Come With Me on a Van Adventure to Old Forge
I am so excited to share about my most recent adventure! I had the opportunity to work with the amazing company Vantastic Adventures to take a three day camper van trip to Old Forge, NY. You know how some trips you just know will be full of adventures and memories?? Well I can tell you this trip went nothing like I thought it would, but in the best way.
First let me tell you a little bit about Vantastic Adventures. The company is located in Rochester, NY and is the first of its kind here in NYS. Depending on who you plan on adventuring with, you can choose from either the two person (Lucy) or the four person (Bella) van and rates start at $200 per day, minimum of three days required. You also will be required to purchase a supplemental insurance for around $20 per day and a refundable security deposit of $500 will be due a week before you depart. Picking up the van is super easy and let me tell you if I can drive it, you can too! Your rental also includes unlimited mileage and tolls. The day of your departure, you will be sent an access code for the lockbox on the van. So easy. Once you get the key, you can be on your way!
**Disclaimer: This trip was planned in partnership with Vantastic Adventures. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The best part of renting a camper van is that home is where you park it! For me this was such a strange concept. I also have to add that I am not a camper, so this adventure was definitely so far out of my comfort zone. Thankfully, the van comes with everything you need to be comfortable, but keep in mind that there is no bathroom. Doesn’t this just add to the adventure haha?? You’ll find cookware, a small refrigerator and freezer, running water, coffee maker, all the utensils, heat and ceiling fans and a queen bed with linens and pillows. Some of the items we packed were bottled water, beer, coffee, snacks and our Rumpl blankets for an extra layer. Everything was great and the only thing we wished we packed that we didn’t, was extra pillows.
Mike, the owner of Vantastic Adventures, has created a series of Youtube videos that guide you through everything you need to know about the van and they are extremely helpful! He also is only a text away if you have any questions that pop up. Below are pictures of the interior of the van!
After my friend Laurie and I picked up Lucy, we were on our way to Old Forge, NY. We took a chance by visiting in the off season, but I had no idea how much the weather would impact our experience. Our plan was to check into our campsite at Old Forge Campground, explore the town, do some hiking, hopefully have a bonfire and hang out in our camper van. We lucked out our first day with breaks in the weather and even a little sunshine so we decided to hike first and then check in. We parked Lucy at the entrance to the Bald Mountain (Rondaxe Fire Tower) Trail, changed into our hikers and off we went. This trail was beautiful and I would rate it moderate. Definitely worth checking out. I guess the perk of visiting in April is that we basically had the trail to ourselves! We only saw one other person.
After the hike, we drove to the campground to get checked in. It was a ghost town haha.. I don't even know if anyone else was staying there! Our site for the two nights cost $94 and this was for a campsite with water and electric since we needed a place to charge up the van. We stayed close to the lodge so we could have access to the showers and bathrooms. The facilities were clean and well kept. I would imagine this is a happening place in the summer and fall, with its proximity to town and the big water park. Since we got to the grounds after five pm the lodge was already closed. When I was finally able to check in the next morning, the process was easy and I was able to see that the store sold lots of items and had a lovely coffee bar.
Our first night in town we spent having dinner at Slickers Tavern and not doing much else. We had planned to go to a restaurant called Little Fox, but we drove all the way there only to find that it was closed. We would come to find out from some of the towns residents that we probably picked the worst time for our visit (of course I did). Apparently many of the residents go on their own vacations while the kids are off from school, leaving only a handful of restaurants and businesses open. The lesson here is don’t plan to visit Old Forge in the first weeks of April haha… Slickers was great and everything we had was good. Definitely a solid choice for a meal. After dinner, we made our way back to our campsite to unwind and have some beers. It poured that night but we were warm and comfy in our van.
Over the next day we visited as much as we could in the town, drove through the neighboring town of Inlet and just made the most of the time that we had even though the weather was very uncooperative.
We did get to visit the Blue Line Coffee Shop (this was our favorite place and we visited a few times) , Old Forge Hardware (so much more than a hardware store), Montezuma Winery (wine slushies), Fulton Chain Craft Brewery (great brews and we had lunch there) and Gallery 3040 (filled with local artists creations).
Although the weather wasn’t ideal and we didn’t get to see as much of Old Forge as we wanted, we had the best time. We laughed so much about how weird it was to be driving around your house, we sang songs that reminded us of our childhood, I conquered my fear of driving the van (hello nightmares beforehand), we got to go on a hike that reminded me how much I love the outdoors and I came home with new stickers and sweatshirts that will always remind me of my first van adventure.
I feel so fortunate that I am able to have these experiences and share them with you! I really think a camper van adventure is something everyone should try at least once in their life.. Tell me, would you try it?
And as always, happy traveling..
X, Julie