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Smarthome Appliances OPTIONS for kitchen countertops RV LIVING

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Table of Contents

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Curb Appeal

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Basement Care

Smarthome Appliances The Options For Kitchen Countertops Are Endless RV Living Directory

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Smarthome Appliances OPTIONS for kitchen countertops RV LIVING

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Curb Appeal By Katie Roiger | Submitted photos

hat makes a house attractive, warm, and welcoming? What indefinable elements transform sheetrock and shingles into the perfect spot for cozy nights in with the kids, or a crazy bash with 30 of your friends, or a property that will sell like hotcakes if or when it’s time to move? What designs and styles will elevate a home from ho-hum to happy place? 4 •

• APRIL 2021 • The Free Press

This kind of question has a million different answers: Vibrant wall colors. Farmhouse greige. Puffy blankets. Lights with dimmer switches. Candles everywhere. Each of these options are good, but they overlook a basic starting place that many people forget. Some don’t even realize that it’s the first “room” of their houses. That’s right – the front yard.

Sara Stinson

“The outside [of a house] should be looked at as an extension of a home,” said Sara Stinson of The Zoet Group – True Real Estate.

Whether we remember it or not, the outsides of our houses make as big a statement as the insides. Other than regular lawn trimming as per neighborhood regulations and maybe a seasonal wreath or two, the yard and façade often get less love than the dining room, kitchen or nursery, even though it’s the house’s first chance to make a great impression on visitors or potential buyers. “The outside [of a house] should be looked at as an extension of a home,” said Sara Stinson of The Zoet Group – True Real Estate. “When listing a home, sellers should make the outdoor

space as inviting as possible. A great question for sellers to ask themselves is ‘Would I want to spend time in my yard?’” Curb appeal, or a property’s outer attractiveness, is a great asset to a house whether you’re prepping it for sale or just hoping to get the most possible enjoyment out of your forever home. Some owners might think that a beautiful landscape is beyond them if they don’t have a green thumb. Fortunately, having a beautiful, intentional outdoor landscape is easier – and cheaper! – than you might think. Fred Struck, owner of the Traverse

de Sioux Garden Center in Saint Peter, suggests a design method very similar to one that homeowners are often familiar with from decorating the insides of their homes: Start with the big pieces, then fill in the gaps. Struck recommends beginning with shade trees. “Get them in first, because shrubs and stuff will grow really fast,” he said. “You don’t have to wait to have a nice shrub, whereas shade trees will take 15 years to get going.” The number of trees you can plant will vary depending on the size of your

The Free Press • APRIL 2021 •

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lot, but many homeowners find that well-placed shade trees add interest and hominess to their yards. Planting certain varieties has a practical element as well. “Planting them in the right spot to shade the house in the summer will cut way back on your air conditioning bills,” Struck said. Shade trees can also have beautiful interest value. Oaks and elms are popular choices, as are maples and other types that change color in the fall. The Autumn Blaze maple is especially popular with the Traverse de Sioux Garden Center customers thanks to its brilliant orange-red color it turns in cool weather. Linden varieties are other good choices for their color and hardiness. Besides providing some welcome cool spots in your yard, trees can act as a natural fence. “If you have some unsightly views in a certain direction, you may want to plant evergreens trees to block some of those views year-round,” said Struck. Once the shade sources are planted, the next item of business is adding decorative touches. One perennially popular detail is the rock or mulch bed around the front of a house. Maria Vasquez, co-owner of Genesis Outdoor Construction Services, said that she always checks with her clients to make sure that their yards are prepped before they spread any bedding. “A lot of people have drainage problems,” she said. “If the dirt around their house is sloping inward, water can get into their basement. We have to slope it out for them first.” When choosing between rock or mulch, property owners have to consider more than just the appearance. While rock

has the advantage of easy upkeep, because it doesn’t degrade and won’t require frequent replacement, mulch tends to hold water much better. This can be a bonus during dry seasons and may even lessen the need to water. Both rock and mulch come in a variety of fun colors. Vasquez said that river rock is currently the most popular rock variety since it comes in a multicolored assortment that complements most siding hues. Mulch colors range from light brown, to maroon, to black, but Struck said that most of his clients have lately been leaning toward the natural look of cedar cypress. Regardless of which bedding material you choose, Vasquez recommends adding edging, which is a barrier that keeps the bedding from getting dispersed by weather, lawnmowers, and more. Edging can be as simple as black plastic or as unique as stone or corrugated metal. One common mistake do-it-yourselfers make is installing the edging too shallowly. “Sometimes they [clients] try to the work themselves and they leave the edgers kind of outside of the ground,” said Vasquez. “You have to dig them halfway or all the way into the dirt.” One of the best features of accent plant beds is how customizable they are. Depending on factors such as how much sunlight the bed will get, homeowners have a large range of options for what they can plant. In Minnesota, daylilies and coneflowers are surefire choices for flowers that are hardy enough to survive a brutal winter. Hostas are also smart picks and come in several varieties and shades. In certain areas of Mankato and North Mankato, homeowners are trending toward a more natural gardening

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• APRIL 2021 • The Free Press

look. “Native grasses are really popular lately,” Struck said. “Until they get really established, they can look like a weed patch, but eventually a nicelooking prairie will come out of it.” Like any other plant, prairie grass needs the right setting. “In a suburban-type area, it doesn’t always look right,” Struck said. “It depends on the size of your lot and the style of your house.” Although the payoff can be beautiful, homeowners may want to consider whether the prairie grass look is right for them. Landscaping and gardening are fun ways to touch up a property, but for homeowners in a hurry, sometimes the best ways to add visual interest are the simplest. Whether you have a huge property or a small front yard, porch decorations are good choices creating a cheerful, welcoming atmosphere. “The easiest way to obtain some color is to plant a mixed pot of various blooming annuals and have that by the front door,” said Stark. “You can do a pot on each side or a grouping of three. It’s entirely up to you.” Investing in a large, attractive accent pot allows you to change up your porch’s appearance several times a year. After the flowers have stopped thriving around early fall, you can switch the spring flowers for coldblooming chrysanthemums. In the winter, evergreen boughs, cut birch branches, or red berries provide a festive touch. Homeowners looking for minimal maintenance ideas can also consider purchasing some pre-planted arrangements to enjoy all spring and summer long. “Think about adding some colorful flower pots or hanging baskets to accentuate your entry,” Stinson said. “These are relatively inexpensive to do.” No matter how you want to enhance your house’s curb appeal, it never hurts to consult the experts. A landscaper will happily direct you toward the plants that will grow best in your particular lot or give you tips for lowmaintenance yard improvements. If you don’t have time to implement the changes themselves, they can take the task off of your plate. The results will be a home that is attractive inside and out.

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Smarthome Aplliances By Katie Roiger | Submitted photos

“H

ey Alexa: Turn on the oven!”

There’s no doubt that modern technology has the power to make our lives more pleasant. It can give us an upbeat soundtrack for our morning commute, provide a hands-free chat with a good friend while we drive or juggle groceries, and even protect our homes through video surveillance. Over the past few years, smart appliances have become homeowners’ best friends, thanks to the security and time-saving services they provide. “People like the convenience of it,” said Erik Kindgren of DeGroods’ Appliance. “It makes life a little bit easier.” With over 20 years of experience selling appliances, Kindgren has seen smart-home appliances become more and more sophisticated. The first appliances on the market were relatively simple, such as washers and dryers that paired with smartphones. Great for busy people whose other duties and chores make it hard for them to remember if they put their socks in the dryer, the smart laundry room appliances send notification to the owner’s phone to remind them when the washing or drying cycles are finished. Downloading the machine’s app also provides the option of turning on a cycle from a distance, in case those socks need a quick fluffing. Next, the same concept made a leap to a similar appliance – the dishwasher. No more wondering if your plates are clean, because several companies now offer dishwashers that notify you when the plates are sanitized and dry. Kindgren said that he finds that many of his customers enjoy the text update option, even if they aren’t sure how technologically advanced they want their dishwasher to be. “I think a lot of times, customers feel unsure about having something that is that ‘smart,’ and notifications are one of those things that people feel comfortable with and see some value in,” he said. “It’s handy.” Notifications are just the beginning of what smart home kitchen appliances are capable. Companies such as LG Appliance and Kitchenaid offer ovens that can be turned on or off with voice control. “Let’s say you’re in the kitchen and you’re cutting up

Erik Kindgren. 8 •

• APRIL 2021 • The Free Press

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chicken,” said Kindgren. “You’re halfway through the job and you Inspired. Timeless. Passionate. realize you should have preheated the Inspired. Timeless. Passionate. ovenInspired. before you started Passionate. cutting up Timeless. the chicken and now your hands are a mess. Rather than having to wash up, start the oven, and go back to cutting chicken, if you have a voicePassionate. assistant Inspired. Timeless. in the kitchen, you can just ask the assistant to preheat the oven.” Certain smart ovens can also be set to preheat from a phone app. This feature is especially handy if a homeowner has a tight schedule. Instead of setting the oven’s temperature right after they rush through the door and then waiting the 10 or more minutes it takes to heat, a homeowner can prep t h e oven a s they leave

work or exit the grocery store. This preheating feature also has a built-in safety device. Before leaving the house, a homeowner must press an authorization button on the appliance to permit it to preheat. If anyone in the home opens the oven before it is set to preheat, that feature automatically turns off. Kindgren gave an example of roommates who keep plastic storage containers in their oven. If one roommate removes the dishware in order to set the ‘remote enable’ button, but the other later opens the oven to replace the containers, the safety feature prevents the possibility of having an oven fire rather than a delicious casserole. Ovens aren’t the only appliances equipped with safety features. Smart refrigerators and freezers can send alerts to your phone if a door is left open and the appliance starts to thaw. Others send notifications when its time to change a water filter. Smart grills have seen a steady rate of popularity. With the aid of a temperature probe that sends digital alerts, chefs don’t have to hover over their meats. They can enjoy the

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company of family and friends and rely on their phone to check the burgers’ temperature. The latest advancement in smart home technology is a heat-sensing range top. Rather than guessing the temperature of a pan based on the stovetop dials – or realizing that the pan is too hot based on how badly they burned the bacon – homeowners can set their stovetops to an exact temperature in the same way that they set their ovens. “That’s pretty neat because we’ve never been able to do that before,” Kindgren said. According to Kindgren, one of the best things about these new smart appliances is that they won’t break your bank. In general, the more advanced, energy-efficient appliances are now being equipped with smart technology. If you are willing to pay a little more for a quieter dishwasher, the likelihood is that it will also be programmed for text notifications. You’ll have a reasonably priced appliance with some time and effortsaving features thrown in.

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• 9

The options for

kitchen countertops are

s s e l d en

By Rachael Hanel | Submitted photos

itchen countertops are one product that can make a home truly unique. Today more than ever, consumers have an endless array of choices. Whether you go with what’s trending or opt for something different, keeping in mind the following can help winnow down the choices: trends, options, logistics and budget. What’s Hot Right Now Homeowners may opt to let latest trends in countertops guide their decisions. All-white kitchens have been trending for a while. Melinda Garry of Elegant Creations in Waseca jokingly calls it the “Pinterest kitchen.” Summer Kath, executive vice president of design at Cambria, based in Le Sueur, also sees a lot of all-white kitchens. She’s been with Cambria 19 of its 21 years and when she first started, dark countertops were the popular choice. While she doesn’t think white is going away anytime

10 •

soon, she is seeing a shift to warmer whites, such as marble and ivory. “In 2020 we started to see the whites warm up,” Kath says. “Warm and cool together are very popular in countertops.” The cool complements the warmer tones of natural cabinetry, which is also trending in popularity. Garry says customers often opt for a two-color scheme. The kitchen island may have veining, while the rest of the countertops are a solid color. A white quartz with grey veining is their top seller at Elegant Creations. Another popular option is a splash of

• APRIL 2021 • The Free Press

Bold veining has been trending in popularity. (Photo provided by Cambria)

boldness amidst a white. For example, a marbled countertop may have some veins of navy blue. “With white cabinets, people are more accepting of bold marble design,” Kath says. Kath says she sees darker options making a comeback. In fact, Cambria’s best-seller in 2020 was Charlestown, a darker charcoal gray quartz. Matte finishes are also increasingly popular options. Kath cited a recent industry survey that indicated almost half of customers are choosing matte over glossy.

Advances in technology have made the matte look possible with quartz. Heather Buisman, interior designer at The Design Element in Mankato, says she is seeing more people choose the matte finish.

So Many Options Consumers have many options when it comes to countertops: quartz, granite or another natural product, laminate and wood. “Quartz has really seen a surge in popularity in the last few years as homeowners are looking for a

maintenance-free product,” Buisman says. Quartz also is a natural product, but components such as resin and color are added during the manufacturing process. This allows the product to be non-porous and resistant to stains and scratching, as opposed to other natural materials. Granite or other natural stone requires maintenance. Garry says granite is the most popular choice at Elegant Creations. Since granite can stain or get damaged, Garry recommends using trivets under pots and pans. Granite also should be sealed yearly. Garry says that process

is easy and can be done in 30 minutes for a typical kitchen. Natural materials tend to be porous, which can make sanitation challenging. “In 2020, sanitization became really important,” Kath says. Marble and granite, for example, can’t tolerate bleach, but quartz countertops can. Jesseah Martin of Top Shop in Mankato says that quartz is a popular option among customers, as well as granite. “These two materials offer great durability in homes,” she says. Manufacturing advances in the

The Free Press • APRIL 2021 •

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All-white kitchens have been popular the past few years. (Photo provided by Cambria) past few years have made quartz more aesthetically pleasing and more varieties are now offered. For many years, quartz was more granular, resulting in a speckling effect. But now during manufacturing, the material is crushed into a finer product, which can produce a variety of effects. “That really makes it so much more interesting,” Buisman says. Buisman also sees people choosing wood countertops as accents.

Considerations When Choosing One thing customers need to consider is what may be involved beyond just the countertops, Martin says. “To stay on budget, we recommend getting costs for all add-ons before starting,” she says. These can include the sink, faucets, backsplash, plumbing and getting a quote for removal of existing countertops. Garry suggests this order when doing a complete remodel: choose 12 •

“To stay on budget, we recommend getting costs for all add-ons before starting,” she says. These can include the sink, faucets, backsplash, plumbing and getting a quote for removal of existing countertops. cabinets, then countertops, then flooring, then backsplash. “Generally people want their countertop to be the focal point of their kitchen, and working around that idea tends to be less daunting than trying to make a countertop fit with a certain flooring or tile they have already purchased,” Garry says.

• APRIL 2021 • The Free Press

She advises customers who are getting new cabinets wait to finalize that purchase until after they get a countertop quote. “Some cabinet makers are more aware of layouts that minimize waste and also consider the standard length of slabs to help minimize the need for seams in the countertop,” Garry says. Almost certainly new countertops will require a new sink and faucet. “If you are updating countertops, you don’t want to use an old beat-up sink,” Kath says. When it comes to installation, homeowners need to contact a plumber first to disconnect the kitchen piping. If you’re replacing old countertops, hire someone to take them out. The installers will put in the new countertop and mount the sink. Then the plumber needs to return to hook up the pipes again. Meanwhile, customers need to decide on the backsplash. Buisman says tile is a popular option and can recommend professional tile installers.

Charlestown was Cambria’s best-seller in 2020. (Photo provided by Cambria)

Working With A Budget Each type of countertop comes with different price points, so consumers on a budget can find something affordable no matter the type of countertop. Garry says customers often say, “Wow, I thought it was going to be a lot more expensive.” “We encourage customers to get quotes on all options, rather than just assuming that it is not within their means,” Garry says. Design experts are familiar with the industry and can provide helpful guidance. “The nice thing about working with a professional is that we can steer a customer to different brands and companies depending on their needs,” Buisman says. You can find lower-cost options almost anywhere, but as with anything, it’s buyer beware.

“With really inexpensive granite, you get what you pay for,” Kath says. You will want to research the company and where the countertops were produced. “Less expensive usually means lesser-grade stone. It’s not going to perform as well, it may stain and have other issues,” Kath says. She compares it to a fashion budget. If you’re going to invest in one thing, you may choose to buy a nice pair of shoes that you wear most often. “Countertops get the most use,” Kath says. Cabinets can be quite expensive, but maybe you can cut back there by repainting them or changing out the pulls. Garry also says that people can start small. Updating a small bathroom with remnants can make a huge difference in the look and resale value. Laminate countertops are a good option for people looking to

save money. Buisman says she sees customers also choosing laminate for secondary areas, such as laundry rooms. Even if you know you can only afford to upgrade kitchen countertops at the moment, Kath suggests to have installers measure in other areas of the home such as bathrooms or a bar area. That way, you can budget for the future. Or you may be surprised to find that adding countertops may not be as expensive as you thought. In the end, countertop updates are an investment that almost always will add value to the home. Garry says that one product is not better than another. “It all comes down to the aesthetic you are trying to achieve,” she says.

The Free Press • APRIL 2021 •

• 13

Before

After

Basement Care Heidi Newbauer | Submitted photos

ith any season, our basements can become wet or damp for several reasons. As the experts consistently note, a little bit of moisture in the basement can turn into a big problem. However, we can check for these issues before they turn into a huge headache, and the experts are ready to help. According to Complete Basement Systems, among other experts, it’s important to identify the warning signals of wet basements, some of which may not be as obvious as a puddle on the basement floor or water trickling in from an open space. These other signs include water trickling out of the walls, a ring of dampness on concrete walls, stained or puckered walls, damp or humid air, deteriorating carpet or wood, rotting columns or joists or headers, and any type of lingering odor of mold or mildew. Basement moisture usually comes from three sources: rain or groundwater, interior moisture, or humid air. Rain or groundwater must settle somewhere. Without proper grading, downspouts, or gutters, that runoff can easily make its way into the basement. Sometimes the interior of the basement is the source. Dryers, showers, humidifiers, or anything that gives off 14 •

• APRIL 2021 • The Free Press

condensation—even newly poured concrete—can create moisture that lingers. The easiest way to combat these things are to make sure the dryer vent path is clear, have an exhaust fan installed above the shower, and run a dehumidifier to ensure the moisture level stays under 60 percent. If these things don’t seem to make a big difference, give the experts a call. As nice as it is to open our windows during the warmer months, it’s best to keep them closed with humid weather. This type of moisture can travel into the house easily with open windows and condense onto the walls and floors. The dehumidifier is a helpful go-to in times when the weather is this sticky—it also seems to be best to invest in a good one before the store shelves are empty on a particularly steamy week. If you have water in the house, it’s usually from a small set of causes. An interior water leak can come from a sink, a toilet, a bad pipe. If the moisture in the basement is on its ceiling, the water is usually coming from the bathroom or kitchen on the floor above. Ineffective grading is another cause of water leakage. The ground around a home’s foundation should slope away from the house. Building up the dirt around the foundation is usually the best fix for this issue.

Before

After Missing or old gutters and downspouts makes it easy for rainwater to seep into the soil and eventually find its way into the basement. The general rule is to have a minimum of one downspout for every 50 feet of the roof eave. Gutters should always be cleaned because it’s easy for the leaves of the season to get stuck in there and for the little critters to den in them. A more concerning cause are foundation cracks. These can come

from hydrostatic (exterior) pressure or from internal structural issues, which can be very common in older homes. When things get to this point, it’s time to call the experts. If the home does not have a sump pump system, there could always be condensation issues that could eventually lead to structural issues, so the cost to install one is worth it for the value of the home. Sometimes these systems can get clogged, so it’s always

important to keep them maintained by the company’s standards. Complete Basement Systems is a local company that can help with any types of basement or crawl space leaks, along with wall repair, mold prevention, and egress windows. They have been around since 1975 and offer free estimates. You can give them a call at 1-844-7097774 or search their website, https:// www.mycompletebasement.com/. Your house will thank you for it.

The Free Press • APRIL 2021 •

• 15

Top: Sarah Roggless’ RV in Monaghan State Park. Middle: RV in Moab, Utah. Bottom: Campsite near Mackinaw Ialand.

RV Life “I

By Katie Roiger | Submitted photos

t was go, go, go, all the time,” said Sarah Roggless of Mankato. “We were growing tired of the routine.” During the past few years, life for the Roggless family had sped up like a spinning hamster wheel. Sarah, her husband, and her two children found themselves busier than ever and, while they enjoyed their work and their home, Roggless said that she felt as though time was racing past with few meaningful memories to show for it.

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• APRIL 2021 • The Free Press

“We decided to look at options for doing life differently!” Roggless said. In the spring of 2019, she and her husband began discussing options for being more intentional about appreciating their loved ones and creating shared experiences. Both loved to travel and almost without realizing it, they found themselves researching recreational vehicles. A 39-foot used Keystone Sprinter, complete with a bunk house for the kids and a separate bedroom that could double as an office, opened brand-new possibilities. As the vice president of a software development company’s public sector division, Roggless could work from any location that had sufficient Internet. Her husband quit his job and spent some time preparing to homeschool their children. By September of 2019, they were on the road. While traveling around the United States for nearly a year, the Roggless clan visited 27 states, 14 national parks, 54 campgrounds, and racked up countless precious experiences including white water rafting and seeing Harry Potter on Broadway. “It [the trip] taught us to live in the moment,” Roggless said. “Experiences as a family are much more important than material things.” Roggless and her family aren’t the only people looking to make life portable. A movement known as #VanLife is sweeping the globe, driven (pardon the pun) by individuals and families who choose to live in converted vehicles or traditional campers either part-time or full-time. “You have a sense of independence,” said Mankato’s Keepers RV Center owner Lisa May about the mobile lifestyle. “You can control where you go and have a little more freedom to stop when you want to stop.” Even those who don’t have the opportunity or inclination for extended journeying have discovered the RV’s potential for quick, relaxing getaways or social staycations. Unlike many other forms of business, the RV trade saw a moderate upswing in business during the coronavirus crisis of 2020. “The RV industry has always been growing, but on top of that, when you coop people up, they look for ways to get outdoors and do stuff with

From left to right: Will, Lisa, Emily, Bruce of Keepers RV. family and friends where they don’t have to feel nervous,” said Kimberly Kroubetz, owner of Lakeside Campers in Lake Crystal. “Camping and boating and fishing and kayaking - all of those things allow people to be around family and friends while being safe and distanced.” While COVID-19 didn’t necessarily cause the recent enthusiasm for #VanLife, it certainly fueled interest in a mobile homes and campers, especially among younger buyers. Kroubetz said that the RV industry is currently seeing a significant increase in purchases made by millennials. For many years, aby boomers were the primary camper buyers, but younger people are showing growing interest in the simplicity and mobility. “Unlike people my age, they’re more minimalist,” said Kroubetz regarding her millennial customers. “They love the outdoors and they seem to really want quality.” One thing both baby boomers and millennials appear to share is appreciation for today’s RV’s automated features. Using the manually-cranked awnings and sitting in the un-airconditioned interiors of the camper models would have been “roughing it” according to modern standards. Nowadays, it would be difficult to find an RV without an air conditioning unit, let alone satellite and Wi-Fi. “So many things are automatic and

made to be easier for the user, like electric jacks and slide-outs,” May said. “Solar panels are getting to be a big thing, because then it’s a little bit easier to boondock, where you can go to a more primitive campground or camp in your uncle’s farmyard – that kind of thing.” When getting to know first-time customers, Kroubetz said that the first question she asks is always about the kind of car they drive. “If you’re not going to buy a new vehicle, let’s find out what your vehicle can tow,” she said. “That’s going to narrow it down a bunch.” Recreational vehicles come in a wide range of sizes and styles, from the traditional tent campers, to 5thwheel toy haulers that have space for motorcycles and four-wheelers, to horse trailers with living quarters, to large motorized units. What people choose depends not only on what their car can pull, but the size of their families and their purpose for buying. Among her customers, Kroubetz has had a tattoo artist purchase a toy hauler as a traveling office, a professional diver and competition barbecue chefs who found their recreational vehicles handy for living on the road, and a nurse who purchased and renovated a toy hauler to house her husband’s kidney dialysis equipment. Mankato residents Dan and Jo Peterson first bonded over a shared

The Free Press • APRIL 2021 •

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love of travel. They talked about a mobile lifestyle on their first date, bought a 34-foot travel trailer shortly after, and were married on the road a month later. Around two years afterward, they upgraded to a 40-foot 5th wheel that had slightly roomier living quarters – a big plus, since the couple spends most of the year on the road. “We’ve gone through all except 15 states, but they’re all on our radar,” David said. The couple treasures their travel memories, including one unforgettable journey to Alaska. Besides breathtaking views and oncein-a-lifetime adventures, they credit their Alaska trip with introducing them to some wonderful people. “We parked at a free campground and there were 3 or 4 other campers there,” said David. “A couple of them were guitar players, and they came around and knocked on our door and said, ‘If you want to join us in a few minutes, just grab a beverage!’ They sang for us and we just had a great time that evening.” The Roggless clan still keeps in touch with some of their fellow travelers.

“We met a great family in Texas and actually met up with them in Arizona, Montana, and Utah,” Roggless said. Now that they are home in Mankato, Facebook and social media helps them stay up to date with their RV friends. Far from being a solitary adventure, Kroubetz says that most owners of recreational vehicles seem to want to travel together to heighten the experience. “We get a lot of families where one of their friends has a huge field out in the country and they go out there and have a weekend,” she said. “It’s just good, old-fashioned family time. Everyone works so much and they’re so busy that it’s just a very cool, unplugged time.” While some RV owners enjoy roaming the United States in search of bucket list destinations, but just as many choose to stay local during their vacation travels. Blue Earth County alone offers six parks and three campgrounds for daily use or overnight stays. If you’re looking for a new adventure, hoping to rediscover your family’s love for the outdoors,

Kroubetz Staff or simply enjoy a social-distanced weekend activity with loved ones, #VanLife – or RV life – might be just right for you. Just ask those who’ve already given it a try!

“We learned so much about each other since we were together 24/7,” Roggless said. “We learned to be flexible and enjoy where the day takes you.”

The Free Press • APRIL 2021 •

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