First Trip In Our Montana and Joani Got Snow!

This is a first trip in our new Montana 5th wheel and Joan and I couldn’t be happier. Before the winter season ended, Joan wanted to experience a little snow and we found some in east Tennessee in the Bristol / Tri-Cities area. We also needed a little downtime after several weeks of running wide open, plus time to try out the new features in the Montana.

All wasn’t just chilling out at the campground (no pun intended). Over the next few days we visited the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, a peek inside the Bristol Motor Speedway, and had meals at a couple favorite restaurants.

Also in the video, we share how we’re adapting to the new fit and feel of the Montana. It’s great, but it’s different. Spending 7 years and traveling over 50,000 miles in our Gateway, we’re adjusting to the new layout. A short update on how I’m now working as we travel, plus our kitties Mink and Molly wanted to share their input.

Joan Got Her Snow

Joan is happy to report that she was able to enjoy just a little bit of snow. For our friends up north, don’t laugh. In the video below we had a dusting on our first night. It made Joan happy to see the color in the trees and hills painted white. And it made me happy, that it was gone in 24 hours and I didn’t have to drive in it!

Working From The Montana

In the video below, I share my new workflow inside the Montana. Gone is the custom desk and the dual monitors, but with a minor investment into a high performance laptop and a couple large portable hard drive, work continues in my digital marketing business along with producing content for iLoveRVlife.

My desk now resides at the dining table. I have ample space to work with the laptop, small electronics and paperwork to get work done comfortably and efficiently. The MoFi 4500 continues to be important in connecting to the Internet and having plenty of bandwidth for both work and entertainment. At this time, we working with the MoFi supplied paddle antennas and will look at installing an external antenna as the need arises. For more information about our use of the MoFi 4500, CLICK HERE.

Our Kitties And The Montana

Mink and Molly are finding their space. Cats are creatures of habit and they quickly knew the Montana was different. On this first trip, they explored for a day or two until they got comfortable with the space. Once settled in, they claimed the couch next to the large back window for sun and watching the birds and squirrels. So far no complaints.

The litter box took some thought. Gone is the custom kitty on-suite I built behind the steps in the Gateway and this will not be an option for the Montana with the furnace located in this area. For now, we have a large covered litter box located in the main bathroom. It’s as though the spot was made for this – out of the way and easy to access for cleaning. We also purchased a handheld Shark vacuum for the occasional spot clean-up when Mink and Molly track litter in the floor.

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Raceway, and Place to Eat

I can’t visit the Bristol, TN/VA area without a trip to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. The museum does a great job sharing the origins of country music and its impact on so many types of music since. It was so much fun to see the instruments, stories, videos and even listened to many of the original recordings that have been preserved from their creation at the now famous Bristol Session of the 1920s.

Bristol is known for NASCAR and I had to stop by the track for a quick peek. The season has just started and I was able to view the track and maybe, just maybe, dirt track will again return to NASCAR.

We capped our visit with a stop at two favorites – Quaker Steak for wings and great dinner at the Mad Greek.

We’ll have future blogs on the campground and a tour of the famous Bristol Caverns.

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