We Will Be Hitting the Road...

I always forget August 10th. That's the day I bought my house. It's the only house I have ever bought and that was back in 1983 so we have been hear in one form or another 39 years. I guess we kind of celebrated that by buying a different kind of house, a little teardrop travel trailer on wheels this past weekend on August 13th. Maybe that will help me remember these anniversaries better in the future.   

We had arrived home from Master Cullen and sister Parker's birthday party to a message from our daughter Mary alerting us to a used travel trailer about 45 minutes away from us in Woodville, Tx. We have discussed things like this, how we would use it, what kind where we would go but never arrived at a definitive answer at a price point that a couple of cheapskate hippies could justify. This rig look like it might fit our bill.  

So we headed to Woodville, spent a couple of hours checking it out, the sellers came off the price a bit without undo haggling and thanks to the ease of a Venmo exchange we took it home. Nothing like an impulse buy to make your mind up about all those nagging questions you have been putting off the answer to.  

The brand is Rpod which even though described as an entry level camper it's apparently a lifestyle choice. Looks like owners have a lot of customs like naming your Rpod, making cinnamon rolls on your first trip and there seems to be a huge online social media community that will answer any questions you may have (in minutes) and wants to share vacation info. This one is a gently used 2010 unit and it has all the manuals, maintenance records and other such info that you might need in a handy little folder. 

There are a few issues and parts to replace mostly in the department of making sure it's roadworthy for avoiding any mechanical issues on long trips. In my communications with other owners it's pretty common for people to own these models and have them be 10 or 15 years old. People like these campers because it's a light towing weight and easy set up for old folks. It also encourages a sort of minimalism since it's small and at this point we certainly do not need more stuff. That fits our bill exactly because if anymore pickups are purchased they will be a downsize model and we aint exactly getting any younger.  

It does have a nice little outside cabana that attaches to the trailer to increase sheltered space and we managed to set it up the first time without any cussing.     

Here are a few inside shots. It does have a side out for the kitchen area. It looks a bit tossed as we address projects and it is small but from the looks of things such as no TV it encourages you to be out doing things rather than sitting around in here.  It has a microwave, gas stovetop, a toaster oven and one of those fancy one cup at a time coffee makers. 

There's a small shower (not that hippies take a lot of showers) and a potty. Seems from online information lots of folks just use campground showers which from the most recent state parks I've been in are nice facilities and I feel the same way if they are available. 

The bunk beds, better known as grandkid sleepers. The big ones hop right in that top bunk and the little ones throw a right rusty fit till someone gives them a boost up there also.

There's a shake down cruise in a few weeks with us, Mary and Miguel's VW camper van and my mother in law Geneva who downsized from a fifth wheel to a truck bed camper.  

For now who has a water hose and a big orange extension cord that reaches to their driveway? Asking for a friend.