From “Just Looking” to Full Send
What a whirlwind of a week!!!
It all started with Papa Bear just wanting to look at a new camper while we were in Island Park anyway.
Well…
That all changed in a hurry the moment he contacted a dealership the Sunday before our week started. It went from “just looking” to full send, and we found ourselves on one of the craziest roller coasters imaginable.
By Wednesday, we were already emptying out the good ol’ Arctic Fox. She has been such a beautiful place to escape reality and trade everyday life for fresh mountain air and peaceful adventures.
It was bittersweet knowing our time with her was coming to an end.
Friday — Pickup Day
Friday morning we were up before the chickens.
Papa Bear was running purely on adrenaline over getting a new camper. If he’d had it his way, we would have been moving by 3:00 a.m.!!
Instead, we compromised: sipping coffee at 3:30 a.m. and pulling out of the driveway by 4:45 a.m., heading toward Idaho.
The trip went surprisingly smooth. We only made two potty stops, which, if you know me, is practically a miracle!!
We rolled into Smith’s RV dealership just after 10:00 a.m., where they immediately gave us a walk-through before Papa Bear finished all of the paperwork. A few hours later, we were transferring everything from the trusty Arctic Fox into our brand new Fuzion.
Saying goodbye to the Arctic Fox tugged on a few heartstrings, but it was exciting to embrace this new chapter and all of the new adventures waiting for us.
By this point in the day, Papa Bear was completely done with humans.
Hangry. Growly. Running on fumes.
His mission became finding fuel for Big Red and food for us before one of us became the next meal.
Those small Idaho towns definitely aren’t designed for a truck towing a 46-foot-long camper, but after a bit of maneuvering we finally managed to fuel up and grab some grub so we could get back on the road.
Our weekend destination was Island Park, Idaho. Thankfully, that’s one place Papa Bear knows like the back of his hand. We found our campsite, immediately got everything set up, and finally took a deep breath.
To top off the day, Papa Bear called one of his good friends, Keith, and his beautiful lady, Merry, to join us for dinner. This evening was exactly what we needed: great conversation, plenty of laughs, and some absolutely delicious desserts from The Hickory, a little gem in Island Park.
After one incredibly hectic week, we were finally settled into our new home on wheels.
Now…
Let’s talk about that first night’s sleep.
Papa Bear and I weren’t about to part with our Purple mattress, so she got unloaded from the Arctic Fox at home, where she’ll be waiting for us to return.
So we got a very humbling reminder that RV manufacturers think a thin piece of foam qualifies as a mattress.
There is absolutely no preparing for that kind of sleep when you’re used to melting into a Purple every night.
I think we’ve officially become a little bougie in our old age!!!
Saturday
Saturday morning rolled around, and I woke up stiff as hell from the poor excuse they call a mattress.
Let’s just say it’s moving to the top of the list of things to replace.
Thank goodness for a reliable generator and a fresh cup of coffee. There’s something about slowly waking up on a comfy couch, coffee in hand, with nowhere to rush off to, that just feeds the soul.
Once Papa Bear and I got ourselves moving, we met up with Keith and Merry for lunch at Connie’s. If you’ve never had their Philly cheesesteak, you’re missing out. It was absolutely delicious and hit the spot.
Back at camp, we decided it was time to rest our eyelids and, more importantly, check our attitudes.
This Mama Bear knew a nap was the safest option before anyone became dinner.
A little shut-eye worked wonders.
After our power nap, we wandered over to Pond’s Lodge for burgers, and those didn’t disappoint. Full bellies made for some happy bear campers.
We made our way back to camp to grab the pups so we could head over to Keith’s cabin, where we spent the evening gathered around a crackling campfire, sharing stories and enjoying some good company.
One thing I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older is that nothing tests my patience quite like a parent who brings their kids or pups to someone’s gathering and then completely checks out. The kids and four-legged ones run wild while everyone else at the gathering ends up keeping an eye on them, just so that parent can stay wrapped up in conversation.
Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve always believed your littles, whether they’re the human kind or the four-legged kind, are still your responsibility, no matter where you are.
After a little of that, we called it a night and made our way back to the camper to enjoy a shower and settle in for one final night on that so-called mattress.
Sunday — Pack It Up
Sunday morning started bright and early…
Thanks to ol’ Whitty, who decided sleeping in was absolutely not part of the agenda in her four-legged mind. It was time for everyone to get up and get moving.
I was able to steal a few more warm snuggles from Papa Bear before the coffee pot started calling my name. There really is nothing better than that first cup of coffee to get the day started.
We sat around relaxing for what felt like maybe 40 minutes before Papa Bear got antsy.
Suddenly, his mission was to have everything packed up in 45 minutes so we could be rolling down the road before 8:00 a.m.
Let’s just say that wasn’t my favorite part of the weekend.
Papa Bear started rushing me, and when Mama Bear hasn’t had a good night’s sleep, my brain doesn’t exactly fire on all cylinders. It takes me a hot minute to process life, let alone pack up the camper at lightning speed.
I gathered myself as best I could, and before long we were back on the road.
As much as I loved our little getaway, I was more than ready to get home, crawl into my own bed, and finally get a good night’s sleep.
With this trip coming to an end, it feels like we’re closing one chapter and opening another, one filled with endless opportunities, new adventures, and memories just waiting to be made.
Here’s to whatever adventure comes next.
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