Woop! Woop! Let's Go Camping!!

[mdstrass]

Hi All! As of Wednesday, March 5, 2014 Mike & I are the proud owners of a 305RL Solitude! Avid campers until about 16 years ago when we sold our American Star 5th wheel for a cabin in Northern Michigan. We have always talked about traveling the US again closer to retirement. Although Mike has been (disabled) retired for 16 years now, I was just able to retire at the end of January. We returned from our Caribbean Cruise just in time for the Novi RV show (1st week in Feb) where we were absolutely committed to buying a Montana. Then we saw the Solitude and 2.5 years of researching went right out the window. We loved it!

We don't really consider ourselves 'newbies', but it has been a while... we love the Grand Design Owners Forum and have been just reading everything we can to prepare for our Shakedown trip in April and we are really looking forward to the GD Rally in September. Almost can't visualize camping in September as I could never travel during the school year (just retired from middle school teaching), BUT WE ARE SO LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!!!

Any advice on where to camp, add-ons/improvements, things to watch-out for would be greatly appreciated!

Woop! Woop! Lets Go Camping!! ;D

Mike & Darlene Strasser

 

[TucsonJim]

Welcome Mike and Darlene. Happy trails to you!

 

[WhittleBurner]

Hi and welcome, we're from MI too. I'm sure you'll have lots off happy miles worth your new solitude. Seeing as you went to the Novi show you must be close to the metro area. We're waiting for a few days of temps above 20 to go on our first shake down with our 303. Today is a big teaser for sure, I'm sitting in it right now!

 

[Renee]

Darlene! I'm a middle school teacher too I teach 6th grade Math.
Congrats on your retirement and on the purchase of your Solitude.

I retire in April, and am so ready to do a lot of extended camping in my 305RE, also!

 

[mandolin57]

Darlene and Mike....our dream is the Solitude 305 too! Hopefully this fall if not sooner. Congrats on yours and your retirement! Enjoy life and maybe we'll see you out there!!! Take care!

 

[dloase]

Mandolin57 - Just wondering if your screen name is an indication of your hobbies. I also play and always nice to "meet" other players

 

[mandolin57]

[quote author=dloase link=topic=487.msg3581#msg3581 date=1394474424]
Mandolin57 - Just wondering if your screen name is an indication of your hobbies. I also play and always nice to "meet" other players
[/quote]

I'm sure you put me to shame, but yes I do play. Not well...but I love it! My husband and I (actually my entire family) love Bluegrass. My brother plays guitar and lives in Forest VA. Not sure how close you are to there, but they frequent Floyd about 5-6 times a year. For me...it's the greatest relaxation ever next to camping! Do you play in a group at all?

 

[Shamu]

mandolin57 and dloase
Check out http://www.indianafiddlersgathering.org/
There is a great state park about 2-3 miles down the road called Prophetstown

 

[dloase]

Mandolin57
The only group I currently play in is my church praise team. I have played in a southern gospel group for several years, but that project went by the wayside when life interveined in several members lives. I was lucky enough to record CD's with both of my children playing with me. I play guitar, bass, mandolin, and some dobro and keyboard. I recenently was given a banjo by my wife so am working on adding that along with dulicmer to my musical instruments.

 

[Sandi]

dloase

I sure hope you all are planning on attending the rally in September! Would love for you to entertain us all a little in the evenings. I love the strings!

 

[mandolin57]

[quote author=dloase link=topic=487.msg3633#msg3633 date=1394535737]
Mandolin57
The only group I currently play in is my church praise team. I have played in a southern gospel group for several years, but that project went by the wayside when life interveined in several members lives. I was lucky enough to record CD's with both of my children playing with me. I play guitar, bass, mandolin, and some dobro and keyboard. I recenently was given a banjo by my wife so am working on adding that along with dulicmer to my musical instruments.
[/quote]
Wow...I'd love to hear you! I have played with my brother and sister a few times in church....my sister plays dulcimer as well.....but I'm not brave enough to venture too far out. I love the picking part...not so much chords. For some reason the picking just comes easier for me. (maybe the piano lessons paid off there Maybe we can connect out there some time...that would sure be fun.

 

[dloase]

Sandi,
I would most certainly like to come to the rally in September, but won't know my fall teaching schedule until July so that is on hold for now.

Mandolin57
PA is where I was born and rasied so I try to get up that way at least once a year. I know we have camping trips planned this summer so you never know. There is an old saying that if you want to walk on water you have to get out of the boat. I was a closet player for years, but finally ventured out with a group of friends. My guitar traveled everywhere with me while I did my time on active duty and opened so many doors on port calls. Find a group of friends and family and a venue and go for it.