Tango and I take off in 2 days and, of course, I am excited! The days have been warm (for the PNW) and sunny, perfect for moving things between the van, car, and RV. Some stuff in the car I will need for the summer (jackets, shower kit for the Y) so it gets moved to the RV. I won’t be needing some kitchen stuff in the RV so that gets moved to the car trunk for storage. I won’t need some heavier jackets in the RV so they go to the van. This is how life is, moving things around each season.
Today was also a good day to wash and wax the RV. I try to do that every 6 months. Sometimes, like in Spokane, I get lucky and find a car wash with a tall bay that fits the RV. However, the spray wax is never as good as hand washing and waxing like I did today.
After I finished washing and waxing, my neighbors came out and washed down part of their RV. They told me that I motivated them to do some work outside. I have never met them; they mostly keep to themselves indoors. They have the largest motorhome I have ever seen. It is twice as long as my little camper and sits much higher than mine. When I am walking back from the marina, I notice how the huge RV towers over mine.
The wife and I chatted while the husband worked. She was semi-friendly to me, which is typical of straight-laced, affluent married people. I managed to get her name – Nila -but she never asked mine. Sometimes the husband talked from his perch on a ladder, but all he did was complain. Seriously. Every word from his mouth was a complaint, and he scowled as he talked. I was reminded of why I am single. I could not put up with that for even 24 hours. I would much rather have my small, manageable, maneuverable RV than live with that guy in a rolling palace. I wish more women had the wherewithal to live without a resident jerk, but the tradeoff of a grand lifestyle seems worth it to so many. Or, maybe he is a nice guy but is in pain or ill or sick of getting older.
Back to upcoming travels. I am not the only one who is excited about summer adventure. The FB groups that focus on RVers are full of downright giddy posts from “first-timers” who are making their maiden voyage. Taking your RV out the first time is a super big deal. You are both nervous about driving the thing but also elated that you are finally on the road. Most of us have been dreaming about doing this very thing for a long time so it is an extra special moment. I had three firsts: first time in my van, first time in my popup camper, and first time in my RV.
Anyway, so RV newbies are jumping for joy. It is as predictable as April Showers and May flowers. Then there are oldies, like me. We’ve been doing it all year so when Spring comes it is nothing new. We are cool, calm, and collected. Easy listening music cool. Instead of running around in frantic bursts, we saunter around as we prepare, humming softly. We back the tow vehicle right up to the hitch the first time. Then, the “hitching up” process is flawless. Like all the other cool folks, we remember to roll down the antenna and close the vents. We slowly pull out, window rolled down, our arm resting casually, a big smile on our faces. Yep, we cool. We have been doing this all year, and now we are just gliding to the next adventure. We be pros, bless our hearts.
Well, not exactly. Things are much easier now but not flawless. I should have the van backed into position after 6 tries but that sure beats 12, which I had to do several years ago. I may remember the vents and antenna but will likely leave a wheel chock in place. Sometimes I don’t realize why I am not moving so I step harder on the gas. Then, I roll up and over the chock, which sends things flying inside the van and RV. Ooops! Not the best start, especially when other RVers are standing around staring and waiting for you to do something stupid.
Anyway, regardless of how the hitch-up and drive-off goes, I am ready. I cleaned the RV inside and out, filled the fresh water tank, emptied the black water tank, and switched the frig and water heater to run off propane instead of electric. I don’t go far at first, just to the RV dealer to have him check and maybe replace the RV brakes. After that, we head to coastal Washington, which is not all that far either. It is new-to-me which makes it a grand adventure.
From Sequim, I head west on Hwy 101, to Rialto Beach. I go through Forks, hoping that the werewolves ignore me. Many other stops on the peninsula until May 17, when I attend a bluegrass festival in Shelton, also on the map. BTW, Neah Bay on the northwest corner is the northernmost point in the U.S. Mainland. Some sites say that a place in Minnesota is the farthest north. Who knows! They are both up there.
Note: As per usual, I won’t have regular Internet while I am traveling. I will post updates as I can!
