A LOOK BACK AT THE FIRST YEAR

[Colliemom]

Now that I have one season of RVing under my belt, it's time to look back on what I have learned, accomplished, and hope to do, after finally making the decision to buy my RV last year. It was a season of challenges, triumphs, some if, and, or buts and what ifs. But it was also a year with a new sense of freedom and confidence in myself.

What have I learned and what have I accomplished? I learned that I can indeed pull a travel trailer and I can hitch and unhitch by myself. I learned how to tow, how to back up, how to get into my campground spots, how to level, set the jacks, dump and flush out the tanks after each trip, how to put out and retract my awning, how to use the different systems on board. I learned how to stay away from lakeshores in windy weather, how to weather the "weather", how to drive in the rain, and that, although you never really get over the fear of something happening, you will overcome it and that some fear is good. For if you become too complacent, things will happen. I learned that I am not the only bumbling idiot out there who is doing this for the first time and that others are doing the same thing and learning too. And with time and practice we will get better. For this will always be a life long learnng process. And at the end of the season, I learned to "Winterize" my rig and hopefully did it right.

I have gained a sense of independence, not that I haven't had it anyway, being a tomboy all my life. But I have become a stronger person for having done this. I had to conquer that feeling of "lonliness", cause all those times with my parents came flooding back on my first couple of trips. And I have opened the doors to my love of the open road even wider. And I also regained some of my old time camping skills and my love for "outdoor cooking" has returned. I remember back in Girl Scouts when we used to make.......

I enjoyed the trips I did take, althought short cause of work schedules. And I enjoyed seeing and talking with different people, whether it be about our dogs, which was a big topic, the places they have been and experiences they have had, their rigs, or just general conversations. I enjoyed returnng to camp at Fayette State park where mom, dad and I enjoyed a number of trips years ago and seeing the ever constant changes in the Fayette Townsite as things are restored. And I revealed in beautiful sunsets at another park I stayed at and returned time and again there. If I am sorry about anythng, it's the fact that the weather in late Sept. was so cold and wet and that I had a cold besides. I would have loved to have taken a week and just roamed the U.P., the first week of October. But it didn't work out this year.

So now with a new year ahead, who knows where the road may lead. I hope to take the trailer out as much as I can and get more and more used to doing things with it. I hope that I can take a couple of small trips to see how I like pulling it on longer drives. This coming year is the second part of my dream of eventually hitting the open road for a while every year and it will be the year that I decide if it will be with this trailer or perhaps another type of RV. And so it will be on to further adventures of Sue and the Furry Crew.

[mitch5252]

..

Great post, Sue! I enjoyed it a lot. And a huge CONGRATULATIONS to you for all you have learned and accomplished. Women can do anything!
Now, bring on Camping 2011!!!

..

[AlmostThere]

I second that, Mitch!! Woohoo! Come on warm weather!

[Carolinagal]

Make that 3 votes for camping weather !!!! I have no real plans but do know I want to do something this year, last was not my fun time.

Sue you told your last year really well. I think that first paragraph pretains to others also. I know 10 yrs. ago, I could have written something like that. You said it very well !!!

Thank you,
CArol

[BirdbyBird]

And every trip is another learning experience...or relearning.....even after 6 years...it is possible to drive down the highway with your antenna up No tree limbs got caught this time.....

[flick4411]

What a great post! Really enjoyed reading it. I hope to be able to post something similar next year, right before I take off across the country for "home"!! I took a piece of red duct tape about a foot long and folded it in half long ways. I tie it to the crank for the antenna when it's down; when it's up, I tie the tape to the steering wheel. I can't miss it before I drive off so then I'll remember to roll down the antenna. I realize it's not the most important thing, but i guess it represents that I've run the checklist and done everything I should do before i drive away! HAHAHAH! Tomorrow I am taking the Foo Foo over to a friend's house...they wanna see her in all her glory. All that adoration and some good home made Italian food too! Should be a good day!

Sue, you give me hope that the FEAR will abate somewhat; I realize that practice makes perfect. And I agree...you are right about having a bit of fear to keep your head clear. Here's to always being aware!!!

Have a great night ladies!!!!

[mitch5252]

...Tomorrow I am taking the Foo Foo over to a friend's house...they wanna see her in all her glory. All that adoration and some good home made Italian food too!

..
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.

..

[Carolinagal]

Oh Poor Mitch, its so hard isn't it? Being good I mean

CArol

[sharon]

...Tomorrow I am taking the Foo Foo over to a friend's house...they wanna see her in all her glory. All that adoration and some good home made Italian food too!

..
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.

..

WHY START NOW??? YOU'VE BEEN THIS WAY FOR SO LONG IT MIGHT MESS WITH YOUR HORMONES!

[sharon]

And every trip is another learning experience...or relearning.....even after 6 years...it is possible to drive down the highway with your antenna up No tree limbs got caught this time.....

[flick4411]

...Tomorrow I am taking the Foo Foo over to a friend's house...they wanna see her in all her glory. All that adoration and some good home made Italian food too!

..
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.

..

So how much are you struggling? I know it's gotta be killing you, isn't it? Go on, say it; we know you want to...have to...need to.... Oh and by the way, there will be others there too...not just me and my friend...but his wife and another couple too! Sounds like fun don't it????

[VickieP]

So how much are you struggling? I know it's gotta be killing you, isn't it? Go on, say it; we know you want to...have to...need to....

She posted it to your FB instead!

[flick4411]

No worries, Mitch and me got the FB fixed. Was just silly enough that most wouldn't have thought twice about it, but my niece is sooooooooooo darned smart, she'd really start something that would just get out of hand. So Mitch and I just deleted the...er, um...questionable posts, and life is good. We'll save the crap and silliness for here, where my family isnt reading every day!!! ROLFMAO!!!

[Liz]

Great post, Sue! You can be proud.

[OutandAbout]

...Tomorrow I am taking the Foo Foo over to a friend's house...they wanna see her in all her glory. All that adoration and some good home made Italian food too!

..
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.
OMG. I WILL NOT GO THERE BECAUSE I WILL BE GOOD THIS YEAR.

..

Mitch,why are you doing this to yourself? You know it can't last. You were NOT meant to be GOOD. So just stop it now before you hurt yourself. Linda