After a harrowing start to the first trip in our new motor home, we spent the night at Indian Branch RV Park, near Folsom, New
I appreciated the fact the owner provided a "pull through" site rather than one requiring I back into it. I just didn't feel up to the task. It was a rather stressful day, not a day we expected.
As we cuddled up for the first time in our new bed, we reflected and wondered if we would have done anything differently. Yes, absolutely!
For starters, we were too anxious when we received the call telling us our coach was ready. We couldn't wait to take possession, and boy were we wrong. As we relaxed and talked, we considered the day.
Upon reflection, we should never have taken the delivery on a Friday, because service technicians are too eager to start the weekend. Nor should we take delivery on a Monday, because service technicians have the "Oh crap, it's back to work Monday" attitude.
There was also simply too much information being pushed into our heads in one day. We decided two days of midweek orientation would be best.
The first day might include the instruction manuals and a detailed walking tour of the inside of the coach.
Our initial inspection of the vehicle was poor, simply because we didn't know what faults we were searching to find. The staff corrected the obvious ones, but more faults became apparent with more time spent in the coach. Most were poor workmanship and a lack of quality control at the factory. The inspection requires the owners to focus on everything one room at a time.
The second day could be devoted to the outside, the utility cabinet, the engine compartment, operation of jacks, slides and the proper manner to connect a tow vehicle. We wondered why a new owner is not given driving instruction before delivery. A motor home can be an intimidating beast. Why don't states require some initial training and perhaps a rating on the license?
It seems anyone with a vehicular license can get behind the wheel of a 40-foot motor home with a 400 horsepower engine and cruise down the highway at 60 mph without any previous training or experience. It just doesn't make any sense.
With that all behind us, the next morning we woke to a beautiful beginning.
We needed to go to storage and the grocery store. The day was busy — deciding where to stow this and where to stow that. It's no easy task the first time. Diane worked within, while I dealt with the bay areas, our lower basement.
Food, cooking utensils, canned goods, pots and pans, blankets, sheets and clothing — everything you would stow in a house went into our mobile home. The basement included a BBQ grill, fishing equipment, folding chairs, tools and more food.
By early evening, family members had gathered with oooohs and ahhhhs. They were surprised at the room we have — like a small apartment with many modern conveniences. Together with family we opened a bottle of wine and celebrated our new home and the beginning of a new adventure.
With the evening dusk, we were once again alone and the lure of the road began to stir in me.
During the week, we concentrated on learning everything we could about our new motor home. Diane studied the inside and planned accordingly. I went over everything outside and under the hood. We work the system daily and develop a checklist so we wouldn't miss anything.
By week's end, we were set to go on trial runs on local backroads.
