Hey friends! After a little break, we’re back with a new episode of Off the Beaten Path but Not Lost! In Episode 140, we’re catching you up on all our recent adventures. From exploring free campgrounds in Nebraska to navigating a blizzard in New Mexico, it was a fun drive south to Yuma, Arizona.
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Where We’ve Been—free campgrounds in Nebraska
Stromsburg, Nebraska – Buckley Park Campground
Perks: It was free but had full hookups—power, water, and a dump station.
Quirk: Close to a train line, so expect some traffic noise.
Stromsburg, Nebraska—Buckley Park Campground is one of the free campgrounds in Nebraska that stands out. It offers full hookups while embracing small-town charm. The town, known as the “Swede Capital of Nebraska,” is home to less than 1200 people. They still celebrate their Swedish heritage.
Word has it that the town offers the chance to savor lutefisk or watch Maypole dancing. The small town has a Swedish festival annually.
While Buckley Park had its quirks, like the occasional train noise, the amenities made it a standout spot. The 50-amp power and drinking water access were impressive, especially for a free campground. The playground and open green spaces were perfect for kids and pets to enjoy. Tony even managed to get our Starlink working seamlessly despite the surrounding trees.
If you’re planning a stay, it’s worth noting that Buckley Park has two sections. The main loop, closer to the road and train tracks, offers convenience but can be noisy. The second section, further from the tracks, provides a quieter experience and is closer to a large community water park (seasonal). Although the water park was closed during our visit, it looked like a fantastic spot for families in warmer weather.
Plainview, Nebraska – Chilvers Park
Perks: It was free but had full hookups—power and water. (No dump station).
Highlight: A charming Halloween event downtown!
We spent Halloween in Plainview, Nebraska. We didn’t know it then, but they have a Klown Doll Museum with over 7,000 clown dolls—which is terrifying. We should’ve explored that for Halloween. HAHA! The small town also comes alive with the annual Klown Days, featuring parades and entertainment.
Halloween in Plainview was a treat! The businesses lined the streets and handed out candy. This year, we had a family-themed costume from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It was a blast collecting candy and exploring the decorated streets. Afterward, they wanted to try door-to-door trick-or-treating in the local neighborhoods, a nostalgic experience for us since we hadn’t done it in years.
Chilvers Park, where we stayed, was another pleasant surprise. The four paved campsites were well-maintained and had picnic tables and bathrooms for non-self-contained campers. The surrounding park offered plenty of space to roam, and the vibrant fall foliage added to the charm. We even found a Geocache here!
Fritch, Texas – Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
Experience: Crazy storms and spotting roadrunners!
Campground: Sanford-Yake is free but has no hookups, with a dump station nearby.
The Sanford-Yake Campground at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area was a perfect stop to relax and recharge during our journey. This free campground, located on the northern end of the lake, offers breathtaking views of the water and plenty of space to spread out. While it doesn’t have hookups, it does feature a nearby dump station and several well-maintained amenities, including covered picnic tables, trash bins, and public restrooms. The peaceful atmosphere and scenic surroundings made it an ideal spot to park for a few days.
While we were there, we experienced some intense Texas thunderstorms that brought heavy rains and strong winds. At one point, Tony had to brave the storm to take down our telescoping flagpole, which was bending under the pressure of the wind. It was like reeling in a marlin in the rain, but he managed to get it down safely! The storms didn’t last long, though, and we were soon back to enjoying the calm views and spotting local wildlife.
We were lucky enough to see several roadrunners darting around the campground. They were fun to watch as they strutted past our RV like little feathered celebrities. We also saw deer roaming near the campsites and enjoyed listening to the sounds of nature around us.
Sanford-Yake is a great choice for campers with plenty of natural beauty. Plus, the campground allows stays of up to 14 days, so it’s perfect for longer visits. During warmer months, the nearby boat launch is a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts. Even in the cooler season, it’s a quiet retreat where you can relax, explore, and soak in the stunning Texas sunsets.
RV Repairs
RV living always keeps us on our toes. Tony rolled up his sleeves to fix our furnace because one of the zones would not turn on. The furnace repair was especially critical as temperatures were dropping. By process of elimination, Tony identified the control board as the culprit and ordered a replacement through an Amazon Locker in Texas. We also had to rebuild the Vacuflush toilet bellows while in Cottonwood (glamorous, we know 😉). Rebuilding the bellows on the Vacuflush system has become an annual ritual.
Finally, we had to get our Jeep window repaired from a rock in Canada. It’s all part of the adventure—keeping everything running so we can stay on the road and soak up the views!
Cottonwood & Sedona
We had an unforgettable time visiting family in Verde Valley, soaking up the Arizona sunshine, and catching up with loved ones. Tony’s mom and brother from Michigan visited, and we showed them around Jerome and Sedona and a quick day trip to the Grand Canyon.
One of the highlights was Tony taking them on the Broken Arrow off-road trail in Sedona. The rugged trail takes you through some of Sedona’s most stunning red rock formations, offering jaw-dropping views at every turn. To top it all off, we capped the experience with a delicious turkey dinner—a meal with a view that we’ll never forget!
Meanwhile, back at the RV, the kids and I stayed cozy as they recovered from a seasonal cold.
During our stay in Cottonwood, Arizona, we had some unexpected visitors—javelinas! These wild creatures that look like pigs made quite an impression, turning our campground into their nightly hangout. While generally not aggressive toward humans, javelinas can become a problem if you’re walking dogs, as they’re known to defend themselves when they feel threatened.
Javelinas, or collared peccaries, are native to the Americas and commonly found in the southwestern United States. These social animals live in herds, feed on cacti and fruits, and use their sharp tusks for defense. Though they resemble pigs, javelinas are a distinct species and can be a nuisance for campers if food is not properly secured.
Our first encounter came one night when we heard strange noises outside the RV. Peeking out, we saw shadows moving around, and once our eyes adjusted, we realized it was a group of javelinas rummaging near a neighbor’s bird feeders. They had discovered a stash of birdseed and were determined to feast, even knocking over items on our picnic table to search for snacks.
Their visits became a nightly routine, and it quickly became clear they were unfazed by human attempts to scare them off. Tony chased them with a broom, but they simply waited and returned minutes later. If you’re camping where javelinas can be found, keep food and scented items secured, especially at night.
Other highlights in the podcast
We share an update with you on the kiddos’ braces. Spoiler: They both have them now! We also share our 2024 Beet Harvest profits compared to 2023 and 2022.
What’s Next?
As always, we’re planning more adventures, tackling more repairs, and enjoying the incredible freedom of RV living. We’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you know of other great free campgrounds in Nebraska or nearby? Let us know! Drop us a line through our voice message system.
🎧 Don’t forget to listen to the full episode for all the stories and tips!
See you down the road!
