Camping Trip #1 ... Stark Naked Style

Our family is currently undergoing some adjustments

1. We decided to be a one-income family meaning Stark is now a stay-at-home dad
2. We reprioritized what's important for our family and weekend-family is a necessary priority.
3. We realigned our assets to facilitate our priorities by:
• Trading in Stark's SUV for a used Metro Ride-Share family van
• Purchasing a (in need of TLC but still usable) weekend warrior travel trailer
4. We started camping (!!!) and subsequently initiated the 'new-to-trailer-camping' painful learning period.

 

Camping trip #1 

Twentynine Pines Campground along the Teanaway River, WA

Lessons Learned

1. When towing a trailer, should you experience a rumbling sensation that starts and stops suddenly, and is not a result of the vehicle you are riding in, it's probably the result of a blown camper trailer tire. 
2. Sun-checked tires, no matter the apparent amount of tread, will blow out when under tow for any significant distance. The tread will come off of the tire, beat up the wheel well, and wrap itself around the axel.
3. Always have a spare tire on hand.
4. Tire repair activities are very interesting to young children
5. Ellensburg Tire Center is open on Saturdays, has very helpful staff, and decent prices on replacement trailer tires, AND spares. 

 *Helping* Daddy replace the trailer tire

Huck is a boy through and through.

He naturally gravitates to tools, tires, and dirt.

Just a pic of Della looking adorable as we hiked from Ellensburg Tire Center to the Fred Meyer 

 

Rewards (?) of Camping Trip #1

1. Della learned how to sleep on a top-bunk
2. Della learned a new favorite phrase; "sleep on the mountain" which equates to "can we go camping again"
3. We renewed our love for morning family snuggle time
4. Discovered that chucking endless rocks into the river provides endless toddler entertainment
5. Perfecting throwing techniques by chucking fallen pinecones against pine trees.
6. Reinforced Della's already thriving love for the Great Outdoors
7. Reinforced Huck's desire to walk rather than crawl across the prickly pokey ground 

Della preparing for the first night in her Baby Bird Nest' (top bunk)

 

 Practicing her #3 in preparation for her birthday

Huck is an early riser, Della is not.

Morning snuggles (bed thieves)

The new sport of Fishing For Sibblings

Securing her catch     -     Hook, Line, & Sinker

A relaxing evening with the Family

 Huck getting into things and perfecting his walk (9months old)

 Welcome to the Family camper trailer ...

Please hold-together for a few years ... pretty please.

I should note that we were able to put the spare tire to good use only 20 minutes from home when another tire blew out loudly on the freeway. Stark has super-fast tire changing skills!! All tires have since been replaced with new.
We are now working on resealing the roof and researching rv batteries and recharging practices.