First camping trip of the year invigorating

Garnet and I are off to a slow start this camping season. We had made reservations in January for a four-night stay in March and again in April, but our best plans needed to be adjusted due to family matters. We finally made it to Site 23 in Potholes State Park on Sunday, May 15.

We began preparing the 26-foot Hideout travel trailer for the camping trip a week before leaving. The RV antifreeze was drained and all the lines flushed.

The refrigerator was cleaned and restocked. All of the cupboards were emptied, the items surveyed and restocking conducted. We know we should empty all of the cupboards of food items each fall, so we can use them during the winter, but we never seem to get around to accomplishing this chore.

Our before-departure chores have become routine. Garnet takes care of the items inside the trailer and outside tasks are mine. She has decorated the inside with a hanging clock, wreath, calendar and thermometer. These are all removed and placed on the bed.

In addition, anything on the counter must be placed in the sink or in plastic tubs, purchased for this purpose. These include cooking utensils, spices and a drip coffee pot.

I back the truck close to the trailer and attach the ball. The trailer hitch is raised and the truck is backed into position. Now I know a 12-year-old farm kid can back a truck or trailer with ease, but getting into position on the first try is a big deal for me.

The hitch was attached, the sway bars put into place, as was the electrical plug. The slide out was taken in, the chocks removed, the front step placed in travel mode and the lights checked. We were ready to roll.

The trip to Potholes was uneventful, the Ram performed splendidly and the Hideout just followed the truck as expected. When we pulled into the campground, another Hideout was visible. The owners waved as we passed.

Setting up at the camp site is mostly a reversal of the preparing-for-departure procedure. Usually Garnet will get out of the truck and guide me to the proper spot. We have been to Site 23 so often, this procedure was conducted on one try, but without a guide. I simply backed in to the proper spot with Garnet in the truck with me. Again, this was an amazing feat for me.

The truck was disconnected, the slide extended, the trailer leveled and the water and sewer connected. A new item was found in the RV section of a local retail store for use at the campsite.

This is an attachment for hooking the water hose to the trailer. It has a 90-degree bend, which has it pointing down when in place. The hose is attached and is point straight up when in place. When the hose is attached directly to the trailer, it hangs in place, while this new device puts little pressure on this connection.

We settled into our camping mode and began to relax. Sunday evening we ate leftovers brought from home. Toast, with peanut butter and jam provided our Monday breakfast and a sandwich for lunch.

Two cyclists pulled up to the trailer Monday afternoon. They were Jo and Ron Felthoven, the owners of the other Hideout, from Arlington. They looked over our trailer and said it was the same floor plan, but theirs was a few years newer. Later in the day, we visited them and toured their trailer.

Garnet used her recently published Nuwave infrared oven to cook bratwurst for our evening meal on Monday. This was the first time she had used the Nuwave and we were both impressed.

Tuesday we had commitments at home. While at the house, Garnet started four chicken thighs in a slow cooker with spices, cream of chicken soup and topped with lemon slices. These were great eating, simply delicious.

Our breakfast meals continued to be toast and the lunches were sandwiches. Wednesday evening we hate leftovers of brats and chick thighs.

A trailer pulled into Site 24 in the afternoon and established a campsite. Later I was outside when a small Chihuahua arrived for a visit, with the owner close behind.

I asked the man to wait as I grabbed our Chihuahua. Garnet descended the stairs with little Brenda Star.

“I know you and I know you,” the man said pointing to both of us. “I read your columns in the paper.”

It was Juan Montemayor and his wife, Irma, who joined us for a friendly chat about our life in Moses Lake and raising Chihuahuas.

The next day we were preparing to leave when a trailer was backing into Site 22. It was Vicki and Chuck Lybbert, also from Moses Lake.

“We have to plan better next year,” Chuck said.

I have known him since my school days and we will coordinate our times at the park for more visiting.

We were on the road in an hour or so and home within 30 minutes. The first camping trip of the year was under our belt.