join them for a special treat.

I don’t know if you knew this or not but this is National Tell A Story Day.  Don’t feel bad if you didn’t because I’d never heard of it either.  In the United States, it’s every April 27th and its purpose is to keep the oral tradition – storytelling – alive. 

As darkness fell, Emily’s grandfather, Bob, sat in a folding chair by the family’s RV, and with about five children of different ages sitting on the ground in front of him and adults in chairs behind them, he began to spin a yarn.  It was a story about a young boy and his three-legged dog off on an adventure.  Bob drew a laugh when he said the dog’s name was Tripod and had us all leaning forward in anticipation as the story unfolded.  I must say, even though it was geared more toward the children, everyone enjoyed it.

Afterward, we said our good nights, and with the promise that Sophie would see Emily the next morning, we walked back to our Cougar. I turned on the new lights I just installed on our awning and began to clear the dinner dishes from our folding table.  Sophie talked about how much she enjoyed the storytelling and how she wanted to remember it forever.  I suggested she get her crayons and draw a picture of the yarn while I cleaned up.  On a large sheet of construction paper, she drew a picture of the story of the boy and the three-legged dog.  

My little artist finished it off, left it on the table for me to see and then gave me a hug as she went off to bed.  Tonight, as I’ve been writing this blog entry about our first experience with National Tell A Story Day, I must have glanced at Sophie’s drawing a dozen times.

A picture, they say, is worth a thousand words.  This picture will be something I’ll treasure for a lifetime and I’ll never forget this getaway weekend with my young daughter. 

 Catch ya next time!

*Disclaimer: RV.com, which is owned by Dometic Corporation, sponsors My Own Nature. Neither Dometic Corporation, nor RV.com, provides this blogger with free Dometic products, and this blogger does not receive a commission on click-throughs from links on this blog to RV.com, Dometic.com, or any other site. All references made to product brands are made in an attempt to provide readers with the knowledge necessary to recreate the experiences mentioned in this blog.

RV Roadtrips: Making Family Time Memories

The world is a wonder, my friends. Here I am, on another family vacation in the RV, and I’m using modern technology to describe the natural beauty of this great nation. 

My wife Sally Ann and I are committed to giving our six year old daughter Sophie an opportunity to love nature as much as we do. So we climb aboard our trusty Cougar RV on weekend trips that would have taken people a month or more to reach a mere century ago. I sit at the edge of massive lakes and mountains formed millions of years ago, and write about them on my iPad 2, a handheld electronic marvel that didn’t even exist until 2010.

And somehow it all seems so normal.

But whatever gets me out in a fishing boat with my little girl is a wonder I will never take for granted. I’m teaching Sophie to appreciate the peaceful splendor of a mountain lake in the morning, the gentle fog melting off in layers by a slowly warming sun. The silver streak of a fish just below the surface, and the patience that’s necessary to convince him to give up his watery home for the temptation of a shiny lure or wriggly morsel. You don’t see much patience in this ‘push button gratification’ world today, so I want her to know what it’s like to let nature embrace you on a quieter level.

Of course, when she’s in the old Ranger with me, it is anything but quiet. She can scare away the hungriest fish by talking a hundred miles an hour about Phineas & Ferb (it took me a month to find out it was a Disney Channel cartoon), Barbies, Justin Bieber and little blonde Meggie, the most popular girl in Kindergarten.

Yet I wouldn’t trade a moment of all those giggles or elementary school gossip, because soon enough, she’s going to see Dad as too old-fashioned to confide in. So for now, we fish, laugh, and enjoy a father-daughter bond as precious as gold to me. 

My better half, Sally Ann, prefers all the rolling comforts of home inside our RV, while I steal away occasionally to pitch my old Coleman tent on hard ground. But we make it work, and both come back from every weekend trip feeling refreshed and renewed.

Speaking of refreshed and renewed, fall is a good time to make sure your RV slide topper is in good repair. I learned that the hard way.

Our old Cougar had brought us through a number of happy seasons, but the slide topper was getting dirty and ragged over the years.  Regularly inspecting your slide topper can save you a lot of money by protecting the slide out from the elements, and keeping it unclogged and functional.

So before this last trip out to Washington’s Sun Lakes State Park, I treated the missus to a new Dometic Deluxe Slide Topper.  Since Sally Ann’s the keeper of the RV, she chose the color and style. Ben, our local dealer had it installed in no time, and that made this whole weekend adventure more memorable, with a happy wife and one less potential maintenance issue to worry about.

To my little girl, the slide out mechanism is just to the right of magic, so I let her help me engage it whenever we hit the site.  Lord, I love to hear that little voice raised in laughter.

This is Relaxin’ Jackson, wishing you well, wherever you may be. Send me your favorite family getaway story, and maybe we’ll mention you in a future column.

Catch ya next time!

*Disclaimer: RV.com, which is owned by Dometic Corporation, sponsors My Own Nature. Neither Dometic Corporation, nor RV.com, provides this blogger with free Dometic products, and this blogger does not receive a commission on click-throughs from links on this blog to RV.com, Dometic.com, or any other site. All references made to product brands are made in an attempt to provide readers with the knowledge necessary to recreate the experiences mentioned in this blog.

Perfection: Me, My Girls and Spanaway Lake

Welcome to my new friends and readers of the It’s My Nature blog. I’m opening it up to a bigger audience, thanks to the good folks at RV.com. The ability to reach out to millions of like-minded RVers is one great thing about technology. But this blog is meant to celebrate the great thing about nature, which is the ability to reach in and touch the soul in each of us.

 As for me, I enjoy piling the family into our trusty RV and heading off to new campgrounds to experience all the beauty nature has to offer. I’m happiest drifting along on a crystal clear lake in my old Ranger fishing boat. Take our latest trip to Spanaway Lake, just south of Tacoma, Washington. Nothing quite measures up to the way my six year-old baby girl holds her own Barbie fishing pole her mom picked up at Bass Pro Shop last week.  She crinkles her nose up as I bait the #6 hook. She apologizes to the wiggly worm, and says a little prayer for him under her breath before dunking him in the water.

That always makes me laugh. So does the way her eyes grow big as saucers when a few minutes later, a shiny yellow perch breaks the surface like a magical gift just for her. I let her hold his slippery skin, while I take the hook out and drop him in our Dometic portable refrigerator. I catch four more over the next two hours, but she’s happy just to open the lid and peek in on her fish every few minutes. She makes me laugh again, and I know I’ve got another great memory to hold onto.

 The best part about this latest camping vacation is that when we caught that last fish, we just eased the old Ranger back to shore, and walked a few hundred yards to where Sally Ann already had a small campfire blazing and our tent and campground already set up. My baby girl was chattering every step of the way, and couldn’t wait to tell her mommy about the great fishing adventure and the magical perch. Then I got to savor a sizzling fish dinner and shared a night under the stars with my two favorite ladies. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

 This is Relaxin’ Jackson, wishing you well, wherever you may be. Send me your favorite family getaway story, and maybe we’ll mention you in this column.

 Catch ya next time!