RV-ing It

Last Sunday we set out for our first-ever stay in a recreational vehicle. Something inside both of us has always wished for this experience. We had stayed with Mab and Joe Hoover (my mom and her husband) in their RV out in Death Valley one weekend many years ago, but hadn't done it alone. Long discussions about insurance, gas prices, and driving such a large vehicle always made us shy away from renting one. However, during our stay in Anza Borrego last year, our friends, Jim and Linda Roller, showed us a lovely RV park there. Wonder of wonders, the RVs, actually fifth wheel trailers for rent, were already parked, stabilized, and ready for occupancy.

We were excited and pleased with our surroundings; desert beauty, clean sites with various types and sizes of RVs nearby, and "our" RV, just waiting for us to enter and enjoy. I was anticipating the "dollhouse" effect, and was only a bit dismayed when I could hardly step up on the first of four steps into our home for the next three days. They were killers! At least there was a strong bar on the side of the RV to hang onto as we climbed, and we made it up and in.

Once inside, Don immediately bumped his head on an overhang, and I was reminded of seeing
 Joe, , bash his poor forehead at least twice during our outing with them. Sorry to say, Don exceeded Joe's bumping record within the first twenty-four hours. He's a tall guy!

By the way, the picture at the top is of daffodils Don brought secretly in the trunk to put out on the teeny-tiny table. . He knows how much I love flowers, and this bouquet brought me joy for three days. Of course, the scent of them was everywhere in the RV, and that was a good thing. Some of the other closed in odors weren't quite as nice. It was a very small space!

Speaking of small, as delicately as possible, we ended up going over to the restrooms at the pool. Three by three isn't optimum for, well, anything. Quote from Don: "I'd rather stay in a tent!"

One more gripe, and then I'll focus on the positive; trailers are designed to travel securely. That means no cupboard door or drawer should be able to open on its own while on the road. Seriously? I almost broke fingers and nearly pulled my shoulder out of it's socket trying to get into the silverware drawer and the towel closet!  Of course, the bathroom door opened by itself whenever bumped by a knee!

Cooking was fun after getting the burners lit with a match (oops, positive now, sorry), the bed was super comfortable once we climbed over stuff to get in (uh oh, did it again), and the view of stars in the middle of the night made it worth falling off the last step down. (darn) All in all, even including the 4.7 earthquake, we loved our little, tiny, short vacation! No need to have the discussion of renting one ever again.