It’s the last day of the Philly Rv Show at Oaks and so many happy faces today. I think many are finding the “the One”. That dream RV they’ve been looking for. We like to ask people “See anything good?” And we heard many time yesterday “Yeah, my new RV — I got one.” This statement was accompanied by the biggest smile.
If you believe in signs, today is the day to come to the show. When we drove up here today — the sun is shining, the construction on 422 was gone and there are wine and chocolate vendors, too! So, if you find the “One” today — please come share your good news with us. We are RV fans too! And if you need any help taking care of your prizes, come on by — we got room.
We continue our countdown to the Greater Philadelphia RV Show and the excitement is building for the HD Indoor Storage Team. We love RVs a and we love going places in our RVs. That’s why we built HD Indoor off Exit 31 of the PA Turnpike because it’s easy to get to the Mountains, Shore, and More. But, that is for www.hdindoorstorage.com. This is about the RV Show coming to our neck of the woods in Oaks, Pa. And if you haven’t been to the Philly RV Show before, you will be happy to know what else there is to discover.
RV Show Excitement: #2 Campgrounds
Have an RV — will travel. And one of the many perks of our area is great campgrounds. There is great destination inspiration at the RV Show. We were very RV focused when we went last year and were pleasantly surprised to see some of our favorite Camping Spots at the show. And this year we look forward to check-in with our Old Friends and find some new getaways.
Old Friends
Enjoying the Brandywine River at Philadelphia/West Chester KOA
Philadelphia/West Chester KOA is a favorite for us. It is close which means that enjoying our RV and outdoors can be a reality on a weekend that may be packed with other obligations. Some come far and wide because of its close proximity to Philadelphia and ability to accommodate day tours to the City of Brotherly Love. We love the location on Brandywine Creek where you can canoe and fish. The owners are always updating to keep the facilities top-notch. We hope to check in with them at the show to hear the latest. Last year, we got the early news of a stunning store remodels. Hey Gary, what’s new?
Camping up at Blue Rocks
Unreal Scenery
Blue Rock’s Family Campground is so unique. It’s located near Hamburg, PA (that’s right, near Cabela’s — make time for a visit). It has an amazing Boulder Field left behind by a receding glacier from the last Ice Age. We were able to camp right up against it — it is unreal scenery. There are great hiking trails from within the campground that let you hook-up to the Appalachian Trail. If you really enjoy Hiking, it’s worth taking a drive to nearby Hawk Mountain as well. But, it is really worth looking for them at the Philly RV Show because last year they brought a classic car and vintage trailer — a must see!
New Friends
So much left to discover! We are always looking for new finds in the Poconos. We have not really explored Western Pennsylvania. And while we are no stranger to the Jersey Shore, we haven’t camped there yet. So, we are on the hunt for some new Campgrounds this season and now is the time to plan. Hey Campgrounds — if you are going to be at the Philly RV Show, let’s hear about it. And if you know of any great destinations, give us your favs!
Could there be a #3 item of RV Excitement? Stay tuned to find out.
It’s a week away from the Greater Philadelphia Show and we are very excited here at HD Indoor Storage. As you probably figured, we love RVs. That’s why we built HD Indoor with wide aisles, pull-through units, on-site dump station — we could go on and on. But, that is for www.hdindoorstorage.com. This is about the RV Show coming to our neck of the woods in Oaks, Pa starting March 1st. As RV Fans, we went last year and there are 4 things we are looking forward. I’m going to start from the top…
RV Show Excitement: #1 RVs
Hold on, Captain Obvious — I will break this down further: New Model Year RVs, Great RV Deals, and Undiscovered RVs.
New Model Year RVs
There are some exciting things happening in RVs in 2018. Many companies are introducing new floor plans — like Thor, Jayco, and Keystone. The variety of sizes is expanding. More Class A options in the under 30ft category from Coachmen and Fleetwood. And new Builders entering new categories, like Tiffin offering a Class C Motorhome. Although it looks like a Class B+ to us, similar to what Airstream and Leisure Travel Vans offer. If anyone can pin that down, let us know. Is that like a “Pony car” vs. “Muscle Car” debate?
What you get inside is ever changing, I never thought a washer and dryer was even a possibility — saw it last year. I’ve heard there are more builders offering two full-baths in 2018. Mind blown!
Unlike many car shows where you just admire from afar, you can walk away with a great deal on an RV at the Greater Philly Show. You may be lucky enough to find “the one” by the end of the weekend and make it yours. Or you could follow our path and find a great dealer to work with. And get “the one” not too long after. Either way, the show is a great way to educate yourself and comparison shop. You want a new RV with no regrets. We had our neighbors attend last year, like Fretz Rv and Camper’s Inn RV.
Undiscovered RVs
This is a fun one. These RVs in a class of their own that you have never seen before. I was blown away by the tiny trailers last year. They can be pulled by most vehicles and pack a lot in a small space. Looking forward to seeing what is BIG in tiny this year. This fun article RV Trends in 2018 for the Adventure Hungry Traveler can be your Scavenger List for the upcoming show.
And that’s all for #1, next of #2 — What do you think it will be?
Took a field trip on Friday to HD Indoor Storage to get an update on the ongoing construction of our Best-in-Class Facility. And what a ride! The HD Indoor family is spread out a bit in our neck of the woods of Pennsylvania. While some live nearby in Montgomery County, I live near West Chester about 10 minutes from the PA Turnpike. It took me about 40 blissful minutes to get to the site and here are my thoughts from the road…
Location #1: Turnpike Easy Breezy
I talked about upgrading over the summer from a trailer to a motorhome — and we did it! We took an Epic Road trip this summer. And yes, I stood at the foot of Pablo at South of the Border. While I adore the new Motorhome, it has its challenges: It is bigger, taller, wider than our old set-up. And on the open road, it’s a dream. But, navigating some backroads to a campground get-away can be a little stressful.
But, as I jumped on the Turnpike and headed up the Northeast Extension. I thought “This is a breeze!” Three lane highway –I’m in heaven. And off the Lansdale Exit 31, is populated with Industrial Parks. Industrial Parks = Trucks = Big Rig Friendly Roads. Every second is an eternity on a narrow, winding road in the motorhome. So, getting to HD Indoor is a quick and EASY ride.
Location #2: Good Neighbors!
Another advantage of HD Indoor Storage is the neighborhood. And I don’t just mean the neat and clean Industrial Park it is located in. Within minutes of 630 Hagey Road, Souderton you can find the following help for your RV, Boat or Classic Car…
Indian Valley Camping Center
3400 Bethlehem Pike, Souderton, PA 18964 http://www.ivccrv.com/
Distance: 3.9 miles/9 minutes
Highway Marine Service
875 N West End Blvd, Quakertown, PA 18951 http://www.highwaymarine.com/
Distance: 14.6 miles/23 minutes
Mustang Barn
561 Wambold Road. Souderton, PA 18964 http://www.mustangbarn.com/
Distance: 2.0 miles /4 minutes
I wish I could say we didn’t come back from a trip with a problem from time to time. It is nice to have someone nearby to help. There was a tire pressure issue in South Carolina that I wish I had 3 RV providers nearby, but that is a story for another day. (Makes me “tired” just thinking of it — Ok, moving on….)
Location #3: On the way to the Mountains, Shore and Bay…
HD Indoor Storage is on the way to many great destinations. I made these nifty graphics to show how central we are to fun!
Being on the way to so many great places, changes how you think about storage. Instead of packing your RV away and saying “Good-bye for the winter.” You are saying, “See ya soon!” Because when ideal conditions hit with indoor storage — you are on the road, on your way to fun. Remember Christmas 2015? I do — I have the pictures of the kids in shorts in the backyard. This year chestnuts roasting by the campfire can happen.
Those are my thoughts from my ride to HD!
Look for my construction update — you can be taking that easy ride to our great location soon!
So while some members of the HD family were “hitting the road in their Winnebago” this summer, others were raising the roof — the HD Indoor Storage Roof! One word to describe the new facility is: SMART
September is Back-to-School. And if our Project Manager had to write a Back-to-School essay “What I Did On My Summer Vacation…”, it would start like this:
I spent my summer building the best indoor storage facility.
Extra Credit: Construction Pics
Why share construction pictures? Because we are proud of HD Indoor Storage. And there are things you can see in these pictures that you won’t be able to see when we are done. Some places may want to keep what goes on behind the walls a secret. See why our facility makes the Honor Roll…
Let’s Get Schooled on Radiant Heat
Unlike many other indoor storage facilities, HD Indoor Storage has radiant heat. We use a radiant floor heating system, warm water flows through flexible, durable crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) tubing that is embedded in the concrete floor. The warmth radiates up. Radiant heating ensures that cold spots are avoided and room temperatures are more consistent. Because radiant heating does not circulate air, airborne particles are reduced. And you don’t have hot air blowing on the finish and decals of your vehicles which can cause them to peel and yellow. Protecting your investment is our priority and there is a lesson on Economics.
Look at this tubing — a work of art.
We Did Our Homework: Wiring
I had a teacher that said, “Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance”. She would give us a gold star if she saw our wiring. We made sure each unit is wired for a 15 amp service outlet, lighting and 24 hour monitored smoke and heat protectors. That is that is the benefit of new construction. You don’t have to compromise and retrofit solutions — you can “Properly Prepare”. All of this is encased in steel and stone — Pretty-Smart!
Stay tuned for more A+ reports. We can’t wait to have you join us at the Best-In-Class facility, HD Indoor Storage.
Plenty of Fun at the 18th Annual PPG Syracuse Nationals for Hot Rodders and Custom Car Owners. After seeing these pics, I am marking my calendar for next year. 8000 cars! Definitely worth the trip. Don’t keep those beauties out in a Syracuse winter. I know just where to park ’em: www.hdindoorstorage.com http://www.hotrod.com/articles/2017-syracuse-nationals-massive-photo-gallery/
I’ve got a case of wanderlust, which simply means “a strong, innate desire to rove or travel about”. The term comes from mid-1800s German. I may have a particularly bad case because I really want to hit the road in a RV with a pantry full of pretzels and a fridge full of bratwurst and beer. Hey, let’s go everywhere…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kGHmIZ4IUY
Camping Trip Vs. Road Trip
I look at our trips in two categories: Road Trip and Camping Trips. In my mind, it is about the journey vs. the destination. We have had some great RV trips this season, but they would fall in the “Camping” category. We traveled less than 2 hours. We hunkered down in the campground till we left a couple days later. Great time, fits well in a weekend.
Road trips take more time –at least they do for us and our 4 kids. These are farther and when you “stop and smell the roses” – you take in the sights along the way. And if you have a lot of time, you can recreate the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup of trips both Road and Camping – two great trips that go great together. (PS. Camping at Hershey next – can you tell I’m ready?)
Road Trip Inspiration
So, if you are ready to hit the road. I found this fun link with lots of inspiration: 75 Road Trip Attractions. There are some great picks from our neck of the woods in Pennsylvania, like Frank Lloyd Wright’s House on Kentucky Knob to where Route 66 ends at the Santa Monica Pier in California. And in between, some fun stops I will add to my route like the Fast Fiberglass Mold Graveyard in Sparta, Wisconsin and the Route 66 Arcade Museum in Atlanta, Illinois.
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT’S HOUSE ON KENTUCKY KNOB Photo credit: Martina C./yelp.com
Beauty Is In The Eye Of The Beholder
Photo credit: Courtesy of wikimedia.org
So, I also can across this link: The Worst Tourist Traps In Every State. And to some, this may read as “Stay Away!” I can’t resist. Others must feel the same way because South of the Border in Hamer, South Carolina makes both lists. And while it may not be a destination, the World’s Largest Ball of Twine in Cawker City, Kansas is definitely worth a stop.
As always, I leave you with some distractions until your heart can wander. If you cannot quell your wanderlust right away, a good Road Trip Flick may do the trick. My “go-to” is National Lampoon’s Vacation. I really don’t think we need much explanation here — a definite Road Trip Classic.
National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983) IMDb
But, another Flick worth the Road Trip is Pee Wee’s Big Adventure. This ride will get you a glimpse of the Cabazon Dinosuars in Palm Springs, California and the Alamo — deep in the heart of Texas!
Hello Camping Season! The RV is out of storage and we just returned from our first trip. Unfortunately, the weather was not ideal. It rained a lot. And the pristine condition that we left the RV in when it went into it’s winter slumber is now covered in mud. We are still trying to get the tent ends to dry out, but the sun has been very shy this May. Once again, the opening on HD Indoor Storage cannot come soon enough — I wouldn’t be waiting for third day to dry outside. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not sour on our RV camping. The right attitude and packing can make the difference.
Camping Requires Letting Go of Perfection
I think the greatest lesson from camping is that it will not be perfect. It may not be what you expect. But, if you can let go and roll with it – great things can happen. Despite the weather it was a good trip. A little rain can slow things down. But, a good conversation can take off, an old board game has a new life and you remember how satisfying a puzzle can be.
And while that week was never without incident — on one trip we lost a tent into the lake and my dad sunburned the bottom of his feet — it was always worth it in the end.
But, Don’t Leave Everything Up To Chance
“Letting go” is easier when you have some options, like a few board games or puzzles. Remember the Scout Motto of “Be Prepared” — think through some situations that might occur, so that if they come up, you’re covered. I enjoy our RV because I have the room to tuck away those necessities that smooth the bumps in a trip. My tweezers came in handy this last trip when a nasty splinter appeared. Poison Ivy Wash was a lifesaver last summer. And there is a basket of sunscreen, bug spray and itch cream that are along for the ride for the season.
What Is Your Camping “Necessity”?
I can do without a lot of things. And I have weathered, quite a few unpleasant scenarios (i.e., nursing a little camper’s late night stomach bug while dry camping). But, I have found one thing that can make or break me is Coffee. To be a little quirkier, iced coffee. I find I can weather almost every storm if I have my iced coffee. So, after our first season of camping, I made sure I had a coffee maker and I pack ice or ice trays for the freezer. My fellow campers appreciate this commitment.
Think about one or two things that might make you a bit more comfortable? Your pillow, a camping chair with a footrest, chocolate. I found this link with new camping gear suggestions. I think the canned wine may be a new camping necessity.
I’m looking forward to a Camping Season full of adventure and challenges. As always tips are much appreciated!
CABAZON DINOSAURS © Atomazul/shutterstock
