First Camping Trip!!

[Dawn309]

You go, girl! You did it. You deserve a big old glass of wine or your drink of choice!

[JudyJB]

Oh, and once I recover, I'll be hitting you all up with some more questions!

One big one is about hanging things. Apparently, on some of the "hangable" surfaces, what looks like wood is fake wood, so you aren't supposed to use those Command strips because they could peel off the covering. (Disappointed in some of the finishes.) Supposed also to use some special things on the outside walls.

Two things I really want to hang is a barometer that an aunt and uncle are giving me. Another is a clock, preferably one that will glow in the dark. Also would like one of those mini things that are meant to hold a remote so I can put a small flashlight in it.

Wait!! I am putting a small wooden table there, next to my eventual recliner, and there is a place to fasten it to the wall using the old screw holes where the dinette used to be. I could put something there. I have to cut out a section of the back and the bottom of this small table so it will fit around the water hose that is sticking out there. It sticks out about 4" high and about 6" x 4" from the wall, so it won't damage the structure of the table!!

[carold]

Judy, never have had a problem with the command strips and I only have "fake wood". carold

[JudyJB]

Maybe I will try one in an inconspicuous place.

On a positive note, because the first day had a high of 44 and low of 36, the third day got up to 80, and it rained and blew like crazy the last night, I was able to determine that the furnaces (2 of them, one front and one under the bed) worked great, as did the AC, and none of my vents and skylights leaked! (I was up at midnight checking the ceiling with a flashlight.) Even the refrigerator kept things cold and the freezer froze stuff.

One negative was that I think the bulbs in the reading lights were extremely bright and I did not like that they got so hot. I may try to replace them with something slightly dimmer and not so hot--maybe LEDs???

Am finding and packing all my maps right now. Had taken only the ones for my trip out west, duh. Like I needed to know how to find places in Arizona when I was lost in downtown Mansfield. Also, ordering a new GPS.

Next trip I will figure out how to work the DVD player and the combination car radio and backup camera. I was afraid to switch the latter or I would lose the backup camera, which this time seemed to give me more rear view.

[AlmostThere]

Spent three hours in the dealer and got everything fixed. Will no doubt have to make another trip before I head out west in late June.

Big event today was that my GPS took me through downtown Mansfield, OH, during rush hour, on the way to the storage lot. (My son lives near there, but I am still not confident in driving around that area, so was relying on the GPS.) I can describe Mansfield only as an older city with a crowded downtown area, with lots of turns and not very wide one-way streets. So there I was in a 32' vehicle, not knowing how to get out of the mess and only able to follow the dumb voice. Oh, and did I mention it took me under a 12' railway bridge?? You know, those old narrow ones? Luckily, I had verified before the trip that my RV was 11'6" but it was certainly not comfortable.

And of course, my map of Ohio was in my regular car.

Anyway, made it and backed into the storage spot. Unloaded and now home. Whew.

I think that was a scary venture that you handled with grace and you got through it unscathed.
Proud of you!

[bluepinecones]

Judy - glad things went well on your first trip.
Like you I don't care for those bright, hot overhead lights. I'm not trying to read with it but so far with VERY limited experience, am mostly using the light in the range vent plus little lamp. Let me know if you find something you are happier with; in meantime maybe try a small lamp.
I am also thinking of adding a wireless wall sconce.

[Nasoosie]

CONGRATS, JUDY!!

It sounds as if you had a varied and interesting experience for your first trip! You handled things much better than I think I would have! I am still not comfortable hauling my trailer through places I have never been, especially cities with those low bridges, dead ends, and so on!

I have two small table lamps I use with those twisty bulbs in my trailer which provide more than enough light with no heat and no glare. I just pack them into my bathtub while traveling. The hot overhead lights were made for ballroom dancing, or something, I suspect!

Give yourself a big pat on your back!

[MsJane]

Maybe I will try one in an inconspicuous place.

On a positive note, because the first day had a high of 44 and low of 36, the third day got up to 80, and it rained and blew like crazy the last night, I was able to determine that the furnaces (2 of them, one front and one under the bed) worked great, as did the AC, and none of my vents and skylights leaked! (I was up at midnight checking the ceiling with a flashlight.) Even the refrigerator kept things cold and the freezer froze stuff.

One negative was that I think the bulbs in the reading lights were extremely bright and I did not like that they got so hot. I may try to replace them with something slightly dimmer and not so hot--maybe LEDs???

Am finding and packing all my maps right now. Had taken only the ones for my trip out west, duh. Like I needed to know how to find places in Arizona when I was lost in downtown Mansfield. Also, ordering a new GPS.

Next trip I will figure out how to work the DVD player and the combination car radio and backup camera. I was afraid to switch the latter or I would lose the backup camera, which this time seemed to give me more rear view.

I also took things one step at a time, mastering one task before moving on to the next. I really liked reading about your first trip - thanks for sharing.

[Acadianmom]

For some reason my GPS wants to take me through every downtown area I pass. There must be a way to change that but I haven't found it yet.

My motorhome came with a remote holder that I really like. It's like a stretch web pocket. It is wide enough and deep enough to hold three remotes and the manuals for the satellite and the microwave which I seem to use the most. I never noticed if it is screwed or just glued to the wall.

Martha