Wednesday, June 21, 2017

A few comments on the trip

This was the first trip with our new Truck Camper and newer truck.  After 17 years of pulling a large 5th wheel trailer, we have now moved a different direction in our camping style.

The smaller size is nice when trying to get around in tight places and not needing 40 acres to turn around in.  It is not as comfortable as the larger trailers we have had as there isn't a sofa or recliners to relax in, only the bench seats around the dinette.  The bed is difficult for Jo to get around in because she can't get down on her artificial knees.  We did manage quite well for several days without electric hookups.  With a solar panel to charge our batteries, and the generator to use when needing the microwave we managed.  The only drawback to use of the generator is that it uses fuel from the LP tanks so we don't want to use it continuous for AC cooling.  It did work to cool the camper down after a days drive in the sun and then open windows and a nice breeze helped to make it livable.  I did however change our July trip plans slightly after this experience because we were scheduled for a three day stay in Canyonlands National Park without electric hookups and from the google earth images there aren't any trees for shade.  We now have a KOA campground with electricity reserved for those three days.

We also have developed a check-list for closing everything up inside the camper.  After one days drive we found one kitchen cabinet doors had come open from the rough road shaking and had broken dishes on the floor.  A couple of coffee cups, a cereal bowl, a french press coffee maker, and a wine glass were some of the losses.  After clean up, a trip to Walmart took care of replacement pieces.  Now a Velcro tie is on the list to secure those doors.

Our first night out campground was a USFS campsite in Indiana which is a good location but the site I had reserved wasn't very level, which we made work, however I looked around for another site that I will reserve for any future trips to visit daughter.

Our second night's campground was a very nice COE campground and reasonably level but it was about 12 miles off of the Interstate on a very twisting mountain highway so another campground will be utilized for future trips.  It would be a nice campground for a few days stay to make the drive in worth it but for only an overnight not so much.

Patapsco Valley State Park was a very nice campground and quite convenient for our visit with daughter.  I did locate another site number that I will reserve for our next visit.

Our last campground for this trip was a COE park near Wappapello Lake.  It was a nice quiet stay but again I walked around to locate another site to reserve for any future trips that might be made in that direction.

Another picture view along the Blue Ridge Parkway

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