Elite

RV Life: Wives’ road trip

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Photography by
Craig Lamb
Captions by
Craig Lamb
It’s a beautiful Saturday morning for the final day of the St. Croix Bassmaster Southern Open at Cherokee Lake. Much is going on at Greenlee Campground of May Springs. A group of anglers stayed there, including three Bassmaster Elite Series pros and their wives. 
From left, LeAnn Swindle, Tiffany Palaniuk and Randi Gleason are preparing their RVs for a road trip to the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake. While their husbands are fishing, they will drive the rigs to the next campground in Dayton, Tenn. 
The Palaniks travel in this 2022 Grand Design Momentum 397THS, 44-foot model. 
The Swindles stay in this 2022 Grand Design Momentum 394M-R, M-class, 40-foot model.
The Gleasons camp in this 2022 Heritage Glen Elite Series 34L, by Forest River RV. Exterior length is 40 feet, 6 inches. 
The campsite pads are at an indirect angle to the direction of the driveway exit. That means all three of the RVs must  be maneuvered around a tight turnaround at the bottom of a hill. LeAnn Swindle moved her husband’s Toyota Tundra and trailer to make room for the RVs to make the turnaround. 
“I’ve been thinking about this for three days, now,” LeAnn said. The wives can back a boat trailer down a ramp like a pro, and they can handle the RVs just as well. 
First, there is a dirty job to finish. The sewer connection must be disconnected. 
It’s all part of RV life. 
The docking station has controls and parts for that job and other functions. 
When the dogs get loaded up, go time is near. Rowdy Gleason is ready to ride. 
But first, Randi has to take care of the dirty job at their RV. 
Same thing at the Palaniuk campsite, as Bella is loaded up and ready to ride. 
Normally, the husbands drive the RVs, while the wives follow behind in the tow vehicles with the boats. This time the roles will be reversed. 
Tiffany has finished the dirty job, and now it’s time to secure the steps to the entry door, stow electrical connections and hook up the RV to the truck. 
The Swindle load-out process is nearly complete, as Bama gets one final potty break. 
LeAnn will be first up to make the turnaround. The late morning departure time requires a sandwich for the road trip. 
Watson, the Weimaraner, will ride with LeAnn on this leg of the trip. Normally, he rides with Gerald, while Bama co-pilots with LeAnn. 
The trio goes over the plan for maneuvering around the turn-around. LeAnn said it’s like a final rehearsal, as they’ve discussed the plan before. 
LeAnn is first up. 
Randi, Tiffany and another camper spot LeAnn as she successfully makes the turn. 
Next up is Randi (and Rowdy).
Tiffany Palaniuk spots for Randi as she backs down a low ground clearance, to get in position to maneuver up the exit driveway. 
With LeAnn and Randi parked on the driveway, it’s Tiffany’s turn. 
Mission accomplished. The campers are ready to leave the campsite behind, as their husbands are out on the lake competing. It took less than 20 minutes for all three RVs to be moved and ready for the road. 
Destination is Blue Water RV Resort and Marina, located in Dayton, and very near the tournament venue at Dayton Boat Dock and Point Park. 
The route is 115 miles, across Interstate 40, through Knoxville, then down I-75 toward Chattanooga. 
A photo from above shows the trio of RVs.
Palaniuk’s truck and trailer are ready when he returns. He will then join Tiffany on Saturday evening, then begin practice for the Elite event on Chickamauga. 
Last but certainly not least, Andy Stallings, the tournament support rep for Phoenix Boats, joined the RV caravan to provide support, if needed. It’s all in a day’s work for him. 

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