Recently, Jim and I had a conversation about the portrayal of RV life on YouTube and reality TV. Often, YouTube shows RV life as a constant travel and overwhelming sightseeing experience. While we do enjoy watching many RV couples on YouTube, it’s important to remember that their lives are only a small part of the whole picture. We get to travel along with them and see some incredible places across the United States, but we also learn valuable tips and tricks along the way. On the other hand, we’ve also witnessed many instances where things don’t go as planned.

We’ve been at Wayne Fitzgerald State Park for the past two weeks, making it our fourth time here. Tomorrow, we’ll be heading home. There aren’t many activities or attractions in the area. There aren’t any particularly interesting places to visit. There aren’t any really cool towns nearby, unless you count Sesser, where the annual Testicle Festival is the main attraction. Yes, it’s a real event. We’ll be on our way home when the festival takes place. Oh dear!

So, why do we visit this place? It’s because it’s a peaceful haven, quiet, and teeming with wildlife. Every year, we’ve been fortunate enough to witness the presence of deer, turkeys, skunks, and an abundance of hummingbirds. I always make sure to set up a hummingbird feeder during our stay. It’s a delightful sight to watch them gracefully dance around the feeder, and I feel a sense of fulfillment knowing that I’ve provided them with a little extra treat during our visit. This year, we were delighted to welcome a group of hawks and a gopher/groundhog to our list of visitors.

We come here to enjoy the lake views, which are beyond amazing. We always camp on the points, peninsulas that jut into the lake. It seems to be cooler at these sites and the views can not be beat. Other campers will ride or walk down to the points to watch unforgettable sunsets. They truly are beatific. God has touched this place with his Hand.

Jim loves kayaking in Rend Lake, exploring the shores and getting some exercise. However, not every day is perfect. Sometimes, the weather turns, and we face rain and strong winds. We’ve had several days with winds easily 35-40 mph, which can be dangerous for kayaking. So, Jim has to stay on the shore and enjoy the scenery.

Yesterday, we watched as the winds picked up and dark, scary clouds rolled in. Jim noticed some slight rotation in the clouds, and we decided to eat inside just in time. Torrential rains and winds made it an indoor night, and we even lost electricity. But that’s not a problem for us because we’re completely prepared for off-grid power.

We’ve had several days where we’ve had to stay indoors due to strong winds, but this one was a bit more intense. Today, the wind has picked up even more, so we’re back inside again. Sometimes, it’s better to look out your backdoor than to be outside.