Maiden Voyage

I was supposed to pick up my teardrop last October. Unfortunately, my normally reliable CR-V died on the way out of town. The problem was something that couldn’t be fixed in a day. By the time the problem was identified and the repair scheduled, there wasn’t time to get to Wisconsin and back.

Plan B was to have the trailer delivered a few weeks later. The driver was in regular communication. We arranged a drop-off time at my house, but he didn’t tell me he was driving a full semi. The streets in my neighborhood are tricky and he managed to get his rig stuck on a traffic circle. It was dark and raining and I wish I'd known he was driving such a big truck! The driver had to call a tow truck to get unstuck and we eventually did meet someplace more accessible. I drove the trailer home and got a crash course in backing into the garage. Despite the setbacks, I was delighted to have her home. And there she sat for many months.

The maiden voyage was this weekend, a spontaneous trip to the Olympic Peninsula. Two adults and three large dogs. The drive was great. The trailer was easy to handle. I had some initial concerns about a 4-cylinder engine being underpowered, but the car did fine. We originally drove to Kalaloch, WA. The campground was pretty full and we were hoping to find something a little more rustic. We wandered here and there. We let the dogs romp on the beach. (It was beautiful!) Eventually, we ended up at Ocean City State Park. By this time it was getting dark and I was ready to be out of the car.

We had a few minor issues backing up the trailer into the camp site. (Clearly, I’m going to need some practice here.) After that, setting up camp went pretty fast. We put up the REI Alcove, tied off the dogs, started a fire, and had a celebratory beverage. A little rainy, a little cold, but we were camping!

We let the dogs sleep in the trailer, which I knew was a bad idea (having tried it at home). But I’m a softie and I thought it might work. Bad idea. Not enough room. Too much hot dog breath. Too much condensation. They ended up sleeping in the car.

So, we got up the next morning, a little crabby from fussy dogs and interrupted sleep. I started the propane stove for the first time. Yay! But then I discovered there wasn’t any coffee. Boo! We forgot to pack it. That meant a trip into town. We decided that was our cue to head home. So, we broke camp and hit the road.

Despite the mishaps, I think it was a good trip. I was excited to have time with the trailer (someplace other than the garage). It was good to practice driving, hitching, unhitching, etc. I learned a few things about planning and packing: Bring coffee or have an emergency stash. Make sure Band-aides are easy to find so you don’t have to rummage around while bleeding. Give the dogs their own sleeping space (car or side tent). Make camp earlier in the day.

Each little oops is going to make the next trip that much better. Can't wait to figure out when/where that'll be!

Happy camping!

Laura

 

Congrats on the maiden voyage.

Our maiden voyage was memorable as most folks first few nights are.

We camp with our small dog but that first night we dealt with hot dog breath and too much condensation as well, due to us forgetting to crack the windows.


J

 

Heheheh sounds like a fun trip.

Usually there is a "Break in" campout near civilizations etc.. LOL, but C'est La vie...

fun trip, you learn what to do and what not to do as you go along.
I'm heading out there for the PNW Oly Loop in early March and figured Kalaloch wouldn't be jammed, but it was?? Yikes...
Anyway, hope you all can make it to the PNW Meet at Moss rock, you can get a lot of info from the different set ups there too. Saves reinventing the wheel so-to-speak..

See you all on the road...

 

Laura, if you had gotten a 560 you would have had a couple of bunk beds where you could have parked a whole pack of dogs, I am just saying :grin:

I would wholeheartedly endorse matriculating at the Bear Camp-Inn Boot Camp. We have only taken the basic course, class of 2011, but Jenn has done the full course and has earned an advanced degree. All it will cost you is some interesting conversation with an interesting person.

 

Hey, Laura. So good to hear from you. Glad you got your trailer out of the garage and over to the coast. We've camped at Ocean City SP a few times with Scouts - always in March or April and always raining! I've been wanting to do it without a bunch of wet, smelly boys.

As all of the posters ahead of me have said, you'll figure something new out each time you take off. Joan from Beaverton has a trick for backing-in: she puts one of those orange cones in the spot where she wants her left rear trailer end to wind up - do I have that right, Joan?

We have a little tupperware container permanently residing in the kitchen that's full of Starbuck's Via instant coffee.

Kathy

 

Yes, Kathy, that is correct. When I arrive at my camp site, I do the 'scoop' maneuver (there is a YouTube video), walk the site to determine where I want my back tire and place a red cone there. That is what I aim for when backing up. Last time I went camping, I was amazed at how quickly I backed into my site.

 

Laura welcome to the forum and good luck with with your Camp Inn.Sounds like your ready to have some fun after your delivery nightmares.ENJOY!

 

I too do the 'swoop' maneuver.

Practice, practice, practice backin up. Teardrops turn very quickly due to short wheel base. My 18 year old son gave me one 30 minute lesson, then I practiced in school parking lot.

Expect an audience when you back in at home and camp ground. So fun watching others, it is entertainment. Sometime I hit dead on first time, others I have to circle the campground.

I noticed a huge improvement in backing abilities after one season. You will find your tricks and knacks to successfully place the tear into the desired spot.

Jean

 

I think it was crowded because it was a three-day weekend for people with Presidents' Day off.

 

Sounds good. Thanks, Bear!

 

You know, I actually considered the 560 for that very reason. I thought the bunks would be perfect for dogs. But I wanted to stay within the tow capacity of my CR-V. Live and learn, right?

 

Oh yes, Via is on my list!

Thanks for the tip about the orange cone. Makes sense to have something to aim for.

 

Great tip! I'm going to search for the YouTube video today.

 

Well, just found this one, but it's the "Scoop" not the 'Swoop" heheh but fun to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLtfrBWzNCw

Yah, Pres Day, forgot about that... so March should be clean or cleaner.. less people, more fun.

Couldn't find the "Swoop" one with the cone...

 

That's the one. Sorry about the wrong name. I updated my previous post.

 

Hey Frank, depending on the week, you are going to run into Spring Break in March. Might be a little more crowded the last couple of weeks of March. Just a heads up!

 

Oh Mann... will have to check it out.. Planning on the Oly trip 1st week or so in March so thinking might be ok. Deschutes and Silver Falls should be OK regardless... but thanks for the heads up.
Gotta start paying attention to those Holidays I guess.. heheh.. used to look forward to them...
Enh?? now, not so much..
Thanks Sarah... appreciate it..

 

Welcome, Laura. You've entered a wonderful world of adventure. Keep camping and sharing...and practicing the back-up. Jim and I have some grand times doing that. He always wants me to stand outside and guide him in...and then he ignores everything I say and does it his way. Gotta love the guy.

Good thing he's so cute.

Sue

 

Thanks, Sue!