First Camping trip:
Our new camper is a 20 foot travel trailer and is what is considered an entry level camper. No slide-outs, no self leveling, yet is has a walk around queen bed, refrigerator with a separate freezer, TV, stereo, stove and oven, microwave and what is called a dry bath room. It has a good bit more room compared to our truck camper. The Boys like it and have claimed the bed as theirs.
We made a reservation at Curt Gowdy State Park for two nights and this is our shake down trip. We started the fridge to pre-cool, loaded up with food and other supplies and hit the road. The main purpose of this trip is to get settled into the camper, see where things go and/or should go, set up, etc. and see what we might need to add.
Curt Gowdy State Park is located about 35 miles from the house and to get a site with water and electric reservations are a must. The nightly fee for a site with electric and water is only $8.00 per night given we have a Wyoming resident annual day use and annual camping permit. A sight without any hookups is free with our permits. Diesel truck pulled the trailer really well as we rolled down the highway at 60MPH. As we approached the mountains we noted a good bit of snow on them there hills.
We arrived at the campground and checked in and headed to our designated camp site. The road was blocked by the concessionaire unloading fire wood into their storage shed. So instead of just sitting and waiting for them, we jumped out and helped unload their trailer. We then made our way to our campsite and pulled in and checked for level. We needed to raise one side a few inches so we got our leveling blocks out and drove the trailer onto them. The the first thing we need to add to the camper is a 2X6 to put the leveling blocks on to keep them from sinking into the gravel. We did manage to get level and the stabilizer jacks were deployed.
Water and power hookup were just like the truck camper so that was nothing new. All set up The Boys were getting a bit antsy as they had a new place to explore. So we took them for a walk to chill them out, they were excited to see other dogs and some critters. We did see a Rocky Mt. Blue Bird, I think they are a really pretty bird.
A mist started to roll in so we cleaned off The Boys paws and headed inside the camper. Ran the hot water till it flowed free indicating the hot water heater tank is full. Fed The Boys and started to cook dinner of Swiss Steak, mashed garlic parmesan spuds, chi tea, and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies for desert. The oven worked much better than the one we had in the truck camper.
We have the stereo playing tunes from the IPod as there is auxiliary and blue tooth capability with this system. We may test out the TV and DVD player this evening.
One feature of this camper we really like is the dining area. It is U shaped design and there are large windows in this area allowing one to sit and enjoy the scenery or the rain falling. We did find an electric heater on sale at Walmart to use as supplemental heater and help conserve LP gas. It is in the style of a small glass front wood stove with genuine fake flames. The outside temp is in the upper 30’s and this little heater has brought the inside temp up to 68F and it is rising.
Did I mention The Boys seem to really enjoy the queen bed. One thing about camping is I sleep really well, if I don’t have to fight for bed space with a Malamute. Kenai was a bed hog. The little electric stove served us well
We were up a little after 0500 and I took The Boys for a walk. Lynn made the bed and got The Boys breakfast together. She then joined me and The Boys to get another lap of the campground sniffing and marking so all would know they are Kings of this domain.
Coffee is on and we are having Cinnabon Bites and sausage this morn for breakfast. When in the camper The Boys seem to gravitate to the bed. Looks like the skies may be clearing.
The skies really cleared and we took the pups for a good walk, we saw vultures, a hawk, am osprey, swallows , Rocky Mt. Bluebirds, to name a few. I wish I had brought my big camera. We stopped and chatted with the folks operating the concessions and learned they maybe adding some more sites with water and electric, but no dump station. So we will make a bit of a detour on the way home to stop at the Wyoming Welcome center to dump our holding tanks.
We spent some time looking at Viking River cruise offerings and have pretty much decided on a trip to Egypt with them probably Feb of 2017. Will make sure to do a side trip to Petra in Jordan.
Played with the TV and think we may have it figured out, will hook up the DVR tonight.
Pups got a pre lunch walk and met some folks traveling to Alaska. They showed us a really kewl leveling device that we will be searching for when we get home. This will be a lot better than what we have now and more compact.
Had a Bald Eagle soaring overhead, yes I regret not brining the big camera.
Lunch was a grilled ham and cheese, with a tomato and banana on the side, with gram cracker cookie for desert.
We did a nice long pup walk as the clouds are starting to gather together. The temps are in the mid 50’s and when the sun is out it is rather pleasant. Back at the camper for some reading as The Boys rest up.
After a pre dinner walk we made cornbread and chili for the evening meal. The Stove and oven are working well. We did turn on the TV and there was a pretty kewl show on PBS with Steven Hocking and the theme of genius.
Pre-bedtime pup walk and we hit the sack, as t was warm in the camper we did not turn on any of the heaters. I did wake up at about 0130 and turned the fireplace. The outdoor temp was about 38F.
The Boys had us up at 0430 for a potty walk, after which we did not get back to sleep so we took them for a pre breakfast walk as the coffee brewed.
We decided that the artisan bread I made would make a nice French Toast so the breakfast menu has changed a bit. We will take our time this morning and slowly get packed up and head home.
Over all thoughts on the new camper are that it will work out really well for us. The size is just perfect with a good bit more room. All features are working and we are getting used to where things will be placed.
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