Chicago RV Show, Now We Know

Well, I have been talking about going to the Chicago RV Show in the last couple of posts and we did that on Saturday. We looked only at 5th wheels since that is what we plan to purchase when we get ready to retire in early to mid 2015. We saw high end, mid range and low end rigs. After reviewing the prices, floorplans, options and the specifications of all those we saw we have determined that the Sanibel 3500 is the one within our price range, has the specifications for full timing, the quality in construction and the floorplan we like the best. Now I'm not saying that this decision might not change in the future before we pull the trigger but I have been to the Chicago RV show for the third year in a row and the Grand Rapids RV show this year and we just have not seen another 5th wheel IN OUR PRICE RANGE that really meets our wants and needs like this one. Are there better rigs out there? I'm sure there might be but we feel like we have seen just about every manufacturer out there right now and for our money we like the Sanibel. I've searched a number of forums and the general consensus I have seen is "the best rig for you is the one that fits your wants and needs". This one does that for us. Going to Chicago and seeing the Sanibel again after our first impression in Grand Rapids confirms our sense of knowing. Working toward retirement and it won't be long.  

Side trip to Holland. MI

As I mentioned in my last post we had a great time at the Grand Rapids RV show last month and on the way home we decided to make a side trip to Holland. MI. About 3 years ago we rented a condo just down the street from the Holland State Park on Ottawa Beach Rd and were joined by our daughters, their spouses, our son and the grandchildren. All together that is 11 of us. The condo was three stories with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths and we needed them all. The state park beach is large with plenty of room to spread out a blanket and get some sun and enjoy Lake Michigan. Of course we did this in June when the temperatures were warm and sunning and swimming are expected. The condo had a nice pool right in front of our 3 story condo. Unfortunately, I can't find those pictures but the pictures I got last month are a stark contrast to the weather we had in the summer. On the way home we ran into some intermittent snow showers and the wind was really blowing. We saw the exit to the state park and found our way back to Ottawa Beach Rd and parked in the parking lot.

This is the view of Lake Michigan looking out our windshield. I think the wind was blowing about 35- 40 mph. I stayed in the car to take pictures but there were a few brave souls that ventured out by the pier.

Here is a closer view of the waves rolling down the pier

 

Sitting in the car the snow would come and go and with the wind blowing so hard it was difficult to see very far forward at times. Not only was the snow blowing but the sand was really whipping too.

This is a view of the canal that connects Lake Macatawa to Lake Michigan. Not much of a view with the snow, sand and wind. As long as we stayed in the car it was actually sort of pretty.

 

This is the view looking back toward Lake Macatawa

 

 

There's a campground(Holland-Lake Macatawa) back about a 1/4 to 1/2 mile from the beach area with electric service only and some sites have 50 amp but it is pretty close quarters and would be difficult to get large rig into a site.

 

We really enjoyed our stroll down memory lane and thinking about all the different things we did with the family. Boy what a difference the weather makes. Fortunately the roads were not bad(mostly just blowing snow) and by the time we got to the IN border and into IL the snow had stopped and it was smooth sailing. Looking forward to spring and getting the camper out.

 

Oh yeah... We're planning on going to the Chicago RV show next weekend. Got to keep looking for that perfect rig to go full time in. We invited our younger daughter in IN and her husband to meet us so she is trying to get the weekend off from work. I know we'll have a good time and I think they will too. We'll have some lunch together while we are there. So many great restaurants to choose from. Well wish us luck on narrowing down the search. Ready to retire and it won't be long.