Episode 12: Harvest Hosts vs. Campgrounds – Which One Wins? (+ The Story Behind Camping with the Innies)

Is a Harvest Hosts stay better than a traditional campground? In this episode of Set Up, Tear Down, we compare two very different camping experiences after staying at 1781 Brewing Company and Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views.

We share what surprised us most about each stop, break down the pros and cons of Harvest Hosts versus full-service campgrounds, and explain why the best choice really depends on the kind of trip you’re taking. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful overnight stop or a campground to settle into for a few days, we’ve got you covered.

Plus, we’re answering a listener question we’ve been asked more than once: How did “Camping with the Innies” get its name? (Hint: it has nothing to do with belly buttons!)

In This Episode

• Harvest Hosts vs. traditional campgrounds
• Our stay at 1781 Brewing Company
• Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views review
• Pros and cons of each camping style
• Which type of camping is best for different trips
• The story behind the name Camping with the Innies

Mentioned in This Episode

• 1781 Brewing Company: https://www.1781brewing.com/
• Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views: https://spaciousskiescampgrounds.com/shenandoah-views/

Follow our adventures:

• Instagram: @camping_with_the_innies
• Website: https://campingwiththeinnies.com
• Email: info@campingwiththeinnies.com

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave us a review, and share it with a fellow camper. Have a question or topic you’d like us to cover? Send it our way—it might be featured in a future episode!

Rich’s Retreat Recap : Massachusetts Camping, Road Trip Stories & Unexpected Mishaps

Our annual trip to Rich’s Retreat is in the books, and we’re sharing everything that made this camping adventure one to remember. From spending time with family around the campfire to exploring some great local stops, this episode is packed with real stories, travel tips, and a few unexpected surprises along the way.

Not every road trip goes exactly as planned. We talk about the gas can that somehow fell through our cargo basket while we were driving, a small battery that unexpectedly exploded in the cup holder, and why our Nissan Pathfinder may be giving us the first signs of a transmission problem.

If you enjoy RV travel, camping adventures, campground stories, tow vehicle maintenance, and honest conversations about life on the road, this episode is for you.

In This Episode

● Rich’s Retreat 2026 camping recap

● Campfire stories, food, and favorite memories

● Visiting Echo Hill Orchards & Winery

● Dinner at the Historic Steaming Tender Restaurant

● The gas can that escaped our cargo basket

● A battery explosion inside the tow vehicle

● Possible transmission concerns with the Nissan Pathfinder

● Lessons learned from another memorable camping trip

Places We Visited

Echo Hill Orchards & Winery: 
A family-owned orchard, winery, and distillery in Monson, Massachusetts. If you’re traveling through western Massachusetts, it’s a fantastic stop for locally made wines, cider, spirits, fresh fruit, and beautiful scenery.

Website: https://www.echohillorchards.com

Steaming Tender Restaurant
: Located inside the historic Palmer Union Station in Palmer, Massachusetts, this one-of-a-kind restaurant offers great food with front-row views of active railroad tracks—perfect for train enthusiasts and anyone looking for a unique dining experience.

Website: https://www.steamingtender.com

Antonio’s Pizza by the Slice
: A western Massachusetts favorite known for its huge selection of creative pizza slices—from classic cheese and pepperoni to unique combinations like buffalo chicken, mac & cheese, and more. It’s a quick, casual stop that’s perfect for grabbing a slice (or a few) while on the road.

Website: https://www.antoniospizza.com

We’d Love to Hear From You!

What’s the most unexpected thing that’s happened on one of your camping trips? Have you ever lost gear on the highway, dealt with vehicle trouble, or had a camping mishap that turned into a great story?

Share it with us—we may feature it in a future episode!

🌐 Website: https://campingwiththeinnies.com

📧 Email: info@campingwiththeinnies.com

📸 Instagram: @camping_with_the_innies

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave us a five-star review, and share the podcast with your camping friends. Your support helps us continue sharing real camping stories, travel tips, and adventures from the road.

Thanks for listening, and until next time… happy camping!

Tim, Kristen, Monty and Gadget

In Episode 10 of Camping with the Innies, we're deep into preparation mode as we get ready for our annual trip to Rich's Retreat, a longtime camping tradition hosted at Kristen's parents' backyard. Before we can kick back and enjoy the weekend, there are plenty of projects to tackle, and we're bringing you along for the journey.

This week, we discuss the camper upgrades and RV maintenance tasks we've been working on to get road-ready. From reinforcing interior shelving to strengthening the rear bumper and preparing it to support a cargo basket carrying our generator, we're focused on making our travel trailer safer, more reliable, and better equipped for future adventures.

We also talk about our first experience using Harvest Hosts and what we're expecting from this unique RV camping membership program. If you've ever considered staying at wineries, farms, breweries, or other Harvest Hosts locations, we share our thoughts on planning, preparation, and why we're excited to give it a try.

As always, we dive into the realities of RV ownership, trip planning, and the unexpected projects that seem to appear before every camping trip. Whether you're a full-time RVer, weekend warrior, or just dreaming about life on the road, this episode offers practical insights, DIY camper modification ideas, and plenty of camping conversation.

In This Episode: • Preparing for our annual Rich's Retreat camping trip • Our first-time experience planning a Harvest Hosts stay • Reinforcing camper shelves and storage areas • Strengthening the rear bumper for additional cargo capacity • Generator transportation and power planning • RV maintenance and pre-trip preparation tips • Travel trailer upgrades and DIY projects • Lessons learned from previous camping adventures

If you enjoy RV camping, travel trailers, campground reviews, Harvest Hosts stays, DIY camper upgrades, camping with dogs, RV maintenance, and family camping adventures, be sure to subscribe and follow Camping with the Innieswherever you get your podcasts.

Connect With Us:

🌐 Website: https://www.campingwiththeinnies.com 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camping_with_the_innies 📧 Email: info@campingwiththeinnies.com

We'd love to hear about your favorite Harvest Hosts experiences, RV modifications, and camping adventures!