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Jenny's Travel Blog:
Stories from the road


A Roadtrek, a retriever, and a family move from Texas to Wisconsin - Sojourn On!
The call came mid-June 2025…“We need help moving!” Down in Lewisville, Texas, my aunt and uncle were packing up their 4-bedroom home, and it was proving to be a huge task. Could I help with the move? “Aunt Soo” and “Unky Bunky” are two of my favorite people on the planet, so without hesitation I answered “Yes!”
5 min read


Early days with my 1996 Roadtrek: upgrades and beautifications
New owner of an old camper van, Jenny Rule, tells about her early days making upgrades and exploring with her 1996 Roadtrek 170 Popular.
4 min read


I see camp people
It's that time of year when parents are planning ahead for the end of the school year and readying themselves for the vast open space of summer when the school age children in their lives once again become their all-day responsibility. (God bless you, teachers, every one. We appreciate you.) I'd like to make a suggestion to all those parents: Find a great overnight camp, find it now, do not pass GO, and do not hesitate to register your children for camp today . You may wonder
5 min read


Road Warrior Princess Buttercup goes to Pennsylvania
In retrospect, I truly can't believe how well it all went. There was not one incident of car sickness; no motel messes, no restlessness that couldn't be cured by a quick pit stop by the side of the road. Buttercup is a perfectly chill road warrior princess, and I can't wait to travel with her again!
4 min read


Second Car Camping Trip Overview - East Coast Swing
After celebrating my son Luke's graduation the weekend of May 5-7, I returned home to Whitewater and began packing for my EAST COAST SWING! SECOND CAR CAMPING TRIP - May 9 - 26, 2023 May 9: Packed up, gassed up, got an oil change, then hit the road. Kept feeling like I forgot something. I DID! My dressy clothes for Grace's graduation! (Not on my usual camping checklists.) I was only 15 minutes out of town. Drove back, threw the fancy clothes in the rooftop car carrier, hugg
4 min read


Summer of Graduations
One of the reasons I wanted to take a year off was so I could be front and center for family celebrations - especially the graduations of the next generation of Brightbill/Rules. As I planned my summer, these dates became central pillars to work around: May 6, 2023 - My son Luke earned his bachelor's degree from University of Wisconsin-Stout May 12, 2023 - My niece Grace earned her master's degree from Duke University June 11, 2023 - My niece Charlotte earned her bachelor's d
4 min read


Car Camping Trip Overview - South by Southwest Loop
FIRST CAR CAMPING SWING - March 15 - May 1, 2023: The overview of who I saw, what I did, where I went after packing my Packer blanket and heading out! (Click on hyperlinks for detailed blogs about each location.) March 15: Drove from Whitewater, WI to St. Louis, MO to see Gateway Arch NP, campground at Sam A. Baker SP near Patterson, MO March 16: Drove to Fontainebleau SP near New Orleans, LA - electric campsite March 17: Visited New Orleans, LA - if I visit again it will
7 min read
The Manifesto
March 2-8, 2023 Florida
March 10-12, 2023 Wisconsin
March 15-April 30, 2023: South by Southwest Car Camping
California
Utah
May 5-8, 2023 Wisconsin
May 9-26, 2023 South by Southeast Car Camping
May 31-June 5, 2023 Wisconsin (Lac du Flambeau)
June 13-17, 2023 Wisconsin (Fox Lake)
June 24-July 3, 2023 Lake Superior Car Camping
Aug 21-Sept 17, 2023 North by Northeast Car Camping
Sept 1, 2023 Mid-Year Pep Talk
Oct 20-Nov 8, 2023 North by Northwest Car Camping
January 22--> Puppy Era Begins
Details of my car camping lifestyle
Side Stories
Life After an Adult Gap Year
2025 and beyond
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