Travel on Chet Collins

New York: Day 2

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 21:16:05 -0400

By 7:12am, everyone was awake. Not ideal, but it’s how the cookie crumbled. The forecast today was for high humidity, dew point, and heat through the evening, so we got through breakfast quickly and got ready to head over to the mines.

Before we did, Benedict and I went to the camp office to check in. Since we arrived so late, they left our paperwork on the late arrival board last night. It was a quick process, we checked out the store and asked a few questions, and made our way back to the RV by walking on the road along the banks of the river. The girls were basically ready when we got back, so we crossed the street to the mines.

A school group arrived just before us, and the air was moist but not uncomfortable (yet). We managed to get our waivers signed and tools assigned before heading to the mines to look for quartz. The quarry was very rough, and the work was hard. There were several professional mining bros with full setups and we, the uninitiated, out baking in the sun. Thankfully there was some shade and no one skied down a cascading wall of rocks.

After an hour, we had a few nice rocks, no life changing fortunes, and we headed back to camp. We decided to rent a golf cart, so while the girls dropped their findings at the RV, Benedict and I went to camp HQ to rent a golf cart. I was expecting something basic, but this one was fully loaded, including a bluetooth audio system. I turned on the Sneaky Sasquatch soundtrack to enjoy.

We drove back to the RV to pick up the girls. It was a tight squeeze, but we all made it in. The windshield folded down, music on, we drove around camp. The site is right along a bend in a river, so our first stop was to the upper entrance to the river. There were some rapids, and just the right sound profile, which I really love. The banks were teeming with trees and leaves, making for a very nice view.

Further down the road, and river, we spotted two geese and their gaggle of five goslings out looking for some food. A few more minutes, and a couple more laps, and it was time for a picnic lunch.

Our campsite is right under a huge tree, so there was plenty of shade. We had sandwiches, potato salad, and chips. With lunch over, and a pop-up storm approaching, we cleaned up and went into the RV. The air conditioning was running all morning with our electrical hookup, and it felt amazing inside. We did some tidying and then had a few minutes of quiet time while the storm rolled through dumping plenty of rain on the campsite. In less than an hour, the cell had moved on and it was time for afternoon fun.

A stray storm cell rolled through just as lunch ended, which left us inside for about an hour. It was good to have quiet time, and even better to have a full up air conditioner making it so comfortable inside. I sat at the table with my laptop and took care of a few things.

First up after the rain, we went to the pool. The campground was still mostly quiet when we arrived, and the pool water was very cold, although it felt good once the initial shock wore off. As we were swimming (and water dancing), more and more RVs rolled into camp. Before long, people were joining us at our private pool party. Benedict didn’t want to swim in the cold, so we got a bag of sand and crystals for him to prospect nearby.

With swimming over, and everyone changed, we went over to the Camp HQ and rented four human-powered go carts. The kids rode them around the camp while Alison and I followed behind in the golf cart. With the big 3 running around and Alison watching Veronica, I went to start a load of laundry and get ice.

The cart rentals were just for an hour, and we’d already spent lots of time outside in the sun, so we turned the bikes back in and got ice cream to eat in chairs outside of the RV. Lucy and Veronica begged me to take them in the golf cart on an “adventure,” and Felicity asked to join too, so we headed out. We drove all over camp, checking out the river, looking for the goslings, and having fun.

We arrived back at the RV in time for dinner. The kids got cleaned up one-by-one and we cleaned the kitchen and the RV. It was so nice to have everything contained in one space. With that done, it was time for evening games before a family Rosary, during which Veronica fell asleep.

New York: Day 1

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 23:00:38 -0400

Nothing ever goes according to plan, you just really have to do your best.

After yesterday’s weather surprise, and a very late night, we had a super early start this morning. Felicity was first up at 2am, and Benedict joined her at 4am. The allure of the RV was stronger than their need for sleep, even though Benedict was up just as late as us last night.

I got up at 6am, got ready for the day, and started on my final checklist. Everyone was up shortly after, and in a very positive and helpful mood. That was a very nice thing. Just after 7am, we were ready. We did final checks, at Benedict’s direction, to ensure that the RV was ready to go, and we drove to Chick-fil-A. We ended up about 30 minutes ahead of our scheduled departure.

We fueled up the RV and ate breakfast in the parking lot. It was time to drive. Things went pretty well. Traffic was light for most of the day, and with my lack of sense of urgency, I was able to safely meander on our route.

Our lunch stop on the Ohio Turnpike had us at a dedicated RV space separated from the car and truck traffic, and adjacent to a large field of crops. There was a cool, dry breeze that felt great under blue skies.

RV parked for lunch

The children migrated between seats at the table and couch throughout the day. They played, read books, and chatted with each other. Benedict enjoyed being able to sit in the Navigator seat for some of the trip.

We made many stops, longer than usual, which made for an easy pace but a long day.

Veronica keeping a close eye on my driving

Most of the bad weather avoided us, which was nice. But our leisurely pace and destination meant that sunset was earlier than at home, and we arrived to camp in the dark. It was a harrowing final 14 miles of drive, but we made it. Benedict helped me get our registration paperwork, hopped out of the RV to find our campsite, and held the flashlight while I connected the RV to the hookups.

Sunset after the storms

No doubt it was a long day, and getting the kids in bed meant it was two late nights in the row. Perhaps, with all of us sleeping in the same space, we’ll sleep in for a while tomorrow?

New York: Day 0

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 22:25:00 -0400

Nothing ever really goes according to plan. The best you can do is try hard and roll with the punches.

A mix-up with the dog boarding drop-off hours left us scrambling. We headed out just after lunch to pick up the RV. The girls were dropped at their grandparents’ house while Alison, Benedict, and I drove 30 minutes to get the RV.

It was a mom-and-pop operation and they were very nice. The RV was older than expected, but ready for the journey. After a walkaround in the unseasonably warm June afternoon, Alison went to pick up the girls and Benedict and I drove the RV back to the house.

Despite more than an hour going though all of the systems, there was no discussion about how to drive the RV. This is baffling, but I adapted my default driving behavior: be confident and hope for the best.

There were a few miles of quiet country roads before the four lane highway, so I was at least able to warm up. Then, it was right into the mix of late Wednesday afternoon traffic. It was technical and challenging, but a great way to get my feet wet.

We were heading to the store to pick up some last minute items when I realized Alison would be cutting it close for getting home and getting the dog to boarding. So we diverted home, dropped the RV, got the dog, and drove her to the boarding house. She did not want to go, and planted herself firmly on the sidewalk outside until two menacing Chihuahuas scared her and she ran inside.

Benedict and I drove to the store and spent 45 minutes trying to find the RV toilet paper, with no luck, so we went home. Alison had dinner ready as soon as we backed the RV into the driveway. We ate, and as dinner was winding down, a severe thunderstorm warning came across. We ended dinner and took loads of supplies out into the RV so that we could unpack while the rain passed through.

Just before 7pm, the girls went inside and I left Benedict in the RV to finish putting some things away. Steps away, the first strong gust came. It was strong, but the trees in our neighborhood get this regularly and I wasn’t concerned. Then, almost immediately, the second stronger gust came through. I ran back out to the RV, only a few feet away, to find a massive tree trunk came down in our driveway. The main trunk was six feet from the RV, but large branches pressed against the side. I ran to the drivers door, opened it, and got Benedict out.

The RV after the storm

The storm moved through quickly, and I got out the chainsaw. With Alison’s help, and just a few cuts, the RV was free to move. I got it into final position, got the girls down for the night, and turned on the generator and AC on the RV for Alison and Benedict to move in.

It was a late night, much later than anticipated, but a memorable start to our vacation and first RV trip.