From Iowa, potential new Rockwood owner

[dakranii]

Hello,

I'm joining the community to ask some questions about a 2008 Rockwood Popup we're considering purchasing.

We're from the HUGE Des Moines metro area. I started out camping as a backpacker a decade+ ago, then migrated to more car/family camping. Now we have two little ones (3 and 1) with potentially more on the way, and I don't want to subject ourselves to the tent life with little kids.

So after much searching, I identified a great deal on a 2008 Rockwood Freedom 2318 popup. I'm hoping to purchase this month, but I'm working on getting my tow vehicle prepared for it.

We're planning to tow with a 2008 Dodge Caravan, 4.0L, towing package included.

I'll proceed to the appropriate forums to start asking questions. Thanks for having me!

Jason

[Wiscampsin]

Welcome to the forum Jason!

[nuisance]

Welcome, just to let you know that there is a rally planned in our neck of the woods. Frog-tober Fest in the Amana Colonies. I hope that you can make it to some of the rallies this year. The DH and I are from Cedar Rapids.
Again Welcome!!!!

[GalsofEscape]

Welcome from a happy Rockwood Popup owner in Maryland. Hope your purchase goes well and you have great camping adventures. You have found the right place to get your questions answered...

[TURBS]

Welcome !
As nuisance said hopefully you can make frog-tober fest.
We are 35 minutes east of Cedar Rapids.

Good luck with your purchase!

TURBS

oc's buddy

[dakranii]

Thanks!

Nuisance and f1100turbo - we might be able to, we head that direction often. My inlaws are in Anamosa and Central City, so we get there multiple times a year. Will likely camp at Palisades/Keplar at some point too. f1100turbo, you might be in the Anamosa area?

The Rockwood is actually in Clinton, so we'll be driving through to get there later this month.

GalsofEscape - I loved the Catonsville/Ellicott City area when we lived in DC. I climbed along the railroad tracks in EC a few times and we camped at Patapsco State Park a few times too. A lovely park.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by dakranii

Thanks!

Nuisance and f1100turbo - we might be able to, we head that direction often. My inlaws are in Anamosa and Central City, so we get there multiple times a year. Will likely camp at Palisades/Keplar at some point too. f1100turbo, you might be in the Anamosa area?

The Rockwood is actually in Clinton, so we'll be driving through to get there later this month.

GalsofEscape - I loved the Catonsville/Ellicott City area when we lived in DC. I climbed along the railroad tracks in EC a few times and we camped at Patapsco State Park a few times too. A lovely park.

We live on hiway 30 between Lowden and Clarence. "South of Anamosa"

Albeit we rode the wapsi river up to anamosa saturday on snowmobiles.

I grew up in DeWitt 12 miles east of clinton.

We like palasades park but we like lake macbride even better which isnt much further south of palasades in solon.
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Destinations/...?ParkID=610119



TURBS

oc's buddy

[GalsofEscape]

Well then howdy old neighbor. You must not have lived too close to dc if you know those areas. I have tent camped in the Hilton area of that park with the Boy Scouts. Just tried the Hollofield area for the first time this past fall with the PUP. Did not have the greatest weather, but we had a good time. Funny thing is the Hollofield area is about two miles from my house and that was the first time I have been in that part of the park. And I have lived here 23 years and drive right by the entrance almost every day. Go figure.

[GalsofEscape]

Btw, you mentioned you backpacked. Did you do any of the applachian trail while you lived back here?

[dakranii]

just the Annapolis rocks area in the Maryland panhandle. I wanted to do more, perhaps even a through-hike when we transitioned from dc to Iowa, but it didn't work out that way.

[GalsofEscape]

Nice. I have also done that area. My son has also talked about doing the through hike one day also. I still do day hikes, just can't do the pack anymore. Son looks at the PUP and says that it is not camping. LOL we do so much more camping with the PUP. Hope that holds true for you as well.