First Trip in the RV

So, we are off on our first RV trip…    But before we departed, there was some preparation work to be done.

I spent a couple nights “playing” in the RV.   I opened every space I could find and flipped every switch I could in order to figure things out.   I checked all the fluid levels like the Idiot’s Guide to RVing told me to do.  

The trick was to FIND all of the dipsticks and fluid reservoirs!   And holy moly!   I discovered the transmission fluid dip-stick is literally 5-1/2 feet long!!

Then on to checking the light bulbs.  I replaced a bulb in one of the overhead lamps.  Felt pretty proud of myself for figuring out how to remove the cover!   Then I found a bulb in one of the three-way wall lamps was out.  I removed the darkened bulb successfully, but as I inserted the new bulb, I heard a little sizzling and crackling sound, followed by several lights going out.  Eghads, what had I done!?  I quickly figured out some lights worked and some didn’t.  Must be a fuse.  Now, where were those 12v fuses again?  

After running to an auto parts store and buying 42 fuses and a fuse puller/tester, I was back in business.  So just to be sure the bulb is what blew the fuse to start with, I tried it again.  Fuses – 2, Doug – 0.

Cheryl was busy stocking the motorhome with LIGHTWEIGHT things.   The idea being of course is we have the RV loaded and ready to hit the road with very little prep time.  So we have gathered items from the store, from home and from garage sales.  We splurged on a couple of things.  Cheryl found a mini-blender for her morning protein shakes.  I ordered a small George Foreman Grill.   The kitchen and bathroom are well stocked.   We have color coordinated throw rugs.  Cheryl even found some colorful towels on sale at Target.

Remember that blender mentioned above?  It's hot pink.  Well maybe an off-mauve color.  Wait...  Cheryl tells me the color is actually fuschia.  And so is the multi-function Dirt Devil vacumn Cheryl picked up.  Seriously folks, we are taking color coordination to unheard of levels!

Gassed up.  Watered up.  Loaded up.  Time to hit the road.

As we headed north, I asked myself, "Now what were all those things I was supposed to remember?"  Right, increase my following distance, remembering that now fully loaded my stopping distance is increased.  And as it turns out this is very true.  I learned to downshift to 2^nd to help slow me down, but keeping my distance was the best plan.  Besides, it was easier for cars to cut in front of me when there was more room.

Let’s see, what else?  Get in the center lane and just stay there.  That seemed to work.  The rig runs well and we were always able to maintain our speed, so no worries about Washington’s law regarding the delaying of 5 or more vehicles.   At least on this trip where we didn’t have a lot of hilly terrain!

Cheryl puts her freshly painted toenails up on the dash and sits back in comfort.  With duct tape over her mouth.  You know, so that I could drive…   Just kidding of course.   

The GPS guided us up I-5 to just past Mount Vernon where we headed east on Hwy 20, destined for a KOA Kampground in Concrete WA.  Estimated arrival time was 7:30.  We arrived at 7:47.  Not bad given all of the traffic from Lynnwood to well north of Everett on I-5. 

At the entrance to the campground, we were given our assigned spot.   We followed the map to site #105 where we discovered a group had sprawled out a wee bit, using our spot for one of their vehicles…  Someone passed by that knew who owned the truck and it was quickly moved.   Now to back in to our space with EVERYONE watching.  OK, just a few.  Maybe 5 or 6.  But still, the pressure was immense.

Low and behold, it only took me one attempt and we were set.  Even properly aligned with the power/water pedestal!  Yeah for me!  Haha   

OK.  What am I supposed to do next?   Oh yeah.  Leveling jacks down.  Check.  Hook up power and water.  Check.  Deploy the awning.  Check.  Turn on the hot water heater.  Check.  Turn on refrigerator.  Check.  Turn on the A/C.  Check.  Ahh yes, this camping is tough stuff I tell ya. 

Finally, we opened the wine, sliced a variety of cheeses and relaxed.

Good first trip so far!   Thanks for coming along with us.