Smith Family Weblog

Earlier this summer, we made plans to join Gramma, Grampa, Mom, Dave, Katie and Tom at the Minnesota cabin for the Fourth of July. After a bit of work, I was able to convince the Kansas contingent to travel by RV. (Typical response from Katie following an update on the rental plans: “Are we really doing this? I guess this is really happening.”) IT DID, and it was AWESOME.

Katie and Tom came around quite nicely, I think.

We spent the first night of vacation at Smiths, then picked up our RV in Omaha on Saturday morning. It was nice and new and clean, if not a bit cumbersome.

Once we loaded luggage for what seemed to be 17 people, we hopped in, and Doug took a few photos for us. (You can see Doug’s entire set here.)

It only took us seven hours to travel up north—we passed the time by playing games, asking Bryan to share the wheel (no), and trying to get Owen to nap (also no). A few choice overheards, from an intended series I neglected to fully capture, probably provide the best insights:

Rebecca, regarding potential carsickness: “I’m making seating decisions based on who is likely to be the pukiest.”

Bryan: “Buckle up. I want to try something here.”

Rebecca: “Please don’t tell your brother to shut his face.”

Owen: “Mosquito!”

Rebecca: “Olivia, do not stand on your sister’s head.”

Once we arrived, we parked by the cabins and used the RV as our own quarters for the week. It worked out really well. For the most part it was very cool, and we slept well (especially after Grampa helped us level it).

The ride home was a bit dicier, as is often the case. The table leg snapped, leaving us without an easy spot for snacks or games, so the kids had to find other ways to pass the time.

MOST of the kids, anyway.

I loved traveling in an RV, and while Gramma was quick to remind me of the two happiest days (the day you buy a camper, and the day you sell it), I also loved my mom’s remark: “RV having fun yet?” — a perfect nod to a Bornemeier vacation. Thanks, family!