
When I made our reservations for White Tail Ridge, the long range weather forecast predicted a mix of cloudy and partly cloudy days with one thunderstormy day.
What we actually got were several thunderstorms, lots of drizzle, and one partly cloudy day — our last camping day!

We would have left early except that I was certain I would find mushrooms after all that rain. My payoff? One log with fatally poisonous mushrooms in the button stage!

The days were hot and steamy. One day (between rains) the real-feel temperature got up to 103. I had very reluctantly bought a portable air conditioner for my tiny van. Reluctantly, because it takes up a huge amount of room!

After the trip I decided it was definitely worth giving up that 14 x 18 inches! It was not the style I wanted, but it was the only one I could find to fit in the 23 inches between the table top and ceiling. The cab of my micro van is too small to put a unit in the front of the van.
I made a temporary holder for the exhaust hose in the passenger window, and ran the drain line out of the power cord hole in the floor. It worked beautifully! So I’ll make a permanent version for my next trip.

The nicest thing about the trip was a group of 7 families, all relatives and neighbors from a fairly local small town. The guys fished (not very successfully) but every single person was warm, welcoming and friendly. Even the teenagers were courteous and friendly to us. People like that go a long way toward restoring faith that there really are a lot of good people around, despite what you hear on the news!

We ate sandwiches and take-out mostly. Here, for posterity, is proof that I actually cooked for hubby — once!

Judy L Crankshaw
/ June 14, 2019Your opening photo of Mikkey cracks me up. Camping life is hard!
You sure did have to give up space for your a/c, but when you gotta have it, there’s not much discussion, is there?
Is your cooktop an induction burner, or butane? Have friends who pur based an induction burner, and they LOVE it for camping use. I dont think I’m ready to give up our two-burner Camp Chef stove yet, but I always like to think about the new gadgets, etc that are out there. We do have a butane burner, but we really dont use it.
Camp on!
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tinycamper
/ June 14, 2019What a treat to see you here! I miss you! Where are you now?
The picture of Mikkey cracks me up, too! And, YAY! He is learning to be a bit more sociable.
How is Jezzie?
It’s a dual fuel one burner by Gas One, and I love it! The flame is infinitely adjustable! I have a nice two burner stove, but for some reason, I prefer this one. It’s just fun to cook on.
More and more people are camping with induction stoves. I cook on propane at home and love it. Maybe I just like the idea of cooking fires. 🙂
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Ranald M Bleakley
/ June 14, 2019I really enjoy your blog and the great photos that you post. We traveled for several years in an Aliner, which we loved, but have just moved up to a Winnebago Micro Minnie. We miss the compactness of the Aliner, but are thoroughly enjoying the extra space of the Winnie while still being a relatively small camper. If you wish, you can see some of our exploits at:
https://alinerrambling.blogspot.com/
Cheers,
Ranald
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tinycamper
/ June 14, 2019Hi, Ranald,
I wish I had known about the creeping crack sealer when we had our Aliner. Our windows did the same thing.
The Winnie sounds delightful. My husband wants one, but it will have to wait a while. 🙂
I’m glad you are enjoying the blog. I love doing it!
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janispaqu
/ June 14, 2019LOVE that photo of uber-relaxed Mikki!! Good for a morning grin. Hey, camping in the rain is still better than staying home. I am envious of your A/C!!!
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tinycamper
/ June 14, 2019I am still grinning at that photo. I took several. When he zonks, he zonks, but he outdid himself that time!
The A/C is incredible. Wish you had one (and the hookups to run it)!
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Ann
/ June 14, 2019🙂
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tinycamper
/ June 14, 2019❤️
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Horst
/ June 14, 2019Mikkey lives the life the way it was meant to be lived. :)). That Van does look GREAT… and to end the perfect adventure was that terrific meal…I can almost smell it. Thanks for sharing..Horst sends
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tinycamper
/ June 15, 2019We should all be as loved as Mikkey is! 🙂
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Jo Harmon
/ June 16, 2019Looks like a fun trip especialy for Mikkey. I wish I had room for an a/c but my space is small.
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tinycamper
/ June 16, 2019I will be glad when the weather is cool enough that I don’t have to lug it around!
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Mike and Gerri Jones
/ June 21, 2019I just really love your camper van!!! The AC came in very handy and it looks good sitting there!!! It’s been so hot here we haven’t been able to get outside especially with Mike wearing that hard collar brace! We have our Clam up but just too hot!!
Glad you enjoyed your camping even though the weather wasn’t always cooperating!! You are so good at identifying mushrooms!!!
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tinycamper
/ June 22, 2019Thanks, Gerri. I just sent you an email. 🙂
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