We have now completed three one-night trips in our new-to-us RV.
The first time, we went to a local fancy campground - just off the freeway in South San Jose. We didn't have our new fancy camp stove yet, so we cooked inside - and discovered the lack of a fan in the vent over the stove didn't work - the smoke detector went off. Charles could not figure out how to hook up the sewer system, and was sure there were pieces missing, so we went to CampingWorld afterwards and the tech came out and showed him that the aftermarket modification the previous owners had made just made it confusing, but all the parts were there. When we left CampingWorld, with an appointment to return Aug. 5th to put in a fan in the vent and to install the backup camera/GPS we bought separately, the power to the cigarette lighter plug (which we were using with an inverter to power my computer while we were driving) went out, so that needs to be fixed too. The internet connection was disappointing. Sleeping was mostly comfortable, and the shower was tolerable, though I'm not sure I can wash my hair (too low of pressure).
The second trip was into the Santa Cruz mountains in Felton, to give Charles some experience handling the RV in the mountains. I essentially had barely any internet at that campground and our phones didn't work either. Camp stove worked great. Plumbing worked too. Felt more confident. Still need to figure out how to adapt to cold damp nights and which windows/vents to leave open to feel comfortable without using the heating system or A/C.
Third trip was a blast - mostly because we had Kirmy and David with us (I can't believe we didn't take any pix at the campsite!). Went to a lovely KOA campground (Costanoa) on the coast north of Santa Cruz (which meant another trip over the windy mountain road Hwy 17), near Ano Nuevo state park - wonderful place, which we will go back to again for a longer stay (I wanna ride the horses, and go to the spa, if you get my drift!). Hiked out to the beach with K&D, and the next day, we went on a hike to see the elephant seals in Ano Nuevo. Parking near the "comfort station" was a good idea (especially with 4 people, two of whom are DSers!) - gives an alternative for both bathroom and showering. We thought we forgot the eggs (although they were in the back of the fridge after all), so we went to the lodge for a lovely breakfast in the morning.
Tuesday we get the fan and backup camera put in, and get the electricity fixed - Charles figured out it was just a fuse.
I think we're ready for a 3-5 day trip now, and I'd like to stay at least 2 days in one campground. Where to go, where to go??
But I need to figure out the internet issues - because the whole point of this RVing thing for me was that I can work from anywhere - but NOT without adequate internet access.
The first time, we went to a local fancy campground - just off the freeway in South San Jose. We didn't have our new fancy camp stove yet, so we cooked inside - and discovered the lack of a fan in the vent over the stove didn't work - the smoke detector went off. Charles could not figure out how to hook up the sewer system, and was sure there were pieces missing, so we went to CampingWorld afterwards and the tech came out and showed him that the aftermarket modification the previous owners had made just made it confusing, but all the parts were there. When we left CampingWorld, with an appointment to return Aug. 5th to put in a fan in the vent and to install the backup camera/GPS we bought separately, the power to the cigarette lighter plug (which we were using with an inverter to power my computer while we were driving) went out, so that needs to be fixed too. The internet connection was disappointing. Sleeping was mostly comfortable, and the shower was tolerable, though I'm not sure I can wash my hair (too low of pressure).
The second trip was into the Santa Cruz mountains in Felton, to give Charles some experience handling the RV in the mountains. I essentially had barely any internet at that campground and our phones didn't work either. Camp stove worked great. Plumbing worked too. Felt more confident. Still need to figure out how to adapt to cold damp nights and which windows/vents to leave open to feel comfortable without using the heating system or A/C.
Third trip was a blast - mostly because we had Kirmy and David with us (I can't believe we didn't take any pix at the campsite!). Went to a lovely KOA campground (Costanoa) on the coast north of Santa Cruz (which meant another trip over the windy mountain road Hwy 17), near Ano Nuevo state park - wonderful place, which we will go back to again for a longer stay (I wanna ride the horses, and go to the spa, if you get my drift!). Hiked out to the beach with K&D, and the next day, we went on a hike to see the elephant seals in Ano Nuevo. Parking near the "comfort station" was a good idea (especially with 4 people, two of whom are DSers!) - gives an alternative for both bathroom and showering. We thought we forgot the eggs (although they were in the back of the fridge after all), so we went to the lodge for a lovely breakfast in the morning.
Tuesday we get the fan and backup camera put in, and get the electricity fixed - Charles figured out it was just a fuse.
I think we're ready for a 3-5 day trip now, and I'd like to stay at least 2 days in one campground. Where to go, where to go??
But I need to figure out the internet issues - because the whole point of this RVing thing for me was that I can work from anywhere - but NOT without adequate internet access.
