The "Dew Drop Inn" Chronicles

Am I the oddball here? OK, don't answer that one. I set my alcove up the other way. The flat side fits along the back of the hatch perfectly without interfering with opening it. Maybe because of shedding rain better the way these are set up?

Just wondering.

 

Yup, Ashe--these dudes & dudettes are NW'ers, their rain-coping skills are legendary. While us SW'ers are shade lovers. As that famous happy gal used to say: "Different strokes for different folks!"

Oh yeah, thanx for all of the great photos Mikey.

Regards, T

 

I think everyone has there own take on the perfect set up, that's what makes these gatherings so cool, you get to see how others do it. We position our alcove like you do AsheWolf but then we did have less dry area to work with during this weekends rain compared to those folks who clock it 90 degrees, so there you go.

Oh yeah, you're welcome T.



Michael

 

Michael thanks for the pics it softens the blow of being at home waiting for school to be out!

 

You're welcome Pat, here's a couple more.

Bill and Vicky's #549 pulled in yesterday afternoon.

2 very famous Camp-Inns are here of course, "The Nomads"


Jenn's #452


Bear's #70

Pretty cool to see how these veterans of the road do things.

Michael

 

Uncle Frank took on an apprentice at the NWRU mixology station while dad looked on approvingly.



Those lucky enough to be in attendance sampled the results of their noble labors.



Most everyone went on the Ape Cave excursion this morning, the Dewey crew however broke camp. We have family visiting Seattle from Toronto so we are now camped at the Seattle KOA, can't really recommend it but it is conveniently located.


The last we saw of the 4th annual NWRU as we headed to Seattle


Dewey's Seattle KOA campsite

Michael

 

Ashe,
Our camp is set up the way yours is (you can see it in the picture with Frank and his blender above...we are parked right behind him in that photo). I like the flat edge to go along the camper for a couple of reasons:

1) I can put 1 wind wall up and have one smaller opening on the side to walk in and out, which keeps the water out, we have good ventilation and our gear stays drier, especially last night when we got 1.5" of rain between 10:00p-6:30a. I also drop the tongue of the trailer down while I am in the galley during a rain storm so we don't have quite as much drainage coming off the back and soaking me while I am cooking. A little trick I learned from folks on the forum after our first camping trip. We raise it back up before bed.

2) When you go sideways like this, it not only gives you coverage over the table, but also over the cooler/fridge table. I will say the thing I need to figure out with the table extension is my tent positioning, because it pushes things out to the other side more, and my fridge was in the rain yesterday. This won't be an issue always, but for rain, I might go more compact. I love the extension though...don't get me wrong. Thank you Joe and Alex for picking those up for us!

T, thanks! We are born with webbed feet out here and our tenting and trenching and tarping and covering and Gore-tex and Camp Inns and Wellies/Bogs make it all worthwhile! We hope for the best and plan for the worst.

Michael, thanks for the pictures! I am only home a couple of hours and it is fun to relive it already!

 

You're welcome Sarah, nice camping with you.

Heh Pat

Saw you on I5 northbound this morning.



Looking good!

Michael

 

Thanks Jenn, great camping with you.

The Dewey crew had a great time in Seattle. We spent time with family visiting fromToronto. It's official, Seattle is the fastest growing city in the nation right now and that growth is thankfully being reflected in it's public spaces and places. If you haven't visited in a while or have never been come and check it out for yourself.


Olympic Sculpture Garden


Olympic Sculpture Garden


Chihuly Garden of Glass Museum


Chihuly Garden of Glass Museum


Seattle Public Library

We're breaking camp and heading back to the Peninsula this morning. If you find yourself at the Seattle KOA you gotta eat at Pete's Barbecue, best I've ever had, thanks for the tip Frank!

Michael

 

Kewl Michael, great you made to Pete's. I was going to cruise through the KOA looking for you, just before I got home, but picked up some Thai food instead...

glad you enjoyed it.. I go there about every other Fri for Pulled Pork Take out.. heheh, but I really go there for the Ice Cream...

fun... till the next time eh??

 

Oh man, we missed the ice cream, good eh, there's always next time, give us something to look forward to right.

Michael

 

Hey thanks Michael. There was a blocking accident down by Tacoma and it took forever for me to go four miles. I left Mossy Rock at 8:30. Everywhere else was smooth sailing.
Great job on the pictures of the gathering. Have fun.

 

Yo Pat... and anyone else coming down there...

the "Inside route" can be a lot faster once you get through the "Strip Center" (and No-no-no, it's not what you're thinking) of just shopping strips but I used this route, feeling I-5 would be packed. No problem...
WA-167 Eaton/Elbe/Morton route

there are usually 3 "choke points" on I-5 aside from Seattle and Everett..

going south from Seattle, choke points are Tacoma, Ft Lewis & Olympia
Just keep in mind for later use. Also a by Pass to those and back onto I-5.

I'm trying to get pics up shortly...

fun...

 

Thanks for the travel tips Frank. I'll try that route when going that way. I didn't have any trouble other than the hour slow down to go four miles.
I've been dragging my trailer around since I got home. Just practicing and didn't want to unhitch until I got her washed. I'll park her in the shop tomorrow and unhitch.
I had never used one of those car washes. It doesn't seem fair that the time keeps going while you are not using the water. I guess I'll do mine at home next time.

 

Nope, no without missing the views...

But?
Timing is everything..
Figure most traffic is heading into Seattle in the morning, and out of Seattle in the evening... the opposite lane is usually the speed limit

10:30 to 2:30 is the sweet spot to do either..
7-9 is the worst times depending upon the direction, In coming vs Out going...

You'll be fine if you just plan to avoid those times 405 is about the only alternative but it's jammed to during those times..

You'll be fine, just have a slow breakfast in the morning or an early dinner to while away the time..

fun...
Traffic is not...

 

If you take hwy 20 out to Deception Pass and go onto Whidby Island you can drive around Whidby and see the sights and take the Whidby Island to Port Townsend Ferry. Its a long trip but a beautiful one with stuff to see along the way.
You can take hwy 20 to Anacortes and see Washington Park. There is great camping at Washington Park and good views on the loop road. One way road that you can't take your trailer on. Maybe a two or three mile loop.
From the turn off to deception pass on out to Washington Park is about 20 miles?? So for a round trip of 40 miles you can see a great park.

 

If I was coming to Wa I wouldn't want to miss Deception Pass. By the way great camping there too. Or Washington Park. There are the forts on Whidby. The Deception Pass bridge itself is a sight to see. Also definately wouldn't want to miss the North Cascades Hwy. I don't have very much experience but am sure others can chime in with great things to see in that area.

 

I agree with Pat, if you don't plan to visit Seattle continue on highway 20 from the Cascades and take the ferry to Port Townsend. From PT the coast is only a few hours away. Keep Fort Townsend SP in mind as an overnight, the campground is perfect for tear drops. We're camped there now, I was just posting the following when I read your post. Give us a shout or pm when you're in the area and we'll try to hook up.

The Dewey and crew have come full circle and are now camped once again at Fort Townsend SP and once again have the place to ourselves, after the madness of the Seattle KOA this is a breath of fresh air, literally! No monster RV's with their monster fumes, no nasty stinking sewer hoses inches from our campsite, we couldn't use our designated pick nick table cuz it was next to our neighbors black water hose, now that's appetizing, NOT!!!!...plus our neighbors slide out covered half the table, so there's that as well!


AAAHHH!!!!!!

Saw another Camp-Inn in the wild at Squim Bay SP 2 weeks or so ago, nobody was around so didn't get a chance to say hello.


Any ideas?

Michael

 

In order to properly visit Washington you have to go on a ferry.