“Happy” New Year feels like a big commitment right now. How about an “Optimistic New Year?” Also, it seems that the nomads in us are getting antsy to travel again, but this area near Tacoma, WA has so much to offer and we love it!

Even More Budget-Friendly Activities

What a luxury to be on a military base as retirees! As we travel around this huge base (it’s an Army Post and Air Force Base combined, over six miles of exits off I-5), we are constantly reminded of the people around us who are actively serving our country.

We get to visit static displays of awesome airplanes just a few hundred yards from C-17’s and their crews actively being put through their paces, go to museums as we pass by soldiers loading large equipment on train cars, run on paths where our version of a run is technically NOT a run and signs warn of low flying aircraft, go to the fitness center and workout alongside people who are mandated to be in good shape, shop where uniformed personnel have priority in the cashier line during lunchtime…it’s humbling and slightly embarrassing at the fitness center…argh.

Lewis Army Museum

We finally visited the inside of the Lewis Army Museum. The building used to be a Salvation Army Inn, and they still have the check-in desk from nearly 100 years ago and a display of original room keys. The military history displays were as good as any museum we have ever seen with informative, creative and engaging displays.

Camp Lewis Post Cemetery

We have visited this peaceful cemetery before, but wanted to see it after being adorned with wreaths by the Wreaths Across America volunteers. We know from personal experience that hundreds and hundreds of people volunteer to lay these wreaths…so much so that one time we were scheduled to volunteer and they ran out of wreaths! We ended up helping clean up afterwards, but still felt useful. It is a wonderful program.

Bowling

We finally made it to the base bowling alley on a day that wasn’t occupied by leagues. We were joined by Leslie and Anthony which was a lot of fun! On the second game we all broke 100! Lofty goal…ACHIEVED.

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Our second trip to this amazing spot was unexpectedly crowded on a Tuesday! Then we realized that it was New Year’s Eve and people were off work and school. Boo! We picked up our local waterfowl expert (our daughter, Leslie) and walked several miles along the paths and boardwalk of this awesome place.

Nisqually is one of those places you could visit every week and see different/new birds and critters each time. And it’s beautiful! On this trip we saw, eagles (and nests), American Wigeons, Greater Yellowlegs, Herons, Sandpipers, Mallards, Pintails, Shovelers, Buffleheads, Northern Harriers, more birds that I cannot recall and a large rock full of the cutest Harbor Seals enjoying a rare sunny day in a PNW winter!

Military FamCamps & their (unwritten) RV Caste System

We have stayed at over 20 different military campgrounds (FamCamps) in our travels. I will note that the lack of consistency in upkeep is surprising, but overall they are a great perk for a retiree or others with base privileges.

We have noticed that there seems to be an unwritten RV caste system in military campgrounds…kind of like the lunchroom in the movie, “Mean Girls.” Here is the order: Air Streams (any age), new Class A motor homes, anything manufactured in Canada, new Super C’s, new 5th wheels, fancy camper vans/Class B’s, new Class C’s, unique solo camping configurations, new travel trailers…followed by the rest…”YOU CAN’T SIT WITH US!”

Small children seem to lower your caste station while small, yappy dogs will actually improve your caste status. Your military rank has nothing to do with any of this. People in state parks tend to be more down-to-earth, so you can pretty much reverse the caste order and increase the dog size in that case!

Planning Mode and Travel Costs

While we are enjoying all this easy living in a FamCamp, we are in the beginning stages of planning a cross-country trip this spring to visit family and friends (yay!). Our route will take us to see places and things we have not yet seen both on the way out and back while avoiding extreme weather and (hopefully) crowds while staying frugal.

If you’re curious, our biggest expense will be gasoline. We drive about three hours each travel day (towing the trailer). Our truck typically gobbles up about an entire tank of gas during those three hours. So each day we travel costs between $60-$80 (our experience so far) depending on gas prices. Terrain, traffic and wind can impact gas consumption, as well.

In theory, we have control of costs when it comes to entertainment, food and where we stay. Camping spots along the way will be either free or super cheap. If we avoid eating out (not many restaurants in the middle of nowhere, anyway) and stick to our “free things to do near me” Google searches, we should be fine!

Catio Corner

What is a nomad, we wonder? We are happy with food, heat, catio views, a clean litter box and, most of all, our Amazon boxes for naps. Our humans have their uses, but they know their place.