SilverGate's Safari is Home at Last!

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After the struggle (during the hot afternoon) to get the street-side wheels high enough for the trailer to be level, we discovered that we only had 20-amp hookup power, and thus, could not use our AC that we were counting on!

I had also noticed, when pulling the trailer up on the blocks, that one of the truck wheels started to spin in the loose gravel. So then a pervading sense of anxiety set in, as I wondered if I would be able to pull the trailer up the (at least 10 – 20%) grade on loose gravel and dust upon our departure. (Our F-250 PSD is a 2-wheel drive).

And since we were at a partial hookup site, I realized that we would have to limit our production of gray and black water even more than when we were boondocking, to not make the trailer heavier! At least the rest rooms were nearby. But not the best way to begin an outing!

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Needless to say, we were not up for an elaborate evening meal. And luckily, we had brought already cooked chicken caciatore and eggplant, and the microwave worked!

For desert, we found Mango pudding topped with whipped cream delicious and soothing.

The following morning, the sun rose early and thus, the awnings were deployed early. And YES, they do help the trailer stay cooler!

After a bacon sandwich, I drove the 25-minute trip back to the house to bring back a bunch (7) of our house doormats (made from tires, see photo below). They would give me the peace of mind that I could get the trailer back on the camp road when the time came. I also enjoyed a cool shower and brought back a pizza pie-baking pan.

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So now, everything’s gonna be o.k. and we can enjoy a home made pizza!

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Larry had already made the pizza dough from scratch at home the day before.

We raised the charcoal level in the Smokey Joe by 2 in. to provide a hot fire to pre-cook the pizza dough which was placed on a perforated pan prepped with olive oil and dusted with corn meal.

The dough was then cooked for 3-min. on one side, then turned and cooked for another 8 min. Resulting in a crispy, thin crust!

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The next 4 steps in making delicious pizza:

1. Dust pan with cornmeal.
2. Spoon on tomato sauce.
3. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese.
4. Lay on pepperoni.

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Then drizzle pizza with olive oil, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and cook in covered Smokey Joe for 10 minutes.

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Then it’s a yummy pizza party under the near full moon (& do you see those orbs floating nearby like fireflies?)

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After eating and sleeping well, I was ready to explore the area.

There are nature trails in and around the park, offering wonderful views.

... and the reminder about the ever present danger of fires!

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And then return to the site and sit out the afternoon heat in the shade…

A second, smaller Mylar Palm Tree hangs from the window…
As it catches the afternoon breeze, we feel cooler.

And I think more clearly, and realize, that if I had originally backed the trailer deeper into the site, the trailer would have been easier to level!

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After seeing John Irwin’s column, Great Ideas, entry and photo (page 74, current Summer issue of Airstream Life), http://airstreamlife.com/, regarding replacing the screen door handle with a larger one, Larry found and installed a handle on ours that perfectly matches the bar handle style on our interior drawers and cabinets.

It is Amerock BP 19010-SS from Home Depot for $6.97. It is made in China for the Amerock Corporation, Rockford, IL. It is 5 & 3/8ths in. long and has a 1" space between the mounting surface and the interior part of the handle, making it easy to grasp. It is called a 3" Cabinet pull (stainless steel) and fits perfectly in the existing holes used by our previous handle.

We also added a Silver bell chain (belly dancer’s chain found at Renaissance Faires) to the screen door so we would hear if the door opens while we sit on the other side of the trailer at certain sites:

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Larry found water in the trailer’s license plate light holder after I recently washed the trailer.

He then provided a weather seal to this holder in the form of self-sticking rubber foam tape from Home Depot:

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(BTW... that License Plate light bulb will soon be replaced with a LED light!)

Raffia curtains from Party City add a festive, seasonal touch to the interior:

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We really like the Rangoon Bamboo accent and runner rugs from Target ($20 each) placed over Target’s Rug Stay, a polyester fabric coated with PVC, that will not stain or discolor floor.

(And the drawers and dinette cabinet door clear the rugs):

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Day of departure… or Extraction from Site Protocol!

After eating breakfast on our last day at Lake Jennings we prepared to leave.
I developed an Extraction Protocol (and added it to all of my other protocols).
Some of the highlights are:

1. Put rubber tire doormats in place and back truck to trailer and hitch up. (I now keep 4 large rubber doormats in the truck at all times. See photo of mat in post # 212 above).
2. Reduce or limit trailer weight, if possible. (Be creative and discreet).
3. Don’t put on Equal-i-zer bars until reaching level ground (where it will be easier).
4. Put F-250 PSD in 1st gear and Tow/Haul Mode.

Pull out slowly (and confidently because your PSD has the power)!

Well, I am happy to tell you that the truck pulled the trailer up to the camp road with ease and no spinning of the wheels (I had seen several smaller trucks spinning their wheels next door the day before).

So I have a renewed sense of confidence in the F-250 PSD.

And this Mid-Summer’s outing was a dream and not a nightmare!

Cheers!
SilverGate

07-07-07 (Rich L., Glad you also returned home safely!)