Joan's Excellent Adventure

[JoanE]

My first camping weekend in my rig went well after my illustrious start on Thursday afternoon. I arrived at Oscar Scherer state park and warned the woman in the office that I was new at this so give me a large space, preferably where I cannot blow up any other campers. She did give me an easy space to back into and told me to call her if I encountered any problems. I called with 10 minutes of parking my rig. My electric isn't working. She walked me through a checklist over the phone but decided to send "John", the camp host over to see if he could help out. Before John arrived, I had already figured out that I needed to switch the circuit breakers in the electrical box from 20 amp to 30. So when John arrived I was already chilling down with a/c blasting. John asked if I had hooked up my water. What water? I don't see any hookups for water. John looked in the shrubbery alongside my campsite and found the faucet. He put my flow adapter on my brand new hose, hooked it all up, gave me some pointers about putting borax in my cubbies to keep out bugs and to keep all cubbies and openings closed to keep out snakes. SNAKES!!!!! I did not sleep that night listening for every rustle.

My friend Laraine and her husband brought over a wonderful chicken supper on Friday evening. My friend Judy brought over two bottles of champagne. My two daughters brought beer. I already had about four bottles of other wine in the RV. Needless to say, we had a good time. I had left the campground on Friday to get the new arm installed on my awning, so I had the awning out when everyone arrived. Later in the dark, after all that alcohol, the same arm jammed while trying to get the awning to roll up but daughters and I got it unstuck. Saturday was a three mile hike through the park with my friends and then I was left to camp with Maggie (she was not very happy this weekend, even shrugging out of her harness at one point and taking off down the road. Luckily two bikers herded her back to me).

I put the awning out again but a passing camper noticed me doing it and ran over to assist. I waited until no one was around later in the evening to take it down. After all, I need to be able to do it alone. No problems. I had figured out why it jammed and avoided that issue. This morning was the new experience of dumping my tanks.

All in all, a successful weekend with a few hiccups. Oh, the internet connection there was awful. Very slow, so I went without. Need to equip the RV with items I wished I had had, stock up and next weekend my youngest daughter Mandy and I will head for upstate NY for two weeks. I am wondering why I am so tired after my relaxing weekend camping.

[VickieP]

Congrats on your first experience. So overall, how do you rate your trip? I think by your description it was a wonderful learning experience. Only one problem, where's the pics?

[Ladyhawk]

Cool! Sounds like you had some nice people helping out along the way. Hope each trip gets easier and more relaxing.

[JoanE]

Vickie, I was so consumed with what I should or shouldn't do that I didn't take any photos but my friend Laraine did. Only problem is she lost her camera on our hike. Hoping Judy took some photos. Will get from her.

[sharon]

Sounds like a perfect trip to me....no boo-boos on your rig, nothing blown up, no broken bones or bruises on you, made it home safe and sound and already planning the next trip. How much more could you ask for? And oh yeah, having fun sometimes makes you tired....or was it all of the alcohol????

[sharon]

And we'll let you slide on the photo's THIS trip!

[mitch5252]

..

What a great first Excellent Adventure! That's too bad about the pics.
Next time, it'll be a piece of cake.

But one important thing I learned, don't get complacent when you're hooking up to hit the road. It's so easy to forget something - something that may be important. I walk around the trailer and car very slowly when I think I'm done, not letting anyone talk to me. I've caught several things that way.

Let the good times roll. Congrats!

..

[Getupngo]

Wow. A relatively uneventful first trip. Good for you. Hope it's only the first of many happy adventures to come.

[BirdbyBird]

Sounds fabulous Can't wait until two of you get out for serious travel exploration

[Excel]

When I'm getting ready to leave, along with the walk around, I always ask myself...what is it that I absolutely have to have that I cannot buy on the road should I forget it....Medications usually are the first thing people think of & quarters for the laundromat might be on the list...maybe cameras or special shoes...Anyhow, hope you get the idea...doesn't hurt to take a moment to ask yourself what you really can't do without....

[cpatinjones]

Congrats on your first RV trip!

[Bethers]

Yay! A good first trip. As to walking around the rig before leaving a cg. I always do that. So please explain to me how a couple months ago I managed to leave the step I was using outside. I walked around TWICE and still left it. So, when walking around, be more observant than I was that time!

[Acadianmom]

When I pull out I look back to see if anything looks familiar, like my door mat. My cabinets and drawers have push button locks and I seldom make it to the road without having to stop and lock one.

When my boys and I first started camping I would wake up every time someone moved. Guess it's something you have to get use to, now I don't even notice.

The camp host didn't have to bring up snakes. After living in the country for 35 years I have kind of learned to identify some snakes so they don't freak me out so much. I did manage to pick up my sister's cat one time.

Martha

[snowball]

sounds like it was a really nice time Joan...much better then some of our first trips and that is a good idea to ask your self what might I need that I'm not willing to buy...we live in ours full time so if I forget it hmmm I'm in trouble...we pulled away with the steps being down long story made short ended up buying 4 tires not due to the steps but when putting them up realized how bad they were...
How fun to look forward to a trip with your daughter enjoy it ok?
sheila

[avalen]

congrats on your first trip, now that you have that under your belt there will be more and more and MORE.