Ist camping trip in many years.

[Kip in Ga.]

We took our Casita out for the first time Friday, 4/01, for a 1 nighter. Purpose was to discover what we needed and didn't have and what we took but didn't need. Arrived at High Falls State Campground about noon Friday and left about noon Saturday. Truly wonderful getting back into a campground with all the great folks. The Casita towed and behaved flawlessly. The cube heater was set on the lower wattage and kept us warm all knight although the outside temp dropped to 38 Degrees.

There are no sewer sites. Our P-P is sitting in the shower floor and the area where the camper toilet is sitting is used for various storage.

By the nature of the things, the camp ground's one dump station could get pretty busy and pretty nasty at check out time. (Noonish) It was nice being able to drive past it and dump the P-P when we got home. Then a quick rinse with a little soap and water, in a clean environment, and it is like new again.

Drained the gray water tank into a bucket and poured it into the house toilet also. Neither the camper's gray water tank or the P-P's black water tank had any nore than a gallon in them.

[DeeJ]

We are going to be making our first camping trip in years too! We are set for the 15th, we will go for a couple of nights, first night, no hookups, we haven't decided which provincial park yet & then treating ourselves to a night at Westbay marina in Victoria.
It's so nerve wracking trying to think of all you might need or should you bother with, but don't want to take too much....

[Vickie B.]

Kip, glad you enjoyed yourself! Sounds great!

[Donna D.]

Don't forget to pack a camera and a journal! Most of all, have fun!

[Radar1]

Glad you got to check it out. We've never camped there, although we did a kayak trip there last year. Did you get to avoid the I-75 spring break traffic?

John

[Kip in Ga.]

Donna, we did take a camera, but forgot about a journal. Gotta create one of those. Thanks for the reminder. We did have fun! It is amazing how friendly campers still are.


John,

We have fished High Falls for years, but never really looked at the camp grounds. We thought we wanted the upper section , overlooking the lake. We arrived a little after noon Friday and they only had 3 sites available and they were at the River section. Seems we should have made reservations.

She said to take any site with a yellow post. I asked how we would know which sites were spoken for. She said they don't reserve "Particular" sites, only the number of sites. When we got down there we were plesantly supprised at the tranquility, cleanliness, and lay out of the grounds. As we were one of the first arrivals we had a lot to pick from. Actually decided to take Site #1, which was next to a camp "Host" and the entrace. Great site with lots of hardwoods and we got to watch the various trailers, campers, vans, trucks and such as they arrived. A fifthe wheel took camp site 2. They were headed back to Ontario from Florida. Nice folks, but an expensive way to travel.

After set up, We drove to the "Lake" section and decided the "River" section was actually more desirable, for us. We will take our bicycles next time. It was too windy to fish from the bank, but we stayed busy, looking, hiking, and talking with other campers.

There was lots of water coming over the dam and the falls. We coud hear the falls from our camper.
Can you tell I'm all excited?

Friday the traffic was fairly light on the back roads. Fayetteville to Hampton to Locust Grove, then a short stint south on 75 in medium traffic. Saturday, 75 was slammed and we managed to get into stopped traffic going north.

Kip

[Kip in Ga.]

Originally Posted by DeeJ

We are going to be making our first camping trip in years too! We are set for the 15th, we will go for a couple of nights, first night, no hookups, we haven't decided which provincial park yet & then treating ourselves to a night at Westbay marina in Victoria.
It's so nerve wracking trying to think of all you might need or should you bother with, but don't want to take too much....

Have fun! And simple modifications to fit your lifestyle are important.

We took too much stuff. Like too many pillows. We removed 4 before these pictures were made. Also decided we don't need a table inside. Would rather have the floor space. Ann used the folding table to cook stuff on outside on a single electric eye. She used it inside when making sandwiches.

In this arrangement her permenant bed is 30" wide and goes across the back. Leaving enough room for a seat on either side for sitting at a table if we need to. My bed is permenant also and both can serve as sofas if the need should arise. The gate is to keep the pups from getting past us when the door is open. With the spring off, it folds against the bathroom door.

With the exception of the P-P sitting in the shower floor, the bathroom is storage for junk we don't need but can't bare to leave home without, YET! She put hanging shelves in the closet which leaves room for fishing rods, awning handles and other taller stuff and a few things on the closet floor.

It will likely take a couple of trips to figure out what you do and don't need. But have fun. There is always a store close by.

Kip

[Kip in Ga.]

Originally Posted by Vickie B.

Kip, glad you enjoyed yourself! Sounds great!

Vickie,

Have ya'll gotten the "Bean" on the road yet? If so, is the Ridgeline meeting expectations?

Kip

[Vickie B.]

Kip----great pics and puppies!!!!

Ha Ha---it will be awhile before poor Bean sees the open roads! Last weekend we removed the fridge, furnace, and will probably remove the stove. Next is taking off the rat fur---which will be simple, as it pulls right off, leaving nothing behind! Yeah!

Haven't even used the Ridge as a tow vehicle yet! When we got the truck, Bean was in the shop being painted. By the time we got Bean back-----season was over. In fact, we still need to get the proper hitch arm (or whatever it's called) for the Ridge.

So much to do----so little time!!!!!

Vickie

[Kip in Ga.]

Originally Posted by Vickie B.

Kip----great pics and puppies!!!!

Ha Ha---it will be awhile before poor Bean sees the open roads! Last weekend we removed the fridge, furnace, and will probably remove the stove. Next is taking off the rat fur---which will be simple, as it pulls right off, leaving nothing behind! Yeah!

Haven't even used the Ridge as a tow vehicle yet! When we got the truck, Bean was in the shop being painted. By the time we got Bean back-----season was over. In fact, we still need to get the proper hitch arm (or whatever it's called) for the Ridge.

So much to do----so little time!!!!!

Vickie

I know what you mean. Sometimes projects can get to where they seem overwhelming. And the simpliest little things can become very time consuming. But if we keep plugging away they get done. I sincerely admire ya'll for being able to do that serious of a renovation. Surely it will be done right and be "YOUR OWN" creation when finished.

Kip

[DENNIS ARCHER]

Kip, consider joining us Oct 6th at the Land Between the Lakes Rally near Dover, TN. Had several folks there last year from GA. Details on rally in the rally section. Dennis.

[Radar1]

Kip,
Camper looks nice!

John

[Kip in Ga.]

Originally Posted by Radar1

Kip,
Camper looks nice!

John

Thank you John!

In the pictures the cushion covers look a bit "Overwhelming".

In real life they tone down quite a bit. Needed something that would wear good and not show paw prints if the dogs got on them with wet or dirty feet. Sometimes they forget to wipe their feet before entering!
So we chose this 10.5 oz Denium. It is about the same density as jeans and should take a lot of abuse. The original cushions are in storage.

We are having fun decorating this thing. Trying to make it livable for "us", safe for the pups, and festive without being gaudy. Well....Not too gaudy!
Kip

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Kip in Ga.

Donna, we did take a camera, but forgot about a journal. Gotta create one of those. Thanks for the reminder. We did have fun! It is amazing how friendly campers still are.

Keeping a journal is fun. Write down the space you were in, what you liked about it... and didn't like about it. When walking the campground, write down the space numbers you may rather camp in next time... or the spaces you definitely want to AVOID. Sure helps when making reservations

In the dead of winter, with snow on the ground and you find you're still weeks/months from camping... you can relive those memories by reading your journal.

[Kip in Ga.]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Keeping a journal is fun. Write down the space you were in, what you liked about it... and didn't like about it. When walking the campground, write down the space numbers you may rather camp in next time... or the spaces you definitely want to AVOID. Sure helps when making reservations

In the dead of winter, with snow on the ground and you find you're still weeks/months from camping... you can relive those memories by reading your journal.

Thanks,

I was thinking that keeping track of towed mileage for each trip would also be good.

Kip

[Jane P.]

Originally Posted by Kip in Ga.

Thank you John!

In the pictures the cushion covers look a bit "Overwhelming".

In real life they tone down quite a bit. Needed something that would wear good and not show paw prints if the dogs got on them with wet or dirty feet. Sometimes they forget to wipe their feet before entering!
So we chose this 10.5 oz Denium. It is about the same density as jeans and should take a lot of abuse. The original cushions are in storage.

We are having fun decorating this thing. Trying to make it livable for "us", safe for the pups, and festive without being gaudy. Well....Not too gaudy!
Kip

I LOVE those cushions. Great color and pattern! Looks like you did an excellent job sewing! Wish you were closer to help me redo my furniture!

[Kip in Ga.]

Originally Posted by Jane P.

I LOVE those cushions. Great color and pattern! Looks like you did an excellent job sewing! Wish you were closer to help me redo my furniture!

Thanks Jane!

We went back and forth many times deciding on that particular fabric. Finally decided to treat it like a solid that most anything would go with.

Interesting that when I ask Ann to hem a pair of jeans, she balks and says the sewing machine won't do denium. But when I told her the inside of the camper was her department, and do whatever she wanted, that old sewing machine did just fine.

Kip

[Vickie B.]

I love denim! You can never go wrong! Great choice!

[Terry R.]

Kip I love your twin bed configuration. Your trailer looks so well thought out and inviting.

We currently have a full size Southern Mattress in ours, along with our side sofa bed mod option always available. We have pretty much decided we will make the change to a rear twin in the next few years.

It is hard to shell out the money for another twin right now, since the full size one was so expensive and is very comfortable. The crawl over is the pain.

We were sure we wanted to switch to get the Liberty for the ability to have the twins. After thinking it through, we were so glad we did not get our Spirit sold. At least with the Spirit we always have an option for a grandchild or our youngest daughter to come along.

Again, really nice job your wife did with the inside. Terry R

[Kip in Ga.]

Originally Posted by Terry R.

Kip I love your twin bed configuration. Your trailer looks so well thought out and inviting.

We currently have a full size Southern Mattress in ours, along with our side sofa bed mod option always available. We have pretty much decided we will make the change to a rear twin in the next few years.

It is hard to shell out the money for another twin right now, since the full size one was so expensive and is very comfortable. The crawl over is the pain.

We were sure we wanted to switch to get the Liberty for the ability to have the twins. After thinking it through, we were so glad we did not get our Spirit sold. At least with the Spirit we always have an option for a grandchild or our youngest daughter to come along.

Again, really nice job your wife did with the inside. Terry R

Thank you Terry.

A full size queen bed is 60" wide, I think. With the 17'er the dinette area is 54 inches deep. Making that bed across the back 30" wide gave Ann half a queen size bed. That left 24" for seats on either side. Even if she is sleeping in. Turns out those seats are also beds for the pups at night. I sleep on the side sofa, (oh...he sacrifices we make for the ones we love ) so effectively we are sleeping 4. All with individual beds. Two just happen to have fur!

We put all the original cushions in storage. Ann bought new high density foam and covered that. It sleeps real good. She bought the pillows at an outlet for $2.99 each and covered them. Some are covered with that same denum with the reverse side showing.

I made up a small table using one of the rear table post and it would still mount in the forward floor mount. But it made getting in and out of the rear bed difficult and had to be removed and stored somewhere at night. So the folding table is more desirable for us.

Yes Ann did a great job of making it a livable home for our lifestyle. But let's give credit where it is due. I made and installed the gate!!!

Kip