Rocky Tales

camper and pickup

Rocky Tales — That’s the working title for this and upcoming posts from my new life … writing on the road in a travel trailer! It’s a 30-foot, 2017 Rockwood. And we knew we would have a rocky start.

camper and pickup
The Rocky and our truck.

The crew: Philip (fearless captain, driver of the towing pickup, Mr. Fixit, a rock-and-roll guitarist, and an excellent cook), me (first mate, navigator, writer, and a so-so cook who managed to set off Rocky’s smoke alarm while making eggs — it needed to be tested!), and Murray (crazy dog, “is it chow time yet?”).

dog on couch
Murray enjoying the best seat in the Rocky.

Journey duration: Unknown!

Destination: Also unknown. That’s the most exciting part.

We don’t yet have an adequate hotspot for Internet on the road. We’ll get one this week. Luckily, I am in a place where I can post some photos from our first adventure. We camped in Western Massachusetts for our test run that lasted a week. We intended to drive three hours and get there in the daylight. The best laid plans of mice and men, as they say. Everything went wrong at about 3 pm on travel day, so we didn’t head out until after 6. We got to where we were going, Granville, in the pitch black and pouring rain around 9 pm.

Philip got the trailer backed into our spot. Eventually. I was “skillfully” directing from the back end with my phone as flashlight. Enough said on all that. Philip and I get on really well, but Rocky is going to test us. Hopefully, every setup and breakdown of camp will become easier with less sturm und drang (translation: shouting and wild gesticulations). Our trailer was nearly level, too.

Philip grilling hot dogs
Philip and the first grilled meal.

Lesson #1: Nearly level makes a big difference with a pocket door that doesn’t stay closed between the bedroom and the bathroom.

The camper was hooked up to electricity and fresh well water. We soon discovered we had a leak under the kitchen sink and a torturous drip-drip-dripping faucet in the bathroom. A large frying pan under the sink and a sock under the faucet at night were our crafty, temporary solutions.

Lesson #2: If you run the AC with your power hookup attached to an adapter attached to an extension cord, you will melt your adapter.

Lesson #3: When camping in the U.S., you will need bear spray. We borrowed some and thankfully didn’t have to use it, but seeing two teenage-size bears (sorry, no photos; they move fast) within three days made “walking the dog” an entirely new thrill. Over the week, we also saw a single deer, lots of wild turkeys, and a bunch of bulky, awkward porcupines. How did I get to my age and not know porkys lived in trees?

bear scat
I knew this wasn’t doggy doo. Clues were the size and the berries.
porcupine
One of many porcupines we saw.

Lesson #4: Water will be a constant issue. Do we have enough? Can we drink it? Is the grey water tank full? Is rainwater coming in anywhere? Is the hot water tank full? Can I get through an entire shower and rinse my hair before it turns cold?

All in all, we loved it.  The bed is comfy. Turkey hot dogs taste better cooked on the grill. Champagne still tastes great in our tea and coffee mugs. And I managed to write nearly 2,000 words each day because I have a looming deadline.

Sydney Jane Baily
Yes, I always get a weird look on my face when someone is taking my photo.

Despite forgetting many things, we made it successfully without any major mishaps. We left our campsite, dumped the tanks, and came home to regroup. We have a long list including repairs, things we need, and things we’ll get rid of. We liked it so much, we are still sleeping in the camper in our own backyard!

30 thoughts on “Rocky Tales”

    1. Thank you! Back at home presently for a little while. Will get going again in August.

      1. This sounds like such a great adventure! I hope the repairs won’t be too difficult to make ! As to the landmark in two countries, my guess is Niagara Falls!

  2. Pingback: My July Newsletter - Sydney Jane Baily

  3. Sounds like fun! Some great camping up in here in NH too! (I’m thinking Niagara Falls next?)

  4. Perhaps you’ll be camping in Niagara Falls? In my childhood, my family would go camping for two weeks in Colorado (family of 6) in a tiny Shasta trailer. The table folded down for the two oldest siblings to sleep, Mom & Dad had a full size bed, and my sister and I slept in slings the unrolled and fit into holders above Mom & Dad! So many great memories! Hope the same for you!

  5. Yep– has to be Niagara Falls! We live in northern PA, so we visit there on a regular basis– at least until COVID. Haven’t been to the Canadian side in what seems like forever– hoping that’s in our near future. Enjoy Rocky and the Falls!

  7. I think you are going to Ni-A-Gara Falls, which is the correct way to pronounce it.

  8. Sounds like you’re having lots of fun and an adventure. Hopefully the next time out will be smoother. I’m thinking you will be headed to Niagara Falls. How fun. Stay safe and enjoy. ( Love your books, by the way). 😊

      1. 🙂 !! Also – these early steps in your travels are exciting. I hope everything smooths out but you’re already having a great time by being able to take these things in stride – and then laugh about them afterwards. Wonderful!

        1. Philip spent many hours in the very hot camper under the kitchen sink figuring out how to adapt our new residential faucet to the plastic RV fittings. He was not laughing!! But he did it.

  11. I love hearing about your adventures! I have never seen a porcupine! Keep the photos coming!

    1. Thank you. I hope they will be as fun living them as hearing about them, but we’ve discovered water and electricity issues are no fun at all. 🙂

  12. So much ‘fun’ and adventure! I’m guessing you’ll do Niagra Falls next.. Maybe you won’t need bear spray there? I’m super jealous! A camper would make it much easier to visit all the national parks like I want to do.

    1. Yes, we intend to do as many as we can. Honestly, you can do it, too. I have been focusing on this dream for five years before we made it happen. Hopefully, Glenda, I’ll see you out on the road.

  13. Enjoy your adventure to Niagara Falls it is always beautiful and surreal there.

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