Chateau de Kate

This past weekend, Steve and I (along with our "kids," Camper & Pilot) went down to West Virginia for a short getaway.  Our main motive for going down south was to bring our RV, otherwise known as Kate, back up to our house in Pennsylvania.  We brought along some new wheels for Kate, and Steve got to work putting them on as soon as we got down there.  Kate has been residing in West Virginia for the past 2 years, so it was time we brought her home. 

While we were down there this time, I decided to take lots of pictures of Kate's homey interior.  I figured I would take you all on a pictorial tour of our lovely home-away-from-home.  I've described Kate to many friends, and while I think my descriptive terms are accurate, a picture is a much more powerful method to get my point across.  So!  Without further ado... onward to Chateau de Kate!

The main door into our mobile humble abode.



Come on in... watch your step--and the garbage.



To your left you will find our comfy sitting area.  The cushions are covered with a scratchy material, so I use blankets to cover and soften the couches up.



And here is our entertainment center.  The brown curtains are new...ish.



Watch the dogs!  It's tough not stepping on each other in this small space.



Our upscale 70's decor kitchen.  It's the first thing you walk into when you enter Kate.  I didn't want to start there though... I thought it would have been tacky. :)

This is our dining room, which we NEVER dine in.  It pretty much exists to hold our sh*t.



To the left of the dining room table is the toilet!  Yes, the bathroom is about the size of a coffin.



And the shower.  It can't be used because it would be impossible to actually clean yourself in it.

Once you exit the toilet and hang a Louie, you will find yourself at the wheel of Kate.  Please ignore our grey plastic storage bins... they are a necessity to store our bedding since mice get into Kate all the time.

And finally, this is where we sleep, right above the front seats of Kate.  It's not too bad... very cozy!

I can feel the jealousy coming from you as you view our vacation home on wheels!  lol 

I know I make fun of Kate (it's too easy!), but really, she is quite nice to have.  Really, she is!    It definitely beats sleeping outside in a tent, especially when it rains.  And believe it or not, Kate has improved since I've been with Steve (imagine that!).  I've tried my hardest sprucing her up, but Kate is what she is.  A 1970's Shasta RV.  Steve loves this RV more than just about anything.  Kate has taken him to Mississippi and Colorado.  She has sheltered him from many storms.  She has been his symbol of freedom for years.  And because of his love for Kate, I can't help but love her on some level, too.  She holds lots of great memories, and we keep making new ones in her, too.

Pilot & I in bed early morning when I had just gotten up.

Camper & I on our way out for a hike.

The family!

We managed to safely get Kate and ourselves home this past Sunday.  She didn't make it easy on us, though.  Steve broke down a few times.  It got a little hairy in some spots (imagine this: going 25 mph on Interstate 70... yes, my life was flashing before my eyes).  Kate is not a reliable method of transportation.  We plan on finding a place closer to home for her. 

So!  There you have it!  Thanks for visiting Chateau de Kate!

Peacing out,
Nikki

Back Home

We made it home... but our RV (Kate) did not.  Never a dull moment in our lives, let me tell you. 

So, we head off to West Virginia early Friday afternoon (we left a little bit later than we initially wanted to because Moo Moo, our cat, refused to come inside) and get there around 4pm. 

Steve and I on our way down south!

Pilot and Camper in the back seat looking miserable (I just love Pilot's face!  So irritated!)

We round up Kate and begin our journey to the campground we want to go to.  Kate, however, has different plans.  As I'm driving behind Steve (who is driving Kate), Kate's rear left tire gives out and BOOM! there goes the tread.  We pull over and assess the damage.  The tire is mainly intact, aside from losing the tread.  We manage to make it to a closer campground safely and stay there. 



Our car and Kate at Ray's Campground in Hico, WV

I guess things happen for a reason, and although I'm not exactly sure why, Kate is just not ready to come back home to Pennsylvania.  I can't really say I'm sad she didn't make it home.  I do love where we stay.  It's so beautiful and peaceful.  And I don't have to look at her sitting in my driveway! :) 
Steve and I had a great time.  It was really relaxing, just the two of us (well, 4 of us when you include our dogs).  We went hiking and swimming.



One of the trails we hiked in Summersville.  Look at the flowering bushes!  Loved them!




Off a cliff on Summersville Lake

 We took naps, I read an awesome book (The Glass Castle), and hung out by the campfire.  I ate a ton of S'mores!

Me and Pilot (and Kate in the background!)

This was probably one of the most relaxing trips to WV I've ever been on.  All of the other times I had visited before, I was working my job in HR and I was constantly stressed.  It seemed going down to WV at that time was just another added stressor.  I could never fully relax.  Now I'm not longer working my HR job and I was finally able to appreciate just being in the moment down there.  It was really nice!

Steve kayaking with Pilot and Camper swimming close by.

All in all, I'm glad we took the time and made the trip.  I have some new inspiring pictures and ideas for future paintings, and I feel like I'm ready to take on my very first art show with a clear mind.  I love being reminded that my family is the most important thing in life, and I get such a charge seeing them happy. 

Time to go and eat something (starving!).  Talk to y'all soon!
Peacing out,
Nikki

West Virginia Bound

Time to take a much needed break and head south to West Virginia.  Wild and wonderful, about 4 and a half hours away, West Virginia.

At this point, you might be saying to yourself, "Great, a break.  But... um... West Virginia???" 

Yes, West Virginia. 

Steve owns an RV, and it is currently parked at a spot close to the New River Gorge.  It's been almost a year since we've gone down there to visit the RV (we've named her "Kate"), so our trip is long overdue.

A little back story about the RV: Steve received Kate, a 1978 Shasta, as payment for a roof installment he did about 5 years ago.  Ever since then, Kate has been the apple of his adventurous eye.  He's gone to New Orleans after Katrina, then back to Pennsylvania, and then all the way to Salida, Colorado (AND back to Pennsylvania).  Now Kate currently resides in West Virginia.  It's time to bring Kate back home with us, so that is the big reason we've decided to head south this weekend. 

God, help me.

Kate is an RV that just won't quit.  I guess they built them solid back in '78.  She's survived a complete engine transplant, done by Steve and his brother, Bill.

My relationship with Kate has been bittersweet to say the least. 

Me giving Kate a hug in Salida, Colorado (2008)

She's taken Steve away from me when we first met (he headed off to Colorado to be a raft guide).  But, he did end up coming back home to Pennsylvania, and we are together now.  A big plus is Kate keeps you warm and dry when the weather turns to sh*t.  She is much better than sleeping in a tent.  However, Kate is very small, has a funky odor that doesn't quit even after you scrub, and she constantly invites little creatures in when we aren't staying there.  Gross.

Today should be interesting.  I'm not sure what I'll find when we arrive at our destination.  All I know is I will be cleaning her out today, trying to make her comfortable for our 2 day stay in her.  We will (hopefully) be bringing her back home with us on Sunday.  Our plan is to have her parked somewhere closer to home (4 and a half hours is REDONK!).

It will be nice to take a step back this weekend and relax a little before my art show.  Next weekend is going to be insanely busy for me and Steve.  Plus, I need some new inspiration, and I know I can find some of that in West Virginia.  There are some beautiful spots down there waiting to be discovered.

Time to get ready to go!  Have a great weekend!

Peacing out,
Nikki