We upgraded to a fifth wheel travel trailer this month. Two years ago I didn’t even know what a fifth wheel was. For those that don’t know what this is, GoingRV explains:

The Fifth-Wheel Travel Trailer can have the same amenities as the Conventional Travel Trailer, but is constructed with a raised forward section that provides a spacious bi-level floor plan. These models are designed to be towed by a pickup truck equipped with a device known as a fifth-wheel hitch.

We went from a 30 foot travel trailer to a 42 foot fifth wheel travel trailer for more living space during our travels. When we bought our camper last year we had never even rented one, so we didn’t know if it was something we would love or if it was just going to help make our National Parks trips easier. It turns out both are true. We used our travel trailer every month last year, even throughout the winter months! Our kids love nature and we are making great family memories camping. We have stayed at almost a dozen state parks and visited three National Parks with our first camper in the year we had it. The memories and time with our kids on these adventures has been priceless. Our kids will only be kids once. The time goes by so fast. While camping we are immersed in nature, play, and time together as a family.

Last week the twins were enrolled in Nature Camp in Southlake and I saw a poster that I had to share here:

We are helping our kids develop more physically and mentally healthy by spending time in nature with them. Camping allows this opportunity for their development to be enhanced while we bond as a family and make great memories. Camping is more than just getting away, it’s about enjoying God’s beautiful creation everywhere we go.

On our camping trips the kids get to see first hand the majestic mountains, lakes, gigantic rock formations, streams, sunsets, sunrises, and more that God has created. We are all enjoying the travels, time together, adventure, and discovering God’s nature across our great country.

We camped this weekend on Lake Lewisville. The kids kayaked, made sand castles, discovered all sorts of bugs to collect in their bug boxes, swam, made s’mores over a campfire, ran and played outside for hours on end. They beg to go camping when we aren’t camping.

We got interested in a larger camper after watching many episodes of “Going RV”.  This TV show highlights a different couple each episode and their shopping experience in finding the ideal RV, travel trailer, or fifth wheel for their needs. We learned a great deal about the options on the market and especially family friendly layouts.

We decided a mid bunk with a loft overhead was the way we wanted to go. After seeing different brands at a variety of RV dealers we decided Jayco was the brand we wanted. They have fantastic quality. Especially their cabinetry, which is made by the Amish. Unfortunately, the model we wanted was sold out in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area and beyond. We found one available in Oklahoma City and three at a dealership in Baird, TX (about 2.5 hours away). We drove to Baird on a Saturday and decided within a half hour of seeing one that we would buy it.

I highly recommend Jayco, because of their quality. They have great 360 degree tours on their website. Here is the model we went with: 355mbqs, which is one of their best sellers (probably because the awesome layout combined with top quality craftsmanship)- https://www.jayco.com/products/fifth-wheels/2018-eagle-fifth-wheel/355mbqs/

Here is Justin driving the fifth wheel home for the first time. Yep, it’s big!

Here are photos from our new fifth wheel. We are enjoying it already and especially the memories being made!

We are headed to the East coast soon for another epic summer road trip. We will visit six National parks while camping at various state parks along the way. Our plan is ten States, including the District of Columbia over seventeen days. I will be blogging along the way, so check back on the blog later this summer for tips on visiting these National Parks: Hot Springs, Smokey Mountains, Congaree, Shenandoah, Cuyahoga, and Mammoth Caves.

A side note…

I don’t consider our version of camping to be “real camping”.  I sometimes refer to it as glamping, not trying to be cute, but it’s  a better description of our version of camping.

I have tent camped and liked it in my teens and twenties. I once did two weeks on the Appalachian Trail carrying all my food, clothes, tent, and sleeping bag for two weeks on my back. That was interesting…. I missed certain things like nail polish, makeup, and pretty clothes. The first thing I did when I got into my car after two weeks hiking without any mirrors was look in the mirror in my car. The horror! I had tweezers and nail polish in my car. I tweezed my eyebrows and painted my nails before leaving the parking lot. The next thing I did was check into a KOA and got a shower.

At least I can say “Been there, done that”. Now I can enjoy a different, upgraded version of camping.