Melanie’s Decade Trip: Part 1
Seams Like a Story is taking a break from sewing to go on some summer adventures. Come along on a three part RV trip that was a decade in the making! In this post…our RV adventure at Indiana State Parks begins!
What is a Decade Trip?
When each of our grandchildren turn 10, Ed and I take them on a “Decade” trip (AKA “Skip-Gen” trip, no parents allowed) We choose this age because, according to the AARP article that inspired us, 10-year-olds are are old enough to take care of themselves (mostly), have fairly flexible schedules, and still eager to do things with their grandparents. When our oldest grandchild Michaela turned 10, we took her on a road trip to the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, and St. Louis Arch. The Pandemic postponed her sister Melanie’s trip. She’s a decade plus one now, but this is her year!
Preparations:
Some extra thought and planning went into this trip. Melanie is a bright, beautiful, energetic eleven-year-old whose smile lights up the room. seamslikeastory.com/melanies-tutu/ She loves Disney princesses and developed a passion for RVing after a family trip last year. Melanie has autism and is mostly non verbal. Though she can communicate through short, repeated phrases or words, she cannot carry on a conversation. It takes dedicated family members and a team of professionals to meet her social, educational, and physical needs. We wanted to make sure the Decade trip would be fun, safe, and appropriate for her. We decided to do an RV adventure to Indiana State Parks, each within a 50-mile radius of her home.
RV Newbies
Ed and I had been tent camping when our kids were young, but were RV newbies. I was nervous. We knew nothing about RVs. I had visions of my husband Ed turning into “Cousin Eddie” from the Christmas Vacation movie. (you know the scene… “Shi**er’s full!”) We searched an online RV rental site (Outdoorsy) and found a 28 foot, class C motorhome (listen to me, I sound like a pro now) that was close to my daughter Kelli’s home and available for the dates we wanted. When the big day arrived, Kelli drove Ed to the pickup site where the owner went over the essentials; how to hook up electricity, water, sewage, and other basic operations. After a quick spin around the parking lot, the owner declared Ed an official RVer and handed off the keys.
While We Wait:
Melanie knew we were are about to go RVing and she was concerned when Ed and Kelli left without us.
“Poppy and Mommy will get the RV and bring it here,” I say. “We’ll have lunch, then get in the RV.”
“Lunch… RV” Melanie repeats.
After lunch, she put on her winter hat and waited in her sensory swing by the window. It was a hot, humid Indiana day. Was the hat fulfilling a sensory need, or was it a fashion statement? Maybe both.
While we waited for the RV’s arrival, I looked over the mountain of stuff we were taking for our 5 day trip and checked my list. I swear, we took much less than this when we trekked across country with our 2 kids and camped with just a mini van, tent, Coleman cook stove, and cooler. Finally, the RV arrived. It looked much larger than it did on the website listing. Can we really handle this thing? My anxiety mounts.
And We’re Off!
After packing in armfuls of food and clothing, we buckle in, say our goodbyes and Melanie’s Decade trip begins. “Don’t expect a smooth ride,” Ed said as our hotel-on-wheels rattled out of the neighborhood. I hope that’s not a premonition. Kelli smiles and waves exuberantly from the driveway. She has the week all to herself.
Brown County State Park
We had gotten a late start. Thankfully, our first campsite was not far. Brown County State park in southern Indiana is known for dense forests and beautiful rolling hills. Once we checked in and found our spot, I jumped out and assumed my role as “She Who Waves and Yells Until the RV is Properly Parked.” I wasn’t very good at my job, but eventually we got the big rig situated to Ed’s satisfaction. Brown County State Park doesn’t have water or sewer hook ups on site, but the owner of our RV assured us we had enough water and sewer storage available for the night. We will try to be conservative with both. We plugged in the electricity and got the AC going.
Make Yourself at Home
Melanie was excited and immediately staked out her spot. She piled blankets, pillows, her favorite Disney Princesses, and her iPad onto the mattress in the sleeping loft above the cab. I showed her how to climb the ladder. To get down, I turned tummy-to-the ladder; but she preferred to go down facing out. That works, too. I watched as she set her iPad on the table and filmed herself going up and down the ladder.
She found a quiet spot outside and watched herself in the ladder-climbing movie repeatedly. This is typical for Melanie; she depends on her iPad. The movies she makes are windows into her world.
Playground Challenges
There are only a few foods that Melanie will eat. For this trip we have packed some of her favorites. She had toaster pancakes with peanut butter, milk, and a fruit cup for dinner. Ed and I made tacos from the meat we’d prepared at home. Melanie was curious and tried a few bites. After dinner, we walked to the playground and found a climbing structure with a ladder. She practiced her new climbing skills to get to the top, but was nervous about getting back down this wonky ladder. The “facing out” technique she’d used to get down from the loft in the RV didn’t work here.
The only other way down was to navigate the slats on the side of the structure. This was out of her comfort zone. “Poppy” came to the rescue, and coxed her to the edge of the platform. “I’ve got you, now jump.” he cajoled as he lifted her down. She showed little emotion, but I could tell she’d been scared. “No, jump.” she said as she walked away giving the climbing structure a dirty look over her shoulder.
And to All a Goodnight
Back in the RV, Melanie watched a Disney movie on her iPad in the loft while Ed and I played Gin Rummy at the dinette. Melanie was restless and had a hard time winding down. At 11:00, I said, “Finish the movie, then bed.” “Movie, bed” she repeats. She doesn’t protest as I help her get ready for bed. The water coming out of the bathroom faucet sputters. Unsure of our supply, we used bottled water to brush our teeth. Melanie has no hesitation in using the tiny toilet; fortunately that system seems to be working, though I think it smells like a port-a potty. PJs on, into the loft, lights out for all. Ed and I aren’t far away in the queen size sleeping area that pops out at the push of a button. I worried that I’d roll over and hit the button, scrunching us in our sleep, though Ed thinks that’s unlikely to happen.
We heard Melanie chatting and moving around for another 30 minutes. Then all was quiet. I was “asleep”, but aware, like when my kids were little. At 1:30 I heard Melanie coming down the ladder heading for her iPad. “No, iPad,” I say. “Go back to bed.” She grins slyly, scrambles up the ladder and jerks the curtain closed as if the night escapade never happened. I fell asleep to the sound of rain on the roof. Decade trip…day one… in the books. Everyone is fed, all in one piece, and happy. We have AC, and are out of the rain. I think this just might work.
Threads of Thought:
What are your camping stories?
Something to think about: The climbing structure at the campsite seemed like fun, until I watched Melanie try to navigate it. The only other option for play was a swing set with 2 “squeeze your butt” type seats. How could we make our state park playgrounds accessible to all children?
(and their grandparents LOL)
I’m a grandmother, retired teacher, blogger and author. You can read about my transition from teaching in “Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement, and Life http://amazon.com/author/debravandeventer/
A wonderful story!
Thanks Chris! It was an adventure for sure!
We camped the lower 48 states over many summers when I was a kid. Tents, no AC, sometimes only outhouses. Great adventures! I vaguely remember boats that were pedal-powered somewhere in the midwest.
You’re making great memories for your grandkids! They’re lucky to have you and Ed!
It sounds like you’ve had lots of camping experiences! We had fun tent camping when our kids were younger. Sleeping on the ground doesn’t appeal to me now!
Beautiful. The concept of a decade trip is wonderful. Melanie’s concept of making movies of herself and watching them is brilliant. I wonder if taking a movie of Ed climbing down from the structure and having her watch it would help her to try again. This will be a trip to cherish forever.
That movie idea was interesting…
Thanks for sharing. You make it feel like we are traveling right along with you. Being a retired teacher I enjoy watching your granddaughter as she tackles new challenges and enjoys new adventures. She looks like she is having a great time. Makes me want to travel and see so many things. 🥰
Mary from Iowa
Hi Mary, Thanks for your comments! I’m a retired teacher too!
With two grandsons, ages 5 1/2 and 3, doing a Decade Trip sounds like it would be something for us to do in the future. Thanks for the idea.
Yes! And you have several years to think about it. I think the key is making the trips equitable, but unique to each chils.