2013 - Trip 1 - Colonial Woods Campground

It's FRIDAY, we are OUTTA HERE!  (our house is the one with the American Flag)

COLONIAL WOODS CAMPGROUND

Friday:
Work week behind me, I was anxious to get the van loaded and get to the campground.  Weather was looking perfect for the entire weekend with High temps projected between 65* and 69* and sunny, and cool clear nights with temps in the low 30's.  Becky, Madie, and I dropped off the older girls at school and then we enjoyed a nice breakfast together at the West Main Diner in Lansdale.  Following breakfast, a last run to Walmart to purchase the camping groceries and a few fishing worms and we were home.  Packing begins my moving everything outside to the patio and then playing Tetris as I load the car with odd shapes and more and more stuff.  Oh,,... don't forget to pump up the air bags in the rear to 26 psi too.  Finally all loaded, I unplugged the camper from the house (I was chilling the fridge), and hitched the camper back to the van and it was time to pick the girls up from school.  At 26 psi, fully loaded and 3/4 tank of gas,... the camper sat level and we didn't have much sag in the van (See photo above).  

A short ride later, we arrived at Colonial Woods Campground for our restful weekend adventure.  Our campsite was huge this time and adjacent to a creek that the kids very quickly went to play in.  As always, Becky and I work together to get the camper opened up and the van partially unloaded, and then she works on the inside while I work on the outside getting things prepared and hooked up.  One of the first things that I do is check the shore power for voltage and proper polarity.  This is typically done by using my multimeter and sticking the probes in each of the three ports on the 30 Amp plug while trying to hold open the weather lid.  This year, simply plug in the meter on a pigtail and read the polarity and voltage.  Everything checked out well, and I was ready to hook the main line up from the camper.

Polarity Correct, Voltage 117, simple and easy to check now.
(LED did light for the polarity, camera didn't pick it up well, like the first 1 in 117.... )

I managed to retain Ally while the other girls went to the rest room.  So, here you go, crank down the stabilizer jacks while I get the roof unlatched.

Ally cranking down the stabilizers

A little "Home" decor

Finally all setup, with plenty of evening sunlight to spare, we took a moment to look at our campsite and our setup, the first of many in 2013!

All set up, and getting ready for dinner

Friday Night Smores at the camp fire

Evening came upon us, and the smores were being eaten by the fire.  Everyone was having a good time and the campground was full of great sounds..... "Little more,... to the right,... ok,.. You're Good,... STOP".... ok,... if you are not an avid camper, you don't realize how hearing others backing in throughout the evening is actually a little relaxing,...  knowing that you haven't camped since November of last year and the season is finally here again.  Knowing that you've worked all week, and now here and setup, it is time to forget the stress and worry and just relax with the kids and wife.

After a bit, we let the fire die down and headed inside.  The new setup for the kids sleeping was looking good and Madie liked her new bed arrangement.  Soon enough, they were asleep and the evening chill was setting in.  I went to turn on the furnace and the blower kicked on for about 10 seconds,.. then shut off.  Tried again,... same thing.  Uh O.... wonder what's the matter now.  Got the manual, repurged the lines of any air just in case, and tried again.  Blower comes on, no ignition on the LP, shuts down.  I logged onto the Popup Portal and did some searches for our furnace and came up with a few good hits.  After about 30 minutes of trouble shooting, I found a possible loose wire on the sail switch.  Crimped tighter and slid back on the blade connector, I tried yet again.  This time, the blower came on, the gas valve opened, and the ignition lit!  Back in business! We have heat!  Thanks Popup Portal!  Glad I had my meter and tools with me too.  11:15pm,.. time to turn in.


Saturday:
Fishing day!  Well, after some coffee for Becky, and Eggs & Pancakes for everyone!  Weather was looking even better today and we are off to a good start.

Becky's Camping Mornings start with COFFEE

Madie's First of the day

One for Ally

Becky's 12" Bass, caught on Bella's Rod, so Bella wants credit

Relaxing in the Hammock on a perfect Saturday afternoon

Nothing can beat a cool morning fishing with the kids and coming back to camp and relaxing.  No place to go, no phone to answer, just relax.  We ate some lunch and then headed over to Ringing Rocks Campground to see their sites and check out their facilities.  My brother Ryan stopped in to see us and take a break from the hustle and bustle of his weekend plans.  After the nickle tour of the camper, we relaxed a little and discussed his upcoming October wedding.  Soon he left, I dumped the gray water tank, and then I spent some time in the hammock swinging gently in the trees while Ally and Madie were playing in the stream and throwing rocks.  Becky and Bella decided to duke it out over a few matches of checkers.

Checkers 101

Three little monkeys on a Log

Sometimes, you get a surprise though.  While nearly falling asleep in the hammock, a few minutes later I hear Becky in the creek with her boots on trying to help the kids find crayfish.  Whoa!,... Becky trying to catch crayfish!  Yes,... I have photo and video to prove it too!

Hunting for Crayfish in the stream

Bella, Madie, Cousin Dante, and Ally, Ready to go fishing

Later in the afternoon Becky's brother Mark, wife Kamisha, and son, Dante stopped in for a visit and the rest of the evening.  Soon we were off to the pond again to try our luck at catching some trout or anything that would bite..... well, kids lost interest quickly this time and since nothing was biting we soon packed up and walked back to camp.  Along the way, motorcycle friends George, Lisa, Rich, and Tiffany also stopped in for a visit to see the camper all setup.


Another great fire with the kids and family, all roasting marshmallows and having smores, and soon the kids were falling asleep in their chairs.  Saturday night, the furnace started and worked without any troubles and everyone slept quite well after being active all day.

Sunday:
Another gorgeous morning,.... but today was different.  All around us people were beginning to slowly pack up there belongings and prepare for the trip back home.  We took our time and had breakfast, letting the kids then play in the creek with the old clothes while we slowly packed things up and organized the storage areas for our next trip.  It was about 11am or so when we finally closed up the camper and prepared to pull out.  Our next trip will be the busy Memorial Holiday weekend, when the campground is sold out and I'm sure it will be full of activity.  Our site then is on a crossing slope, which isn't fun for setting up and leveling, so I have to prepare some additional leveling blocks for the wheels and tongue jack. 

Full 1 1/4" drain system to 11 gallon Gray Water Tank, Works 200% Better!

Quick synopsis on our modifications.

1. The gray water tank and drain works so much better, we don't hold back as much on the water usage.  The 11 gallon tank was nearly filled Saturday evening and needed to be trekked to the dump station.  The sink flows as well as at home with no delay now.
2. LED lights inside are FANTASTIC.  Great light and very cool.  We could leave the light on for a while and I don't have any concern for the heat anymore.