As we come to the end of 2019, we celebrate our fourth year of full-time RV traveling and living. Two big events ... living for four months in MedellĂn, Colombia and purchasing Baby Minne Beest, our Aktiv 2.0 Class B camper van ... filled our days with amazing new adventures. We also realized that every new destination gifts us with new ways of seeing the beauty of the world around us.
By the Numbers:
Miles Traveled in Baby Minne Beest: 13,500
Miles per gallon: from 14 MPG (in the city) to 17 MPG (highway)
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| On the positive side, because of our smaller size, it is now possible to easily pull into any gas station, country cafe, or interesting site that may appear on our route. |
Number of Campgrounds: 24
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| While an overnight stay in a campground is often not necessary, it is wonderful to be able to fit into any size site and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us. |
Number of Driveway Hosts: 16
Heartfelt thanks đź’• to Piedad & Luis, Tami & Billy, Mary & Luke, Tiffany & Dave, Mary Beth & Gary, Kaleesha & Paul, Liz & Tim, Julie & Curt, Paul & Kay, Adam & Shannon, Joanne & Gary, Mary & Dale, Anne & Scott, Diane, Angela & Matt, and Barb & Doug for opening your driveway, home, and hearts to these wayward travelers. We appreciate your kindness and generosity!
Number of Random Boon-docking Street Locations: 25
Baby Beest is the perfect size to pull up behind the truck cab and settle in for the night. Street camping has become a convenient way to explore a new city and try out their breweries and restaurants. With our lithium battery system, we don't need to be ''plugged in'' every night, yet still have the ability to make a great cup of coffee in the morning.
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| We hit the boon-docking jackpot when we stopped for the night in Hill City, South Dakota. Sick-n-Twisted is a brewery, winery, pizzeria, and quiet boon-docking location all rolled into one! |
Number of AirBnBs: 2
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| We enjoyed all the comforts of home during a four month AirBnB stay in MedellĂn and a four day ''vacation'' in Cartagena, Colombia. |
Number of Habitat for Humanity Care-a-Vanner Builds: 4
Mankato, Minnesota
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Fredericksburg, Texas
Bunnell, Florida
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Fredericksburg, Texas
Bunnell, Florida
Number of States Visited for the First Time: 1
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| Texas! |
Number of States Revisited: 13
Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Louisiana, Alabama.
We have visited a total of 28 states during our four years of travel.
Number of New State Capitols Visited: 2
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| Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
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| Tallahassee, Florida |
This brings my total up to 18 state capitol buildings visited.
Of course, it's always fun to swing by the Minnesota State Capitol in St Paul whenever our Twin Cities bike rides lead us to the land of the Vikings.
Number of National Parks, Monuments, Forests,
and Historical Sites: 6
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| Badlands National Park, South Dakota |
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| Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota |
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| Big Bend National Park, Texas |
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| Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado |
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| Scott's Bluff National Monument, Nebraska |
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| Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, South Dakota |
Memorable Locations, Activities, and Sights Along the Way:
MedellĂn, Colombia: Botanical Garden, Arvi Parque, El Poblado, Comuna 13, Moravia, Spanish Classes, Ethnic Cooking Classes
Guatapé, Colombia
Cartagena, Colombia
Bogotá and Tenjo, Colombia
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| Yoga fun with friends ... in Spanish! |
Ave Maria Grotto; Cullman, Alabama
Metropolis, Illinois - Home of Superman
Bike Rides around Rochester and Minneapolis on our new Brompton folding bikes
Asthma Camp Nurse and Assistant at Camp SuperKids in Loretto, Minnesota
Bike Rider and Rest Stop Volunteer for RAM - (Bike)Ride Around Minnesota to benefit the Multiple Sclerosis Society
Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum; Walnut Grove, Minnesota
Camp hosts at Baker Park Reserve; Medina, Minnesota
Duluth and the North Shore of Minnesota
Corn Palace; Mitchell, South Dakota
Custer State Park; South Dakota
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| The Needles Highways ... Can you believe that Doug drove the Baby Beest through that narrow tunnel?? |
The Mammoth Site; South Dakota
Crazy Horse Memorial; South Dakota
Rocky Mountain Drives and Hikes with Friends; Colorado
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta; New Mexico
Luckenbach, Texas
National Museum of the Pacific War; Fredericksburg, Texas
San Antonio Riverwalk; Texas
The Alamo; San Antonio, Texas
Touring Houston and Galveston, Texas with friends
Panama City and Mexico Beach; Florida
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| The destruction is still evident two years after Hurricane Michael |
Wakulla State Park; Florida
Kayaking with the Manatees; Crystal River, Florida
Checking out the 500+ manatees at Blue Spring State Park; Orange City, Florida
Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Florida Campus
The Florida Keys; Florida
Our Favorites!
And the winner is ...
Favorite Campground: Chisos Basin Campground; Big Bend National Park, Texas
The sign on the six mile long steep and curvy road leading down to Chisos Basin Campground states: Not recommended for RVs over 24 feet. Very happy that we are now within the limits to explore this beautiful basin area. Surrounded by mountain vistas by day and millions of stars by night helped make this camping spot one of our all-time favorites!
Runner up: Curt Gowdy State Park; Cheyenne, Wyoming
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| Miles of scenic hiking and mountain biking trails |
Favorite Craft Brewery: Bogotá Brewing Company (BBC); Colombia
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| Enjoying a craft beer and Whopper on a open air patio in MedellĂn, Colombia. It does't get much better than this! |
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| Miscellaneous trivia: Doug now has 257 craft brewery coasters in his collection ... including his first ''International'' coasters from Colombia! |
Favorite Restaurant: Mission 20; MedellĂn, Colombia
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| Mission 20 was a fun place to meet up with friends when we were in MedellĂn. I didn't get any photos of the delicious BBQ ribs and craft beer, because they disappeared so quickly! |
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| A close second ... any breakfast, lunch or dinner created in a kitchen that I can take over when we are ''driveway camping'' with family and friends! |
Favorite Natural Area or Park: The never-ending display of colorful flowers and iguanas at JardĂn Botánico in MedellĂn, Colombia.
Runner up: Big Bend National Park
Favorite Church: Santa Maria de los Angeles; MedellĂn, Colombia
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| Vibrant music, beautiful decor, and a Spanish homily that got (a little) easier to understand with each passing week! |
Favorite Biking: Minneapolis Bike Trails
Favorite Tourist Attraction: Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour; MedellĂn, Colombia
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| Can't help but to fall in love when surrounded by such amazing artwork! |
Favorite ''Random Stop'': Beachside or lakeside or parkside or mountainside lunch spots that we find along the way
As we end our fourth year on the road, we are grateful for the
Everyday Blessings
that surround us!
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| Colombia's best from a sidewalk cafe, |
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| ... or a home brew made with love to start our day. |
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| Friends sharing the International language of a smile, |
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| ... or catching up with family that we haven't seen in a while. |
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| Hanging out with friends makes us feel so lucky, |
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| ... as does the sweet expressions of our new grand-puppy. |
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| We are grateful for the ability to always see ... |
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| ... that where God leads us, is where we are meant to be. |
What's in Store for 2020?
Our fifth year of travel is starting off much like last year. We are returning to Colombia for the winter months in pursuit of Spanish fluency while enjoying the gift of good friends and amazing weather. When we return in May, we will be heading back to Minnesota for a couple of months. After that we are hoping to head towards the Pacific northwest. It is always fun to have a vision but allow the details to fall into place as we go. For as we begin another year of travel, we are reminded that ...
Here's to you, our dear friends! Thanks for continuing to follow along with RVentures. It is our pleasure to share with you the perfect 2020 ''sights'' that surround us!
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I hope your 2020 is as good as your 2019. Marc and Kathy Tatone
ReplyDeleteGracias! Buenos viajes!
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