JASPER BEACH & WEST QUODDY HEAD

Tom and I went on our FIRST EVER boondocking adventure April 2nd. Our destination was Jasper Beach in Machiasport, a boondocking spot Tom had found at Free Campsites, and about 230 miles, give or take, from home.

We arrived later then we planned. We ended up taking a route that we hadn't mapped out on Google, but it didn't matter as we found our destination without too much frustration. It was almost dark by the time we parked, and the air was rapidly cooling. Flurries were in the forecast (although we only had overcast skies that weekend). We stretched our legs a bit, walking down the path to the rocky beach, then it was dinnertime.

Not surprisingly Jasper Beach was deserted. Who goes to the beach in early April, in Maine, with snow in the forecast? WE DO! The only sounds we could hear were the crashing waves of the Atlantic onto the beach that Tom described as "Pop Rocks". (You know - the candies.) It was a perfect spot for secluded overnight!

While Tom pulled the camper curtains closed for the night and then relaxed from hours of driving, I made steak, cheese and pepper subs on the stove that I served with potato chips. We read our bibles. We chatted. We walked up the dirt road to have enough phone signal to text our kids good night. And then settled down for our first sleep in Rhoda. 

Yes! We gave our Roadtrek a name. It seems like THE THING every owner does with their campers, so why not? We decided on Rhoda Roadtrek. Rather unusual name, right? (Hopefully you read that with silly sarcasm...)

We slept quite well considering that I thought I had turned the propane furnace on, and, well, I hadn't. Our forecasted low was 30 degrees. Around 4:00am, I awoke, peeked out from underneath our pile of cozy blankets and knew it had gotten a little too nippy. A flip of a switch and Rhoda was comfortably toasty a few minutes later.

Around 7:00am we decided to start our day. Our plans were to head to a small town called Cutler and purchase a used outboard motor from a private seller for our fishing skiff. We couldn't leave Jasper Beach without another walk down the path to explore in the growing daylight. There wasn't any sand, but instead a dune of smooth rocks of different colors and sizes. Amazing, really, the vastness of all those stones! There's just something special about the Atlantic.

Then it was Tom's turn to cook. He makes the best omelets! We shared a 4 egg (from our own free ranging hens) omelet filled with peppers, onions, bacon and cheese, and buttered English muffins for breakfast. I made a pot of coffee for Tom while I sipped on skim milk. A quick clean-up, and we were on our way into town to stop at McDonald's for their bathrooms and a drink for the road.

With several hours to go before we were able to pick up the outboard motor, we decided to meander to Lubec and see West Quoddy Head lighthouse and the eastern most point in the United States. The lighthouse and ocean views are stunning! (But the wind was bone-chilling!)

After picking up the motor, we headed back west towards home along a different and more mountainous route. We passed field after field of wild Maine blueberries. There's even a place called Wild Blueberry Land in Columbia Falls. Who would have thought? It was closed, but I jumped out to take some photos. It's not often you see a building shaped and painted like a blueberry. We ate an early dinner in Ellsworth at Governor's and then fought the wind gusts most of the way home. 

I'm anxious to boondock again! Let's start planning, honey!

Until next time...

EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE

It's especially important in small places that everything be useful AND have a space to be stored. Although the campervan has a lot of storage for a 19' RV, we've still had to carefully consider what we're bringing along with us. I'm sure as we "hit the road" our ESSENTIALS LIST will be tweaked, but here's what we've got so far.

OUR KITCHEN

When it comes to cooking, our plan is to grill it. What better way to prepare a meal then over a campfire or a tabletop grill outside. The RT comes with a 2 burner stove, microwave and 2-way fridge/freezer so I purchased what I consider the basics for our camper kitchen.

• Hot Pads (3)
• Hand towels (5)
• Dish Drying Mat 
• Rubber Spatula (2)
• Rubber Stirring Spoon
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Meat Thermometer
• Tongs
• Silverware (3 Forks, 3 Spoons, 3 Knives & 2 Steak Knives)
• Plates (2)
• Bowls (2)
• Paper Plates, Bowls and Cups
• Plastic Picnicware
• Mixing Bowl
• Strainer
• Saucepan with Lid
• Fry pan
• Spices
• Tin Foil
• Square Plastic Containers with Lids (4)
• Lighter
• Plastic Trash Bags (Reusing Grocery Store and Wal-Mart Bags)

OUR BATHROOM and CLOSET

We're fortunate that our campervan comes with a closet that contains the toilet and shower on one side and a bank of drawers on the other with shelving above both areas. We'll be using the drawers to store our clothing. I've used inexpensive white plastic boxes from Wal-Mart (.97 cents each) and teal totes from Family Dollar (1.00 each) to organize our things into CLEANING, TOILETRIES, JUNK DRAWER, and TOWELS.

• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Body Wipes
• Nail Clippers
• Tweezers
• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray
• First Aid Kit
• Soap
• RV TP
• Medicines - Tylenol, Antihistamine, Pepto-Bismal, Bacitracin
• Hand and Body Lotion
• Bath Towels (2)
• Lysol Wipes
• Hand Broom and Dustpan
• Paper Towels
• Batteries
• Mini Bungie Cords
• Duct Tape
• Lighters
• Battery-powered Lantern
• Flashlights (2)
• A Few Card Games

BEDDING

Our bedding will change as the seasons change. We've gone back and forth about setting up the back dinette into the full-sized bed and leaving it that way, but for now it's a cozy dining area and our bedding is stored in the cabinets above.

• Bedspread (that I'm Crocheting Up ASAP)
• Thick Fluffy Blanket
• Thin Blanket
• Padded Mattress Pad
• Sheets
• Pillows (2)

What's important is that we have all those things that make camping enjoyable, comfortable and restful. Anything that isn't will be left behind.

SPARKLY CLEAN & READY FOR HOMEY TOUCHES (VIDEO)

Our campervan is finally home from the RV Center, everything in working order. After gathering up my arsenal of cleaning supplies, I spent a few hours cleaning surfaces, cabinets, shelves, and the bathroom, readying the inside for our essential camping items. But before filling those empty spaces and making the Roadtrek homey, I took a BEFORE video (on my Android) of the camper.

(I feel a little silly doing videos, but they do make showing the details so much easier and quicker than a series of photos.)

WAITING (IM)PATIENTLY

Our Roadtrek campervan isn't home from the RV Center yet. We're anxious to get started on our road adventures, but "she" needs some TLC first. The new tires are mounted. The awning slides in and out. The generator hums along nicely. But there's this switch that needs replacing before its camp-ready.  In the meantime, we stopped by over the weekend and started to clean up the inside, "trashing" that FOR SALE sign.

The previous owner and her grandsons are "good people", but I can't live in a space someone else has without disinfecting. There's an ICK FACTOR of knowing others, strangers really, have been sleeping in the bed or using the facilities. Now, don't misunderstand; I'm not obsessive about germs and dirt, but I want it to be OUR germs and dirt.

We started cleaning by tossing out Linda's "left behinds". Throw pillows, blankets, exploded air fresheners, disposable plates, cleaning rags, hotel-sized toiletries, and a plethora of "junk drawer" stuff were bagged up and removed. (I may even use a few of those things, but I'll decide that later.)

It was also a great time for us to start to get to know all the spaces inside the campervan (without other people waiting impatiently). Tom started "her" up and soon the inside was toasty warm despite the cold weather outside. Every drawer and cabinet was opened. We even made the dinette into a bed and laid down. (It's pretty comfy and cozy!) I also jotted down measurements of drawers, shelves and cabinets. These measurements will be very important when I shop for containers and organizers.

(All those scribbles make perfect sense to me...)

Hopefully we'll have the campervan home this weekend and I can DEEP CLEAN and start getting "the essentials" into the cabinets. I'm impatient though and bought a few things, basic kitchen tools, sheets, pillows, and storage containers, and gathered up some odds and ends from around the house, a fan, a small heater, a folding clothes dryer rack, a propane 2 burner camp stove.

Next time you see "her" she'll be decked out and ready to roll!

IN THE BEGINNING WE HAD A DREAM

When we saw this campervan parked in the icy snow beside the road with a FOR SALE sign propped up on the dash, we had to call. Just out of curiosity. We weren't planning to buy an RV yet. With 5 kids still at home, most of them teenagers not keen on "roughing it", we knew it would be for our enjoyment only, limited by home and family responsibilities.

It's hard to stifle a dream though. At least not for the asking price the PREVIOUS owner wanted. A month later, on Valentine's Day, my husband sealed the deal on the Roadtrek in the parking lot of a Cumberland Farms while the kids and I waited (im)patiently in the mini van. I never did get flowers or chocolates that day, but, hey, I got a camper!

Looking into the front, we have the cab, diningroom and livingroom. The captain's chairs swivel around to make seating for 4. If the kids do venture out with us, the seats can be made into 2 twin size sleeping beds.

We even have skylights! Do you see the knobs under the skylights? There's a side-to-side drawer hidden behind there for storage. Not for anything bulky, but I'm sure I can find something to fill it with. Reflectix window coverings?

Looking into the back, you'll see our bathroom, linen, cleaning supplies, and wardrobe closet to the left, the dinette (which we'll make into the full-sized bed) and the kitchen to the right. Our kitchen has a 2 burner propane stove with hood, a microwave, a sink, and a 3 way fridge and freezer. There are cupboards and an AC unit above the dinette as well as more drawers and cupboards in the kitchen area. Hidden underneath the dinette benches are the water heater, house batteries and furnace.

(Oh, and that long white pole on the floor is for the outside awning.)

Did you notice the track on the ceiling fan and light? Well, that's for the stand up shower! Just open up the doors to create privacy in the aisle, pull the shower curtain around the track on the ceiling, and get clean. There's a drain in the floor under the throw rug.

There's a fully functioning toilet! The previous owner even left behind TP...

Soon, when we bring the campervan home from the garage (for minor repairs and new tires), I'll deep clean, declutter and "spruce it up". I'm not much for shopping, but I can't wait to make our home-away-from-home cozy and comfortable.