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Maiden Voyage Experiences
Yahoo Message Number: 97562
Last weekend we departed from our home in Southeastern Washington and drove 35 miles to Juniper Dunes.  Juniper is a BLM managed wilderness area.  We also loaded the three place motorcycle trailer with our motorcycles.  Another family came with us to ride motorcycles but could not stay the night.  We made the choice to boondock for our first trip.  This report will outline our experiences and highlight the things we learned from our first trip with the 22' FL.

Thanks to the helpful packing tips we received, we had ALMOST everything we needed.  Let me first begin by explaining how happy we are with the layout of the 22' FL.  We were amazed that a 22 foot RV could comfortably house two families for the weekend; including four adults and three young children.  We were also impressed with the durability and quality workmen ship from a 21 year old RV.  Our friends commented that they had never seen such a good use of space from a motorhome.  Some of the more fun times during the trip was when everybody was sitting in the front lounge eating, talking and cracking jokes.  Amazing that we were able to have seven bodies congregated in one area of the short 22 foot long rig.

As we arrived to Juniper dunes we scouted level areas so we could comfortably park the LD away from the main dirt road where ATV's, motorcycles, toy haulers, sand rails, etc. travel throughout the day and night.  Once we found the place we'd camp for the night, I got the ramps out to level the LD.  This was pretty easy.  All we needed was the two ramps in front to level the coach.  My biggest surprise was how easy I was able to set up the awning.  I grew up with motorhomes and every RV my dad owned had an awning.  This was always a two person job.  I was able to set up and take down the awning on our LD by myself.
 Now for the things we learned.  We did have a notebook and wrote down everything that we forgot so that next time we use the LD, those items will be packed.  That was a suggestion that we got from many of your helpful tips.  Maria commented that she was missing or wished she had packed some tuperware type containers for the kitchen.  The night before Maria prepared spaghetti sauce.  We used the microwave to heat up the sauce and cooked noodles on the stove.  We appreciated having such a good meal for camping.  We learned however that spaghetti may not be the best choice for a meal when there are young kids.  Thankfully there were no spills but the potential was there for a two year old to get red sauce on the upholstery.  Next time we will cook more kid friendly meals.  In the evening we'd wished there was hot chocolate in the RV.  Next time we will bring some.  Also, we need some sort of carpet runner to preserve the original brown carpet.

We brought the board game Scrabble.  After putting our seven month old daughter to bed on the top bunk for the night, Maria and I pulled the sofa out, transformed it into a bed and almost two hours later I got BEAT bad by my wife in Scrabble.  Being an English teacher (Maria's profession) has its advantages.  I teach history.
Throughout the weekend we commented to each other how blessed we are to have an RV and to have found a Lazy Daze.  We can't wait until our next trip.  Not sure when it'll be.  We are talking about taking the LD to Leavenworth Wa. for there annual Christmas tree lighting festival in early December.

Thanks to all of you for your helpful tips that made our maiden voyage a success.

Rob, Maria and Selah.

p.s. We created a photo album titled Maiden Voyage.
Re: Maiden Voyage Experiences
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97564
What a great report, Rob! Just reading it put a smile on my face. :-)

"Maria commented that she... wished she had packed some Tupperware type containers for the kitchen."

For leftovers, I've found that Ziploc brand "disposable" storage containers--the 20 oz. size--work very well. They're square and stackable, so they're very space-efficient. And they're CHEAP! :-) Although they are labeled as disposable, I've been using the same ones for over five years now.

"In the evening we'd wished there was hot chocolate in the RV."

I used to carry a few packets of cocoa mix for occasions like that.
But unsweetened cocoa is even better, because with it you can not only make hot chocolate, but also the amazing 5-minute chocolate cake in a mug that's described on my website:

http://www.andybaird.com/travels/5-minute-cake.htm>

Your kids will love it! :-)

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Maiden Voyage Experiences / Cake in a Mug
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 97573
Andy Baird responded to Rob and Maria, who said, "In the evening we'd wished there was hot chocolate in the RV."

Andy replied, "I used to carry a few packets of cocoa mix for occasions like that.
But unsweetened cocoa is even better, because with it you can not only make hot chocolate, but also the amazing 5-minute chocolate cake in a mug that's described on my website:

http://www.andybaird.com/travels/5-minute-cake.htm>

Your kids will love it! :-)"
 I have to second Andy's suggestion...I tried the "5-minute chocolate cake in a mug", and give it a thumbs up.  The texture is strange, but it tastes yummy!  It's also fun to watch it grow above the rim of the mug as it bakes.  I'm sure kids would love it, but it also hits the spot for us adults who like an easy-to-make dessert in a hurry.

Sharon N.

Crossville, TN