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Hartberger RV 2024-2025
  • Michael Hartberger
  • Michael Hartberger

Hartberger RV 2024-2025

2yr RV trip across the US and Canada Read more
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  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler
    $84,000 Sticker$174,000 Sticker$182,000 Sticker$1,500 Sticker Each211

    FP update 5/8/25 Covette Museum, Bowling

    May 8, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    National Corvette Museum showcases the Chevrolet Corvette, an American sports car that has been in production since 1953. It is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and near General Motors' Bowling Green Assembly Plant, where Corvettes are manufactured. Not a big fan of the old corvettes, but really enjoyed looking at the new design. While there, I witnessed a customer taking delivery of a 2025 Z06…..smiles ear to ear….sticker $174,000.Read more

  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler

    FP update 5/13/25 Hot Springs National P

    May 13, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    We have made our way west to Arkansas, specifically Hot Springs. Hot Springs is a city in the mountains of Arkansas. It’s known for its naturally heated springs. The ancient thermal springs, mountain views, incredible geology, forested hikes, and abundant creeks—all in the middle of town! It also has 8 Bathhouses. Bathhouse Row (#8) was built between 1911 and 1939. “The Row” has been described as the grandest collection of bathhouses of their kind in the nation.

    Hot Springs National Park is lovely and has a rich cultural past. It’s 5,500 acres adjacent to the city of Hot Springs. Hot Springs Reservation was initially created by an act of the United States Congress on April 20, 1832, to be preserved for future recreation. We explored this Park for a few days with hikes and bikes!

    There is a lot of history from Spring Training to Gangsters. Come check it out!!!!👍🏻

    We can’t forget the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. We hiked the Peak Trailhead, which is about 1.5 miles. The trail is a steady incline the whole way, but well worth it. The tower elevator will transport you 216 feet to the observation decks, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs Mountain, and the Diamond Lakes area—all at 1,256 feet above sea level.    Read more

  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler

    FP update 5/15/25 The Fordyce Bathhouse,

    May 15, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    We toured the Fordyce Bathhouse, one of the houses on Bathhouse Row. In the mid-1800s, people flocked to the establishments on Bathhouse Row for the purported healing and therapeutic qualities of the thermal water.

    We took a self-guided tour and learned the history of the facility and how it impacted people’s lives. The building has stunning architecture, stained glass, and exhibits on the history of bathing and info on the town's unique past.

    It is the largest bathhouse, totaling approximately 28,000 square feet and 3 floors. Pretty much all the rooms are set up as they would have been back in the day during the golden age of bathing. When people were seeking health and wellness.    Read more

  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler

    FP update 5/15/25 – Baseball History + R

    May 15, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Hot Springs, Arkansas, is often called the "birthplace" of major league spring training, as it was the first location where teams began training in preparation for the season, starting in 1886. The Chicago White Stockings (now the Cubs) were the first major league team to train there, and many other teams soon followed, drawn by the thermal springs believed to have healing properties.

    From the 1880s through the 1930s, many major-league teams sent their players to Hot Springs to “dry out” and take advantage of the area’s renowned therapeutic mineral baths. Famous players who were regulars in the Spa City included Babe Ruth, Cy Young, Honus Wagner, and even Jackie Robinson.    Read more

  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler

    FP update 5/18/25 - William J Clinton Pr

    May 18, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    We had the opportunity to visit the William J Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas. It was the first time we visited a Presidential Library. The design inspiration for the Museum is said to be the Long Room at Trinity College Dublin. The Museum displays about 4500 mysterious blue boxes (lined floor to ceiling) containing Presidential records from the White House Office.

    Highlights/fun facts: The recreation of the Clinton Oval Office is insightful in the day-to-day life of the President. The most traveled President the US had at that point He was the first US President to receive the Charlemagne prize which is an annual award given for work in the service of European unification

    It is an active, vibrant place that is so much more than a library. Check it out    Read more

  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler

    FP update 5/27/25-Top of the Rock, Ozark

    May 27, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris acquired lots of property in the Ozarks in the 90s to preserve the area and share it with the masses to love and enjoy!

    We had the opportunity to visit one of his “attractions“ today, and it didn’t disappoint 👍🏻
    We took a golf cart tour around the preserve, showcasing the majestic beauty of the Ozarks.

    While cruising on the cart, we enjoyed the 2.5-mile Nature Trail. A beautiful ride created through stunning rock formations, waterfalls, and lake views. The winding trail also took us through a marvelous cave.

    We saw signs that said we could come across wild animals but unfortunately, only squirrel 🐿️ sightings for us 😁

    There is also a 9-hole golf course on the premises as well as the Ancient Ozarks National History Museum. We did not golf but did visit the museum. The museum has the largest collection of Native American artifacts in the nation. There is a lot to read and look at, and it does a great job capturing the Ozarks’ history.    Read more

  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler

    FP update 5/30/2025 – Dogwood Canyon Nat

    May 31, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Today we explored another area Mr. Bass Pro Shop has made possible. It is part of the Johnny Morris Foundation. Dogwood Canyon Nature Park and as the sign in front says”Welcome To Paradise “! That is 10,000 acres of paradise. We did the entire 2.9 miles out and back (6 in total) along the paved trail. We can actually claim we hiked in 2 states (MO & AR)

    We felt like we escaped to serenity as we entered this Ozark Mountain. Along the trail there are towering bluffs, waterfalls, creek beds, handcrafted bridges, wildlife and even a Chapel 💒

    It was a great day and a one of a kind experience. If you have an opportunity to visit the Ozarks, we recommend it 👍🏻

    Sent from my iPhone    Read more

  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler

    FP update 5/31/2025 – Table Rock Lake &

    May 31, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Couple of pics on the boat, and a few of the Dollywood like town of Branson, MO. Loved the lake!

    Table Rock Lake is located in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. The lake covers over 40,000 surface acres, creating more shoreline than the state of California. Table Rock Lake has four unique areas: Central, East, West, and Indian Point. Each area of the lake offers a different experience, with nearly 800 miles of shoreline to exploreRead more

  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler

    FP update 6/4/25 - Anheuser-Busch St. Lo

    June 4, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 25 °C

    We couldn’t come to St. Louis without taking a tour of Anheuser-Busch, home of Budweiser 🍺

    The iconic brewery was completed in 1892 in a Romanesque Revival style that remains intact today. For us the highlight of the tour was the Clydesdales and of course the Dalmatian on the premises. They house about 15 stallions at the facility. We got to watch it prance by. We were in awe of the animal. It was magnificent and beautiful 🤩 🐎 We were told to be a Budweiser Clydesdale, they have to have some standard markings or will not make the cut.Read more

  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler
    2

    FP update 6/8-9/25 - St. Louis, MO

    June 9, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    We spent a few days exploring St. Louis. Downtown is a very clean and vibrant place. The city maintains the area and keeps it inviting to visitors. We toured the Old Courthouse and City Garden, which has many whimsical sculptures.

    St. Louis and the Gateway Arch are both referred to as the "Gateway to the West." The arch is an inspirational, transcendent symbol of Thomas Jefferson’s vision of building a unified continental nation and St. Louis’ role as a confluence and gateway to the American West during the 19th century.

    And you can’t be in this part of the country and not refresh your Lewis & Clark expedition history. 😊

    Of course, we had to take the Gateway Arch tour, where we were transported 630 feet to the top of the Arch for exhilarating views. We took the unique elevator system that carries passengers from the visitors' center underneath the Arch to the observation deck at the top of the structure. Passengers enter horizontal compartments that form a train, tilting to maintain level orientation as they ascend the curved tracks within the Arch.

    Fun facts about the Arch:
    (*) Completely Stainless Steel
    (*) Began 1963
    (*) Opened 1967
    (*) No one died in construction
    (*) It’s located in the Smallest National Park    Read more

  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler

    FP update 6/14/25 Harry S. Truman Presid

    June 14, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We made a last-minute decision to visit the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library, and we're glad we went. It was opened in 1957 in the birthplace of Harry, Independence, MO (adjacent to Kansas City), but has undergone renovations and is hailed as “the new standard for presidential libraries.” We agree!

    It is well-curated and engaging, with so much to take in. Here are a few of the few n factoids about President Truman:

    (*) At 10 he was paralyzed from diphtheria
    (*) Played the piano
    (*) Initially refused the invitation to be FDR’s VP running mate
    (*) Was only VP for 82 days
    (*) Became our 33rd President after FDR died of a cerebral hemorrhage
    (*) He ran for a second term and won by beating Republican Dewey, at the time one of the greatest upsets in Political history

    During his presidency, a lot was going on after WWII that defined his presidency:
    (*) The beginning of the Israel and Palestine issues after Israel claimed statehood.
    (*) The Cold War
    (*) Korean War
    (*) The use of the Atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki

    The idea of “fairness “ was a guiding principle for Truman.

    His timeless wisdom and significant contributions from which the world continues to benefit, even though he left his presidency with a very low approval rating 🤔 probably because he fired general MacArthur.

    Famous phrases he coined - "If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen” and “The buck stops here”

    President and Mrs. Truman are buried at the library.

    We thoroughly enjoyed this    Read more

  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler
    2

    FP update 6/16/25 Federal Reserve Bank o

    June 16, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City - Today we visited The Money Museum which is known as a billion dollar experience 💰💰💰💰💰. Also known as the Federal Reserve of Kansas City. There are 12 total reserve banks in the US and Missouri is the only state to have 2 of them. In short, the Federal Reserve is the bank for banks, keeping everything above board.

    At the Money Museum there is a collection of coins that were used for currency starting from George Washington to Biden. It was wild to see small coins like a 3-cent coin and 1/2 a dime (not a nickel). They were quite small 😁 We took a tour and had a great guide that shared some fun facts:
    (*) Federal law- President has to pass before they can be printed on money/currency
    (*) Secret Service - initially created to catch counterfeiting
    (*) Paper for currency is made of linen and cotton. One company in New England has had the contract since the start.
    (*) $100,000 bill was the highest denomination ever created and was only for trade between (*) Federal Banks. Discontinued in 1960s.
    (*) The Federal Reserve Bank makes sure bills/coins are in good condition and at this facility you can watch how this is done electronically by a few people.

    It was a informative tour 👍🏻
    //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    The National World War I Museum and Memorial (right across the street from the Federal Reserve Bank) houses the most comprehensive WWI collection in the world. It was built in 1921 to honor the Kansas Citizens that passed in the War.

    June 1914, in Sarajevo, a Bosnian-Serb nationalist killed the heir to the Austro- Hungarian throne. This started a chain of events that led to WWI-the first global war.

    It wasn’t until April 6, 1917, that the US declared war on Germany and officially entered the war. When the war ended, there was a new world order and America came out as a superpower.

    The museum did a great job of remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact.

    We recommend this museum also 👍🏻    Read more

  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler
    1

    FP update 6/20/25 Minuteman Missile Nati

    June 20, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌩️ 38 °C

    The site protects two facilities that were once part of a Minuteman Missile field that covered the far western portion of South Dakota from 1963 through the early 1990s. There were 15 Launch Control Facilities that commanded and controlled 150 Launch Facilities (Missile Silos) holding Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles. The park preserves two of these facilities in their historic state—Launch Control Facility Delta-01 with its corresponding underground Launch Control Center and Launch Facility (Missile Silo) Delta-09. These two sites, along with the Minuteman Missile Visitor Center, comprise Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.

    During the Cold War thousands of Air Force personnel in Minuteman Missile fields throughout the Great Plains worked and lived around nuclear weapons that held unprecedented destructive power. It was these nuclear weapons that constantly threatened devastation of any aggressor nation that might consider launching a nuclear attack against the United States or its allies. This threat of destruction acted as a deterrent to enemies while paradoxically preserving an uneasy peace.

    One of the most serious responsibilities during the Cold War was to be part of a missile crew with the ability to initiate the use of nuclear weapons from a Launch Control Center. These crews were ready to respond at a moment's notice. At the same time, maintenance and security police ensured that the sites were totally secure and always functioning. The missile field was operational, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for 365 days a year, for thirty years. Despite the searing summer heat and brutal winter cold of South Dakota, operational status of the missiles was maintained at all times    Read more

  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler

    FP SoCal (Oct 24 - Dec 17, 2025)

    Oct 24–Dec 20, 2025 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    As many of you know, we have been out of pocket for a few months and unfortunately, it’s due to finding out that Westen has mouth cancer😔. It has been an emotional roller coaster since early October. Hitting the high notes, we caught it early and it didn’t spread. We relocated to SoCal ahead of schedule, where there is a specialty vet cancer medical group (San Diego) who were able to target the left side of her mouth and lymph nodes with radiation. Believe it or not, there is a vaccine for this type of cancer. With both of those available, we are optimistic 🐾👍🏻 Our loving dog has more joy she needs to spread around.

    The original year end plan was to take the RV to Phoenix around New Year's Eve, store it and then look to sell in March/April 2026. Well, like all good plans, things do change. We sold the Dutchess (RV) to a nice couple in SoCal. We are temporarily homeless as we enjoy a wide range of different hotels 😉 Also, no more worrying about bathroom breaks and dumping the holding tanks😲

    ****See next footprint for final update****    Read more

  • Michael HartbergerHartberger RV 2024-2025Traveler

    FP Final Update 12/24/25

    Dec 21–25, 2025 in the United States ⋅ 🌨 5 °C

    FINAL UPDATE…

    Onto our next phase...where are the Hartbergers going to plant their roots? We have narrowed it down to either Boise/Treasure Valley, ID or Park City area, UT. The goal is to determine which one is the finalist by March/April 2026. We’ll be residing in Meridian, ID for the next year as we decide.

    It is crazy to think our 2-year adventure has come to an end. So many memories and beautiful locations have consumed us. We are blessed to have been able to spend this time exploring. Even more blessed that Michael planned all this so well that it truly has been a Trip of a Lifetime 💕

    Wishing all of you cozy days, good food, and plenty of laughter this holiday season. Cheers to a bright and happy New Year!🧑‍🎄🌲🎇

    Warm wishes - Westen, Amanda and Michael    Read more

    Trip end
    December 21, 2025