I woke up early, 5am, in anticipation of the Event. I announced to the sleepy eyed husband that I wanted to get out of the drive before the morning rush started on Belt St. freeway. Since he works evenings and had only had 5 hours of sleep, he grumbled and mumbled, but agreed it was probably a good idea. I had intended to back up the hill, but the trailer had another idea so we backed down the hill. I still haven't mastered the follow your thumbs technique offered by my neighbor. I made it just in the nick of time!
I parked it in front of the house and went in to have a cup of hot coffee and get the Grump fed.
We finally realized we needed gas, so we got ourselves together and made a mad dash for Costco before they opened and the rush started. We managed to get in and out without taking out half the gas pumps and I was very thankful there were no cars to deal with. Then we were off and it was only 8:30. We were doing great!
Having discovered the night before we had no electric cord to hook up the trailer, we were on our way to buy one. We arrived and found NO place to park. What kind of trailer sales and service place has no place for people with trailers to park? I managed to block only half of their parking spaces and instructed hubby to hurry. While waiting, another poor soul with a trailer bigger than mine pulled in and also realized there was no place to park. He kept circling like a buzzard waiting on his next meal, but I held my ground. Soon hubby was out the door, we were on our way and the circling buzzard RV took my place. Now all I had to do was get on the freeway without causing an incident. Success!!
Check in time for the park was not until 2pm so now we decided to practice parking in an empty parking lot at Post Falls, Id. We were a source of entertainment for about two hours for some gentlemen shopping with their wives. I still don't have the hang of the follow your thumbs rule, but I am better. Hubby got frustrated and decides that I need to let him show me how it is done. Well after about a dozen tries, he sheepishly grins and admits it is not as easy as looks! He can't follow his thumbs either! We parked, had lunch, said farewell to the Post Falls practice lot and went on our merry way.
We managed to find Farragut Park and checked in. We were having a great day! We got set up and only needed to connect the utilities. Surprise!!! WRONG electric cord, but of course it was. So, we unhitched the truck and drove 55 miles round trip to purchase a new one. OK, now we were in business. We had a wonderful evening and just puttered around enjoying our new little home away from home.
The next morning I was out looking around the trailer and happened to notice a storage compartment that we had overlooked. I proceeded to open it and SURPRISE there was an electrical cord inside. Dumb, Dumb, Dumb. So back we went to return the other cord. The guys at the counter chuckled and reassured us that everyone has issues at first. They were very nice and I am sure they were really thinking what dummies. Regardless we were determined not to let this ruin our outing. Back we went to the campground just in time for it to start raining. Oh yeah, it not only rained, it poured buckets. We decided it was an opportunity to catch up on some well earned rest and just enjoyed listening to the pitter patter of rain and the roll of thunder on the mountains.
We left the next morning without incident and headed back to Spokane. Now we were on a mission to find the dump station. We called a friend who gave us directions. Exit Argonne, turn left on Montgomery and it is right there. Sounds simple enough, we can do it! We exited, we turned and saw nothing but a car wash. Circled back and went the other direction just in case we missed it. Nope. Back we went in frustration and circled the block few times just in case we were blind. Still not there. I turn a corner without realizing it was a double turn lane and was unaware I nearly demolished a very large truck. When we stop to seek directions, one unhappy man pulls up beside me informs me it was indeed a double turn lane. He realizes I am truly horrified that I nearly demolished him and immediately toned it down and was very nice about the incident. We finally give up and call the daughter to have her Google the stupid dump station. SURPRISE! It is in the car wash! Now why didn't we think of that. We pull back around and there is a big motor home parked there this time and we realize we really are dumb, dumb, dumb. We do manage to correctly take care that business and we are off for home.
We got parked without incident and got everything unloaded. We actually got a good laugh and decided that over all it really was a great weekend despite all the mistakes. We are ready to do it and this time we know we really will enjoy it. The Beast has lived up to it's name and I think I will always refer to it as such. I still have one thing to conquer and that is the follow your thumb rule! I dream about it! Left is right, right is left.......
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Conquering Our Fear (Well Sort Of)
I faced the day with fear and trepidation, but knew that after months of fretting I would have to overcome them. We had planned to get an early start, but kept procrastinating dreading the moment. We finally got ourselves out the door with keys in hand to go get the little trailer of horrors.
Our history with the "thing" has been a love hate relationship. We held high hopes of now being able to move on with a fresh new relationship. After all spring is a time of renewal and we wanted very much to be able to start fresh and new in this relationship. We were optimistic that love, trust and commitment would come. We would even be willing to give it a "new" name like Little Trailer of Adventure or such.
Once we arrived, I backed up near perfect to get in position to hook up. Next thing I know, Albert is at my window with a look of questioning and let's say, not joyful. Did we bring the key to the ball lock? OF COURSE WE DIDN'T! That would have been the right thing to do. We had forgot every other key to the silly thing and I made real sure we had THOSE keys.
So back to house we go. That is not a short trip and especially not one you want to make with a 5.7 Hemi and gas prices lurking around $3.90 per gallon. But, we tried to enjoy the ride by taking the back way home through the country and enjoying the nice, finally warm, spring day. By the time we got back to the trailer we had reconciled ourselves to the fact that no matter what we are going to forget something! I will also say that one of those keys now resides on each of our key rings.
After several tries of backing up perfectly again, I left Albert to figure out the hitch while I went in and made sure there was nothing that would go flying when we took off. As I came out the door, I heard grumblings. Uh oh. Nothing ever goes back together as easy as it comes apart. He has a bad leg and was struggling with being down on his knees. I am standing there encouraging him and trying to be sympathetic, but he is the one who chose to quit physical therapy over my advice not to. After a few moments of gloating, I did realize he was having a hard time and found something soft for him to get down on the ground with and make him a little more comfortable. I was no help in remembering which bar went in what or which chain hooked where. Not my department so I chose to encourage him in between his venting.
Finally he stood back and said he thought we were ready to go. Now it was my turn to maneuver the thing out of it's space. We had watched one person take out a boat and so we decided to try the same technique. Should have thought that one through a little longer. The trailer is now on the opposite side of the lot, truck is at an angle and husband is yelling and waving arms "No turn that way. Turn that way!" Rolled up the window so I couldn't hear husband yelling and decided to figure it out on my own. Right is left, left is right. Light bulb moment. I had read to position your hands at the bottom of the steering column so repositioned. After moving forward a few inches and back a few inches, I successfully made the turn and it was headed for the gate. Husband was running behind yelling "Don't forget me." Hmmm, never crossed my mind:)
We were finally on our way. Now we started the debate of freeway or myway. My way won. I wanted a chance to get the feel of the thing before I challenged people on the freeway. Besides there is a lot of construction right where we had to get on and I had visions of being stuck under one of the downtown bridges. I do realize that eventually I will have to get on a freeway, but then maybe not. I am the back road queen. I call them shortcuts. Albert calls them baloney. Regardless I knew it would get us home and I was comfortable with it.
Off we go bouncing and along thinking we had conquered the world. Then came the first STOP sign and Five o'clock Friday traffic. Albert was yelling go, go, go forgetting I had 26 extra feet of vehicle to get across the road. I waited patiently for my chance. While making the turn I realized I had backed up traffic a little. Maybe 10-15 cars. Surprised nobody honked or I just couldn't hear over GO GO GO. Either way we made it. That was the only hurdle we had on the way. I got in the lane I wanted in and stayed there. Albert kept watching the white line on his side and was quick to tell me how close I was getting. I never crossed it, but yes I was close.
Then we got home. We live on Belt St freeway. That is what I call it since it is a shortcut to WalMart, is located between two major roads, two strip malls and a high school. Need I say more. Albert decided we should take the cross road located almost in front of our house and just shoot right into the driveway. We were not going to challenge the traffic in order to back into the driveway especially at 5 o'clock go home time. So he instructs me to wait while he puts out boards so I won't have to jump the curb as we have a small driveway and he figured the back wheels would catch it. He failed to tell me that he hoped I would turn mostly on the driveway and not through 6-8 feet of the lawn. Whoops!
It was in the drive, but a little crooked. Husband immediately starts yelling and waving arms. I roll up window and figure it out on my own. I did listen when he was advising me on how close to the steps I was since we have such a narrow driveway. Finally I heard "That's good turn it off." I turned it off and just sat there for a few minutes letting the realization that I now had a big honking trailer in my driveway and eventually had to back it out onto Belt St freeway. But then I realized that was another day and would face that giant when it presented itself.
We then proceeded to de-winterize the trailer. Instruction books in hand we proceeded. While Albert did that, I loaded up for our trip the next weekend. We are officially road ready. Well, the trailer is road ready. I have a week to mentally get there. I will be soooooo ready for a vacation by then.
I now realize there will always be something to challenge us on this thing and we might as well enjoy the trip. We are living our dream. Granted it seems like a nightmare some of the time, but it really is a cute little trailer and I am sure it will take us on a few adventures. I am looking forward to finding all the back roads that avoid freeways:)
Our history with the "thing" has been a love hate relationship. We held high hopes of now being able to move on with a fresh new relationship. After all spring is a time of renewal and we wanted very much to be able to start fresh and new in this relationship. We were optimistic that love, trust and commitment would come. We would even be willing to give it a "new" name like Little Trailer of Adventure or such.
Once we arrived, I backed up near perfect to get in position to hook up. Next thing I know, Albert is at my window with a look of questioning and let's say, not joyful. Did we bring the key to the ball lock? OF COURSE WE DIDN'T! That would have been the right thing to do. We had forgot every other key to the silly thing and I made real sure we had THOSE keys.
So back to house we go. That is not a short trip and especially not one you want to make with a 5.7 Hemi and gas prices lurking around $3.90 per gallon. But, we tried to enjoy the ride by taking the back way home through the country and enjoying the nice, finally warm, spring day. By the time we got back to the trailer we had reconciled ourselves to the fact that no matter what we are going to forget something! I will also say that one of those keys now resides on each of our key rings.
After several tries of backing up perfectly again, I left Albert to figure out the hitch while I went in and made sure there was nothing that would go flying when we took off. As I came out the door, I heard grumblings. Uh oh. Nothing ever goes back together as easy as it comes apart. He has a bad leg and was struggling with being down on his knees. I am standing there encouraging him and trying to be sympathetic, but he is the one who chose to quit physical therapy over my advice not to. After a few moments of gloating, I did realize he was having a hard time and found something soft for him to get down on the ground with and make him a little more comfortable. I was no help in remembering which bar went in what or which chain hooked where. Not my department so I chose to encourage him in between his venting.
Finally he stood back and said he thought we were ready to go. Now it was my turn to maneuver the thing out of it's space. We had watched one person take out a boat and so we decided to try the same technique. Should have thought that one through a little longer. The trailer is now on the opposite side of the lot, truck is at an angle and husband is yelling and waving arms "No turn that way. Turn that way!" Rolled up the window so I couldn't hear husband yelling and decided to figure it out on my own. Right is left, left is right. Light bulb moment. I had read to position your hands at the bottom of the steering column so repositioned. After moving forward a few inches and back a few inches, I successfully made the turn and it was headed for the gate. Husband was running behind yelling "Don't forget me." Hmmm, never crossed my mind:)
We were finally on our way. Now we started the debate of freeway or myway. My way won. I wanted a chance to get the feel of the thing before I challenged people on the freeway. Besides there is a lot of construction right where we had to get on and I had visions of being stuck under one of the downtown bridges. I do realize that eventually I will have to get on a freeway, but then maybe not. I am the back road queen. I call them shortcuts. Albert calls them baloney. Regardless I knew it would get us home and I was comfortable with it.
Off we go bouncing and along thinking we had conquered the world. Then came the first STOP sign and Five o'clock Friday traffic. Albert was yelling go, go, go forgetting I had 26 extra feet of vehicle to get across the road. I waited patiently for my chance. While making the turn I realized I had backed up traffic a little. Maybe 10-15 cars. Surprised nobody honked or I just couldn't hear over GO GO GO. Either way we made it. That was the only hurdle we had on the way. I got in the lane I wanted in and stayed there. Albert kept watching the white line on his side and was quick to tell me how close I was getting. I never crossed it, but yes I was close.
Then we got home. We live on Belt St freeway. That is what I call it since it is a shortcut to WalMart, is located between two major roads, two strip malls and a high school. Need I say more. Albert decided we should take the cross road located almost in front of our house and just shoot right into the driveway. We were not going to challenge the traffic in order to back into the driveway especially at 5 o'clock go home time. So he instructs me to wait while he puts out boards so I won't have to jump the curb as we have a small driveway and he figured the back wheels would catch it. He failed to tell me that he hoped I would turn mostly on the driveway and not through 6-8 feet of the lawn. Whoops!
It was in the drive, but a little crooked. Husband immediately starts yelling and waving arms. I roll up window and figure it out on my own. I did listen when he was advising me on how close to the steps I was since we have such a narrow driveway. Finally I heard "That's good turn it off." I turned it off and just sat there for a few minutes letting the realization that I now had a big honking trailer in my driveway and eventually had to back it out onto Belt St freeway. But then I realized that was another day and would face that giant when it presented itself.
We then proceeded to de-winterize the trailer. Instruction books in hand we proceeded. While Albert did that, I loaded up for our trip the next weekend. We are officially road ready. Well, the trailer is road ready. I have a week to mentally get there. I will be soooooo ready for a vacation by then.
I now realize there will always be something to challenge us on this thing and we might as well enjoy the trip. We are living our dream. Granted it seems like a nightmare some of the time, but it really is a cute little trailer and I am sure it will take us on a few adventures. I am looking forward to finding all the back roads that avoid freeways:)
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