Journey to Backus in January 2014

[John Linck]

Jill and I picked up our Scamp 13 Oak four years ago next month, traveling about 300 miles North from Madison, Wisconsin to Scampland in Backus, Minnesota. We checked road conditions before setting out and found dry pavements all the way, at least until we reached Scamp's parking lot (see attached pic). Wayne was pretty flexible about when we chose to arrive. Thankfully delivery orientation was indoors and much warmer. Wayne gave us a factory tour as well as explaining everything about our new camper, our second Scamp. If you look closely at the attached pic you can see stickers on the tire tread. The Scamp shipped without water, but with propane so we could camp right away. Would you believe we had to wait 4 months from order to pickup?

Over the next 4 years we slept 6 months in the Scamp, towed thirty thousand miles, crossing the Rockies 6 times, visited dozens of parks from Organ Pipe on the Mexican border to Jasper in the Canadian Rockies and from Pictured Rocks in Michigan to Big Sur in California. Six months out of 48 is far too little. This earning a living stuff really gets in the way.

Also we made dozens of modifications to the rig over that time, from lifting it 3 inches, to adding solar on top. I expect we will keep on Scamping til they pry my driver's license out of my cold fingers.

Happy 2018 all and Happy Trails, john

[Jon in AZ]

Great memory, John!

I still find work very rewarding, though it certainly does tie you down. It was an adjustment for me when I transitioned from teaching, with summers off, to ministry, in which summer is usually my busiest time of year. In my teaching days I made several 2-3 week cross country tours, but now travel is limited shorter 3-7 day trips within a long day's drive. On the plus side I now enjoy the flexibility to schedule our vacations during off-peak seasons. One advantage of the Southwest is decent camping weather somewhere nearby pretty much all year round.

Limited time means I appreciate each day spent camping all the more. Hope 2018 brings you many new adventures!

Happy New Year to all!