Hello, fellow travelers and paw-some friends! Looking to take your next road trip in an RV rental available near Chicago? Ben here, ready to spill the beans on our Virginia and Washington D.C. expedition in our 2021 Forest River Sabre 38DBQ fifth wheel RV, which may be rented. Picture Lake Campground in Petersburg, VA became our winter haven from January to February, and what an adventure it was!
Now, let me first share a nugget of wisdom. A tip for RV road warriors: pre-plan your gas station stops. Our 13 ft 6 in tall RV taught us this lesson in a tight spot during rush hour traffic when we were headed to Virginia. The overpass was too low for us to pull through the gas station lane to reach the exit. Cue an unexpected twist – we had to call the police to stop traffic on the 4-lane road in the middle of rush hour traffic so that we could safely back the RV into the street. Believe it or not, the cop thought it was quite the amusing spectacle!
The streets were bustling, and the small gas station, with only 2 pumps and 1 other customer besides us, posed a unique challenge. The parking lot was tight and couldn't accommodate the trailer all the way.
Fortunately, the cold wasn't as biting as Chicago's frosty embrace, and we found ourselves reveling in the vast beauty of the campground. Though water activities were on pause, the kids frolicked in the nearby park, and our outdoor movie nights, complete with the projector (yes, you can rent it!), turned the RV into a cinematic wonderland.
Our exploration extended to Petersburg National Battlefield, Fort Lee, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Edgar Allen Poe Museum, and even a jaunt to Washington DC. Muse Bar became our creative hub, where we participated in guided painting sessions based on templates (and guess what, our art is available for rent or purchase!). And, oh, the countless snapshots we gathered along the way!
The campground revealed a unique community of full-timer kids, offering valuable lessons about life on the road and homeschooling in RVs. A sudden rainstorm tested our resilience. Power outages, frozen rain, and closed amenities brought unexpected challenges. But fear not – winter sleeping bags (available for rent) and strategic battery management kept us snug until power was restored.
Our adventure taught us the importance of preparation, the beauty of unexpected friendships, and the joy of embracing the great unknown. Stay tuned for more tales from our RV diaries! Until next time, happy trails!
