Coaching Dreams, Broken Springs, and Palm Trees: Another "Smooth" RV Adventure

Because nothing says "living the dream" like a roadside breakdown with 45 feet of RV and nowhere to park it...

Hey there, fellow road warriors and full-time RV enthusiasts! If you're reading this while parked somewhere scenic (or not-so-scenic), wondering if the RV life is all Instagram-worthy sunsets and endless adventures, let me tell you about our latest "character-building" experience. Spoiler alert: it involved a broken leafspring, an angel named Mike, and me actually handling an unplanned situation without completely losing my mind. Progress, people!

Back in My Element: Coaching at NGA California State Camp

First, the good stuff. I got to spend a weekend coaching beam at NGA California State Camp at Tumble Time gymnastics in Cameron Park, CA, and y'all – my heart was SO full. There's something magical about being back in the gym, watching these incredible athletes push their limits while working alongside other passionate coaches. It reminded me why I fell in love with coaching in the first place.

The talent level was absolutely incredible, and honestly? It made me miss that world more than I expected. But hey, that's the beauty of RV life – you can chase your passions wherever they take you, even if it's just for a weekend.

Plot Twist: When Your Leafspring Says "Nope"

After an amazing coaching weekend, we were feeling pretty good about ourselves as we started the trek to Thousand Trails Palm Springs in Palm Desert, CA. The GPS was set, the snacks were stocked, and I was mentally preparing for some desert relaxation.

Then our RV decided to remind us who's really in charge.

Somewhere on the highway, we heard that lovely sound that every RVer dreads – the sound of something important breaking. Turns out, our leafspring had given up the ghost, and let me tell you, pulling a 45-foot trailer with a broken leafspring is about as smart as trying to laser engrave with a broken laser (spoiler: it doesn't work).

So there we were, stuck on the side of the road, doing that thing where you stare at the problem hoping it'll magically fix itself. It didn't.

Enter Mike: The RV Angel We Didn't Know We Needed

Here's where the story gets good, fellow RVers. After calling around to various RV service places (because of course this happened in the evening when most places are closed), we found Mike at Grapevine RV. Not only did this absolute legend answer his phone after hours, but he was literally just 2 miles from our breakdown!

Mike let us park our wounded rig in his lot for TWO NIGHTS and helped us connect with a metal worker who could actually fix our problem. In a world where customer service often feels like a myth, Mike restored my faith in the RV community. If you're ever in the Grapevine area and need RV sales or service, this is your guy!

And here's the kicker – I, the person who usually plans everything down to the minute and has backup plans for my backup plans, actually handled this unplanned chaos pretty well. Personal growth, people. It's happening.

Palm Desert Paradise: Worth the Wait

After getting back on the road (with a properly functioning leafspring, thank you very much), we finally made it to Thousand Trails Palm Springs in Palm Desert. And let me tell you, it was worth the drama getting there.

This place is absolutely gorgeous – easy highway access (which we appreciated after our recent towing adventures), tons of palm trees that make you feel like you're in a vacation commercial, and a pool with water misters over the chairs. Because apparently, even the pool chairs need to stay cool in the desert!

The sites are nice and level (music to any RVer's ears), and we're already planning our hike at Joshua Tree National Park before the weather gets too toasty. There's something about desert landscapes that just hits different, you know?

New Friends and Future Plans

One of the best parts of RV life? The people you meet along the way. We connected with this fantastic couple who were so much fun to talk to, and get this – they'll be in our same area when we head to Florida! It's like the RV community is one big, mobile neighborhood where you keep running into your favorite neighbors.

Speaking of Florida, from here it's back to Rockport, Texas, for the most exciting reason – our grandbaby is on the way! We'll be spending two months on the Texas coast, which means plenty of time for laser engraving, beach walks, and hopefully some baby snuggles.

For My Fellow Full-Time RVers

If you're living the full-time RV life (or thinking about it), you know that it's not all perfectly curated social media posts. Sometimes your leafspring breaks. Sometimes you end up in a stranger's parking lot for two days. Sometimes your carefully planned route becomes a "let's just see what happens" adventure.

But here's the thing – it's also coaching dreams coming true in California gyms, meeting angels named Mike who restore your faith in humanity, and finding paradise in unexpected places. It's about rolling with the punches (literally, in our case) and discovering that you're more adaptable than you thought.

And hey, if you need some custom laser-engraved gear to commemorate your own RV adventures (or mishaps), you know where to find us! Whether it's a tumbler that says "I Survived Another RV Breakdown" or a keychain with your rig's name, we've got you covered with that perfect blend of snark and style that makes RV life a little more fun.

Until our next adventure (hopefully with all springs intact),
Krystal & the Laser Duck Crew

P.S. – Mike at Grapevine RV, if you're reading this, you're getting a custom laser-engraved something as a thank you. Heroes deserve recognition!

Follow our RV adventures and see where we're headed next! We're always sharing behind-the-scenes peeks, event updates, and the occasional roadside drama on our social media. Plus, if you're a fellow RVer with a sense of humor and an appreciation for quality laser-engraved goods, you're definitely our people.