Living on a campground: The Plumbergs have gone “all in” for the outdoor life
The couple sold their Oklahoma City home in October and now plan to travel and be campers for the rest of their lives.
The road is truly home now for Dave and Chris Plumberg.
While many retired couples like to spend winters by the ocean and summers in the mountains, few go “all in” as the Plumbergs have.
Multimedia
For many, the Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial opening of the camping season. Here are some camping tips for an enjoyable camping experience:
Food Safety
Using two coolers allows campers to store raw food and cooked food separately. Use a solution of water and bleach to sanitize dishes and utensils that come in contact with raw food to prevent cross-contamination.
Campers should not leave food within reach of wild animals that may inhabit the areas near the campgrounds. To be safe, store food in locked vehicles or coolers.
Campfire Safety
Campfires provide campers with warmth, light and a heat source for cooking. Campers should use the rock ring or metal fire ring provided at many campgrounds.
Clear the ground close to the fire ring to prevent sparks from catching anything on fire. Keep a water source nearby to douse flames if the fire gets out of control, and always make sure the coals are cool to the touch before leaving it unattended.
All campers should be aware of the campfire restrictions within each campground they visit.
Weather
When taking the family out on a camping adventure, make sure to pack cold-weather clothing like a jacket and hat to keep children warm on cool nights. During the day, protect children with sun block and hats to prevent sunburns.
Keeping Kids Busy
The key to an enjoyable trip with children is keeping them busy. Camping bingo is a great way to keep the kids busy and introduce them to new sights and sounds of the outdoors.
Create a card with 10 squares. In each square, write something for them to find, see or hear, such as birds, fish, rocks, bugs, flowers, spider webs and a frog. Cards can be tailored to match children's age levels.
Camping Etiquette
Be courteous to your neighbors. Cutting through someone else's campsite is considered rude.
Excessive noises such as blaring music and excessive dog barking can ruin a quiet evening. Be mindful of your campsite noise levels and obey quiet hours. Pets should be kept on a leash, and any pet waste should be picked up and disposed of immediately.
When leaving a campsite, leave it better than you found it. Pick up all trash and dispose of it properly. A good way to teach children to pick up trash is to pay them a penny for every bottle cap, can or napkin they pick up. If leaving extra firewood for the next camper, neatly stack it next to the fire ring.
Source: Encore and Thousand Trails, www.RVonTheGo.com
In October, they sold the home where they had lived for 26 years in northwest Oklahoma City. They also sold or gave away almost everything in it, from Chris' collection of ducks to Dave's big bucket of golf balls. They only kept some clothes and photo albums.
“You had to let go of stuff you really would like to hang on to, but it was time to let go of everything,” Dave said.
With proceeds from the sale of their house, they bought a used motor home that is now their permanent home. Their address is the campground where they are for that day, week or month. They plan to be campers for the rest of their lives.
Since Nov. 4, they have been to 11 states and traveled 4,400 miles, seeing the southeastern part of the country and the Gulf Coast, camping for two weeks in Gulf Shores, Ala., two weeks in Naples, Fla., and three months in Key Largo.
Dave, who turns 67 this week, and Chris, who is 64, are seeing and doing things for the first time in their lives. They have hiked on the Appalachian Trail, kayaked alongside of manatees and went parasailing in the Florida Keys.
Their home for the past week has been Arcadia Lake as they were back in Oklahoma for their granddaughter's high school graduation Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday, they hit the road again where they will spend the summer touring the Dakotas, Montana, Canada and the northwestern part of the United States.
They plan to attend the famous Calgary Stampede Rodeo but also make stops at Mount Rushmore, Custer's battlefield and other historical sites. They are planning a trip to Alaska next spring.
“The plan is to go south when it's cold and north when it's hot,” Chris said.
If you owe under $729k you may qualify for 2.90% APR Govt Refi Plans.
www.SeeRefinanceRates.com
(APR 2013): If You Pay For Car Insurance You Better Read This...
www.ConsumerFinanceDaily.com
Prev
Follow
