The Hard Part

The hardest part of our vacation is getting ready. Of course the truck and RV have to be in good condition. We noticed the truck had an alignment problem - it had to have a stablizer rod replaced. When we bought the truck(2005/used) it came with a Banks system. A Banks system is suppose to help pull heavy loads and get better gas mileage. A part of the system had burned out and had to be replaced or the whole system removed. We had it replaced so we could get better gas mileage. $$$ Next Nick washed the RV and we cleaned the interior. Then for two days we organized and packed tools, clothes, fishing equipment, food, etc. during the coolest times of the morning and late evening. We keep dishes, cooking utensils, sheets and towels in the fifth wheel all the time. Nick also has a some tools, our fold out/inflatable 2-man boat and some fishing equipment already organized in the large storage area. The camper has a lot of storage. The closet and dresser area is just right for the different kinds of clothing we have to take. We start out in 100 degree weather, but spend most of our time in much cooler temperatures. We have a closet with jackets, rain gear and light wind breakers. We have a space for thermal underwear, thermal socks and sweat shirts (the thermal is worn when fly fishing in cold rivers for trout). The bigger closet stores our shirts, jeans and shoes. The dresser holds the rest. We are learning to take fewer clothes and use the laundry facilities provided at most of the campgrounds.
The last things we load are the canned goods, refrigerator food and personal items. I have a detailed list of things to take and check it twice before we leave, but there is always that feeling that we are forgetting something important. At last its time to bring in the slide outs and hook up the trailer to the truck. We're ready.
We finally head out June 12 - the trip had finally begun.
Next time - Buchanan Dam and San Angelo.

Welcome to Our Blog!

     Thank you for visiting our blog. Creating and writing a blog is very new to me, but something I have wanted to do for a long time. We hope our family, friends and anyone interested in traveling will check in often to read about our RV trips, fly fishing experiences and trips not related to RVing. Visitors should also be able to see our photo's. I'm sure I'll write about some other topics along the way, but for the most part it will be about our experiences traveling around our great USA!
     Who is Wolfie? Wolfie is our RVing mascot. I think I got my little stuffed Wolfie several years ago when I subscribed to National Wildlife. I have been interested in wolves since they were introduced into Yellowstone in the 1990's and as a retired biology teacher I am interested in all wildlife. One of our goals when we travel is to see and photograph wildlife. So Wolfie seemed a natural to be our travel companion (especially since Nick isn't ready for a pet of any kind). It seemed especially appropriate when we decided our first big RV trip would be to Yellowstone in the summer of 2008. We were hoping to see the wolves (we did) and my stuffed wolf seemed a natural to join us (besides he told me he wanted to go see his relatives). Since then Wolfie has traveled with us on all our camping trips. He usually rides on the front dash and when he gets tired or hot he takes long naps in a cool dark place. I'm sure you will see him in some of our photos! (Yes - I know its a little silly for a mature woman to have stuffed animals, but hey - I'm young at heart and have collected all kinds over the years!)
     Nick is still teaching full time so for now our RV trips are limited to the summer and Spring Break. This summer we will be leaving June 12. We are visiting family on Lake Buchanan and San Angelo. Then we will travel to Eagles Nest, New Mexico to visit friends and fish for trout in the Cimmeron River and Eagles Nest Lake. By June 26 we should be on our way to Wyoming and Gardiner, Montana. We will be in Gardiner for three weeks traveling into Yellowstone to fly fish, sight see and photograph wildlife. Then its on to the Tetons with more fishing and looking for wildlife. We will head to Cripple Creek, CO at the end of July and then home by August 8.
     My next post will be about getting the RV and truck ready for our long journey - vehicle maintenance, organizing and packing fishing and camp gear, rearranging, packing clothes and food, rearranging, more packing, etc...