Family Vacation

This summer we decided our family vacation would be spent in a rented pop-up camper from Dean Hill RV. Not only did we want to visit Marc's brother Billy and his family in Pennsylvania but we also wanted to return to Washington DC to visit our friends and family that were still there. Since, we timed our vacation with the birth of our newest niece Claire, we felt that bringing our own accommodations would not only make it easier for Billy and Katie but would also provide some entertainment for his older children. Plus we figured camping outside of Washington DC would feel more like a vacation then staying in a hotel. 

We loaded up the truck in the pouring rain and pulled out of our driveway heading to New Hampshire to pick up the camper. Thankfully we thought ahead and packed in plastic storage boxes so not only were things organized and kept clean but we also didn't have to worry about our stuff getting soaked. For good measure we also threw a tarp over everything. Once Violet was loaded in the back we were ready to hit the road! 

Our orientation to the popup camper was pretty straightforward and before we knew it we were on our way south. I have to admit the truck made it pretty easy to tow our camper. The weird part was checking your mirrors and constantly seeing a camper following you. Thankfully it only took a little while to get comfortable with the weight and length of the camper and before you knew it we were changing lanes with ease.

Our first stop was Billy's house in Pennsylvania. Luckily his backyard was large enough and had the perfect spot for our camper - a little space behind the play structure, surrounded by trees, that provided us not only with shelter from the sun but also a little bit of privacy. Violet settled right in.

Initially I was a little worried about what it would be like to take a 5 month old on a vacation in a pop-up camper but it couldn't have gone any smoother. We rented the clipper tent camper which had two queen size beds, a dinette, sofa, sink, stove and toilet. Although the camper sleeps six I really doubt we could have had anymore then the three of us in there considering everything we brought with us and the fact that Violet was sleeping in a pack and play. Had she been smaller and better at co-sleeping it would have been a different story. But as it was we used the dinette as the surface upon which to put her pack and play and the second queen bed held all of our luggage and other supplies - including a fan to help keep it cool.

at our campsite in Bull Run National Park (Manassas, VA)

Cozy - our bed behind the curtain on the left, Violet's bed on top of the dinette,
stove, sink and second guest bed full of our stuff

Sleeping area and sofa

Plugging into electricity at the national park and running an extension cord to our camper at Billy's house allowed us to not only run a fan but also allowed us to use our video monitor to keep an eye on Violet after she went to bed. The curtain between our beds was super helpful to keep her from seeing us and wanting to play in the early hours of the morning. Lastly the pack and play doubled as a fantastic place to make sure she was safe while we were just hanging out at our campsite.

At Billy's house we spent our time hanging out, playing games, reading books, eating delicious food and catching up. It was so much fun not only meet Baby Claire for the first time but to spend time some time with Billy, Katie, Elise and Will. I especially enjoyed watching Marc not only be a hands on dad but a hands on uncle.

After a couple days in Pennsylvania we packed up and headed to Washington DC. We were able to squeeze in visits with all of our good friends who were around that weekend and spent some quality time with Marc's cousin Jess. Marc and I were both excited to go to the larger Air and Space Museum out by the airport so that we could visit the space shuttle.

Violet may not look that excited but I'm pretty sure she was impressed by it all. I was grateful that we had finally invested in a stroller - it was by far the most used item in Washington DC. Violet was even able to take a nap in it which allowed us to slowly wander around the museum at our pace instead of trying to cram it in at her pace. Another fun part of our trip was being able to see my good friends John and Paige whom I've known since high school. We stopped by their house for dinner where we met their newest addition little Miss Mary for the very first time and saw their older sons for the first time since they were babies.

After a couple days in Washington DC it was time to pack up again and head north. We broke up our drive home by stopping again at Marc's brother's house in Pennsylvania before heading back to Vermont. It was such a fun trip I really can't wait to rent a pop-up camper again. As you can see from these photos the fresh air was great for us all to catch up on sleep!