OUR MINI ADVENTURE VAN

While in the United States, we spend our time visiting friends and family, babysitting family dogs, and traveling to beautiful destinations. We live and travel in our Mini Adventure Van, “MAVIS”. She is a 2006 Toyota Siena. Her back seats have been removed and she has been fitted with an interior made specifically for this particular vehicle, model, and year.

The insert was developed by Roadloft, a Canadian company that has done an outstanding job creating custom, easy to assemble inserts specifically designed for many makes and years of vans and SUVs. Roadloft.com

Here is MAVIS in our driveway on the day we installed the insert.

Harvest Host RV CAMPSITES

We have crossed the US in MAVIS from east to west, and north to south enjoying mini vacations and visiting with family and friends. We spend many nights at Harvest Host sites where Wineries, Breweries, Farms, and many other businesses allow you to stay overnight at no charge. So far, we have been specializing in breweries. (There is the expectation you will purchase some of what they have to offer).

There are thousands of Harvest Host locations in the United States. To stay at one you must first pay a modest fee for membership. Your vehicle must have water and a self contained toilet. In general, you must secure approval for a site at a minimum of one day before your arrival.

Harvest Host sites vary from being a small establishment that offers pizza and beverages with a spot in their parking lot, to multi-acre, landscaped properties that include small playgrounds, extensive menus, ponds, live music et al. We have never been disappointed. Most, in our experience, are very dog friendly.

We have greatly enjoyed stays at several Harvest Host sites in the vicinity of Allentown, PA.

Harvest Host “Retriever Brewing Company “

Lowhill, PA

By its name you will already know this Harvest Host loves dogs. If you want to socialize your dog, you could not find a better location. Great beer, friendly staff, excellent food (best ever smoked chicken wings and lots more), and the most well-behaved dogs.

This establishment has a large second floor that can be rented for special events. On occasion, they hold an event of their own where they invite people to view, and potentially adopt, dogs without a home. We understand, they have invariably placed all the dogs at such an event in a forever home.

Harvest Host “Rising River Brewing ”

Macungie, PA

Rising River Brewing is popular with locals and visitors alike. Aimmediate striking feature is the inclusion of tropical plants and palm trees. The property has a pleasing landscape, seating areas for small and larger groups including parties for special occasions. The variety of food is broad and has never failed to satisfy us and libations, both soft, hard, as well as variety of freshly brewed beer is exceptional.

Road Trips

While on the road we look a day or two ahead for a Harvest Host in the area where we plan to stop for the night.

En route to a family gathering in Michigan, we stayed in Slippery Rock, PA at a Harvest Host. It offered an excellent brewery housed in a renovated old building that was originally a funeral home. Intricate wood carvings and craftsmanship had transformed the building into a work of art.

Harvest Host “North Country Brew Pub”

Slippery Rock, PA

There have been many memorable roadtrips in MAVIS and the a great variety of Harvest Hosts. It is one fun way to explore the world and connect with interesting people.