Rise and Shine is my way of sitting down and having a cup of coffee with you! We talk about the new deals of the day, highlights from yesterday, and anything else that might help us save time, money or energy. Published Monday through Friday – as I’m able.
Good morning! How are you doing today? Yesterday we had big plans to leave Billings early, go to the Little Bighorn Battlefield and then dry camp north of Sheridan, Wyoming. We filled up our fresh water tank at the Billings and hit the road. About 30 minutes later, we stopped at a rest stop and noticed our fresh water tank was leaking – a very steady stream of water. Yikes! It wasn’t coming out of a valve, something was clearly not right. We removed the small panel covering it and it appears we have a crack in the seal that runs to the drain.
It’s possible we can do a quick fix by patching the leak – but our trailer is under warranty and we know when to defer to the experts. After calling airstream dealers from Missoula, Montana to Jackson City, Ohio we decided to head to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they’re earliest opening is August 5th. 🙂 We were planning to head to Northern Minnesota to see more extended family anyway, so this is only a slight detour. The biggest impact is that this leak means we can’t really dry camp – because our fresh water tank is what would hold the water we need to do things like wash dishes and flush the toilet. We CAN still camp at campgrounds with water hook-ups, because when we hook up to a direct water source that’s a whole other system all together. This is a bit of a bummer because there are so many national and state parks to camp in Wyoming and South Dakota – but many don’t have water hook-ups, so we will be staying at lots of private RV parks between here and Minnesota. Worst things could happen, the biggest downsizes are atmosphere and cost – as RV parks don’t offer the awesome views, space and nature that state or national campgrounds do – and they cost 2-3 times more.
Surprisingly we hit this “bump in the road” with very little angst. We’re going with the flow and our stress levels are at an all-time low since hitting the road – truly! My handsome husband climbed under the Airstream, which was dripping wet, cold water, to diagnose the problem. We worked together to come up with a plan B and at the end of the day we know this comes with the territory. I already have a place reserved in Minneapolis for a week and we are looking forward to exploring that area! There is a silver lining to this predicament and we’ll get her all fixed up and on the road soon. Share your favorite places in the Minneapolis area – family-friendly activities, restaurants, parks, events . . .we would be so grateful for your ideas!
Today I’m reporting from a KOA in Buffalo, Wyoming and later today we hope to check out Devil’s Tower National Monument tonight. Then on to South Dakota for a week before popping up to Minnesota. 🙂
Chipotle has a new fun sweepstakes and coupon offer – just head over to Chipotle Friend or Fauxand play the little game. At the very end, scroll down and enter your info to receive a buy one, get one FREE coupon sent to your phone! And you could get a chance to win Chipotle for a year – awesome!
Regal Cinemas Regal Summer Movie Express – $1 kids movies is live in cities across the country! Regal Cinemas offers $1 movie admission to popular kids movies at 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer. You can check out the Summer movie schedule – so you know what movies will play when. Just scroll down to the map and enter your local zip code for a full schedule.
Coupons
Head over here to print your coupons.
$1.00 off 1 Fleischmanns Simply Homemade Mix
$0.75 off Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain CC Breakfast Bars
$4.00 off ONE (1) Zantac 24ct. or larger
$1.00 off 1 Nature Made Adult Gummie product
$2.00 off (1) Friskies Pull ‘n Play Play Pack
B2G1 Purina Friskies cat food and Pull ‘n Play
$2.00 off any 1 PLAY-DOH Compound purchase
Online and Retail Sale
Disney Store – TODAY ONLY! Extra 40% off already reduced sale items with code EXTRA40 at checkout for savings up to 75% off. Shop Disney Store here.
Target Unadvertised Deals July 20 – Yoplait $0.36, Bounty $0.38, Snapple $0.93, and more
Today only, subscribe to Wired for only $4.99 per year (75% off the cover price!). You can order up to three (3) years at this price. Just enter coupon code QUEENBEE at checkout. Subscription includes digital download.This offer expires Tuesday 07/21/15 at 11:59 p.m EST.This offer expires Tuesday 07/21/15 at 11:59 p.m EST.
Shutterfly – *LAST DAY* Up to 50% off photo books, stationary and more, plus Extra 20% off with code HOTNOW at checkout. Valid through July 21. Shop Shutterfly here.
Crazy 8 – 50% off regular prices plus extra 30% off markdowns Shop Crazy 8 here.
The Nordstrom Anniversary sale has started! They have some great clearance and sale deals. All orders from Nordstrom have FREE shipping and FREE returns.
Janie and Jack – Extra 20% off Sale Styles. No code needed, price reflects discount. Shop Janie and Jack here.
Joe’s New Balance Deal of the Day – New Balance 856 Men’s Cross-Training Shoe – $49.99 (reg. $114.99). Shipping is a flat $6.95. Shop Joe’s New Balance Deal of the Day here.
Zulily – Featuring PUMA, Jane Cosmetics, Disney Back to School, Learning Resources and more. Shipping is around $5.95 per order, but can vary depending on your order size. Shop Zulily here.
Home Depot Special Buy of the Day – Magic Chef 6-Bottle Wine Cooler – $49 (reg. $79). Shipping costs vary depending on product. Avoid shipping charges by opting for in-store pick-up if available at your local store. Shop Home Depot Special Buy of the Day here.
Lane Bryant – TODAY ONLY! Extra 40% off already reduced clearance prices with codes LOVEITLB at checkout. Free Shipping on orders $75 or more. Shop Lane Bryant here.
REI Outlet Deal of the Day – Hi-Tec Nepal Jr. Waterproof Hiking Boots – Kids’ – $31.73 (reg. $65). FREE in-store pick up , no minimum required. Shop REI Outlet Deal of the Day here.
Payless – Back to School Sale – up to 40% off. Plus extra 20% off everything with code ZZJULY20 at checkout. FREE Shipping with $35 purchase. Shop Payless here.
Walmart Value of the Day – Animal Friends 12″ Ladybug Backpack – $6 (reg. $6.88). FREE Shipping to store or on orders $50 or more. Today only, while supplies last. Shop Walmart here.
Walmart Value of the Day #2 – 2-PACK D-Link Wireless Day Night WiFi IP Security Camera & Remote View DCS-934L – $89.95 (reg. $279.98). FREE Shipping to store or on orders $50 or more. Today only, while supplies last. Shop Walmart here.
Target – Buy One, Get One 50% off School Supplies and Backpacks. FREE Shipping on orders $25 or more. Save an additional 5% with Target REDcard debit or credit card. Shop Target here.
Gymboree – 25% off New Arrivals, Buy One Get One 50% off Uniform Shop and Markdowns up to 70% off. Shop Gymboree here.
Crocs Really Sexi T-Strap Sandal – $19.99 (reg $34.99) with code SEXI7 at checkout. Good through 7/21.
Crocs Duet Wave Flip – $17.50 (reg $34.99) with code DFLIP7 at checkout. Good through 7/21.
Vera Bradley – Up to 50% off sale items. FREE Personalization for online orders. Free Shipping on orders $75 or more. Shop Vera Bradley here.
Walmart has Thousands of new Rollbacks. Lots of the items are the same price or better than Amazon. They also dropped their shipping minimum – orders of $35 or more ship FREE and most items offer FREE Shipping to store.
Entertainment Book – All 2015 Entertainment Books $8 plus FREE Shipping. Entertainment Books are available for locations nationwide and contain thousands of 2-for-1 and up to 50% off discounts and coupons for fine & casual dining, local attractions, shopping, travel & more. Shop Entertainment Books here.
Save 25% on any other of your favorite Flirty Aprons with code COOLOFF25 at checkout. This code is good through the entire month of July.
Amazon Deals
We post Amazon deals throughout the day, see the latest Amazon deals here. See all of Amazon’s Deals of the Days here.
Amazon Deal of the Day – Hoover Linx Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, BH50010 – $99.99 (reg. $199.99), BEST price. This deal good today only, while supplies last.
Amazon BONUS Deal of the Day – Up to 60% off Logitech Accessories. This deal good today only, while supplies last.
My Little Pony Zoom n Go Rainbow Dash Doll down to $2.98 (reg. $10.99), add-on item, BEST price
Memory Game Despicable Me Edition – $4.79 (reg. $9.99), add-on item, BEST price
*Still Available* Audible.com promotion – For a limited time Amazon has a special offer for Prime members for a 3-month FREE trial for Audible (it’s usually just a 1-month trial offer). At $14.95/month, this is $44.85 value.
Recipes, meal planning, grocery store
See this week’s grocery ads here – Fred Meyer, Safeway and Albertsons and QFC deals and WinCo deals. Get the latest Costco coupon deals here.
QFC and Fred Meyer – 20% discount on select gift cards (GAP, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Sephora, Ebay)
Pacific Northwest Deals
Living Social – 20% off Local Services with code DAYOFF at checkout. Valid through July 21.
We’ve been talking about GoDirect Foods for a couple months now – offering high-quality meat products, like chicken and beef, for low prices – delivered on a regular basis, all year long to select Northwest locations in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Read my original post and review here. I’m excited to share that GoDirect Foods ordering is now LIVE for Oregon and Idaho! Right now all the Oregon and Idaho locations can order boneless, skinless chicken breasts at $1.67/lb! This is the BEST price we’ve seen in a long time and it certainly blows the grocery store prices out of the water.
Have a great day!
Get Rise and Shine as a daily email! Subscribe to get Rise and Shine delivered to you as an email immediately after I publish each morning. Get more details here.
Laura says
I am from the Minneapolis area and there is a TON of family-friendly stuff for you to do here! The Como Zoo is free (voluntary donations accepted) and lots of fun – not too huge. There’s also a conservatory you can explore and an old-fashioned carousel.
You’ll definitely want to visit the Mall of America, too. This post here walks you through enjoying the Mall of America with kids (including a suggested route): http://www.minnemamaadventures.com/2014/05/01/kid-friendlifying-the-mall-of-america/
One website to check out is Family Fun Twin Cities: http://www.familyfuntwincities.com/ They have an events calendar, a directory, suggested outings, etc.
If you have any other questions, feel free to shoot me an email as I’d love to help you out! I am very passionate about local deals and events and love where I live. 🙂
Mary says
If you go home via North Dakota, check out Theodore Roosevelt National park. It is like a mini Yellowstone. We made that same trek (Seattle to Indiana -via Minnesota) through Minnesota with an airstream about 4 years ago. We loved it! We picked up lots of snacks and such for the journey using coupons & following your blog. Our motto “it’s for the trip!”. Have fun. Like the comment before mine… Pick up a few 5 gallon water containers from Walmart camping supplies and you can pack a lot of your water with you (for dishes and flushing toilets, even national parks have showers). Store it in the shower.
Terry says
Hi, We travel in a 34 ft. fifth wheel. While it was still under warranty our converter went out while on the road. We contacted the manufacturer since we were no where close to a dealer and they allowed us to call a RV Mobile Service. We paid the bill and sent it in and was reimbursed promptly….for parts, service and their travel fee. Something to keep in mind for down the road.
Heather Clarke says
Hey Terry – That’s so good to know! Thank you for the tip!
Teri says
Really enjoying following your travel blog. Just a quick comment on the not having a holding tank right now. We used to camp a lot when I was a kid. I believe it was b/c the tank was really small on our tent trailer, we used to take along several gallons of water with us when dry camping and used it to flush the toilet and do dishes. We could usually refill the containers if the place had a public bathroom (where we would take showers) and keep going that way. Glad to see this didn’t cause you too much angst!