Hey again curt12914,
I've been lurking here awhile (last couple years) & have seen this forum in all it's glory & into it's darkest gloomy corners. I'm pretty handy around a trailer, built things for it, "moded" things out(currently trying to weld a bracket for a hitch receiver mount on the back so I don't have to carry those damn bikes inside anymore). My folks got me into it at an early age, we had a couple old Ideal trailers growing up. Saw some beautiful country back then & always wanted to let my kids see it too. Last year we finally got out of tent camping & into a little 19ft Fleetwood. It's bare bones for our family of 5, but it sleeps us all & the kiddies each have their own beds (but they have to fight over the bunk!) Last summer went to Yellowstone/Grand Teton, Dinosaur, Zion, etc... Had a ball! The trailer opened up so many more opportunities for us. Not having to get a motel anymore just for a shower, staying cooler with the AC (my favorite), being able to just pull over anywhere & use the bathroom (a biggy w/ 3 bladder challenged kids) & just sleeping better knowing we had a real roof over our heads when bad weather rolls in.
Now, with the addition of this little yellow beauty we can go places we never could before in comfort & security. My parents are both 75 & they are still active RVers. Of course, they've got the dream rig (40ft Dutch Star) to cruise around in. That thing has it all. They're gone more than they're home! My dad doesn't think they'll be doing it much longer, but I tell him he's crazy for not. I think that's what keeps them "young"... at heart anyway. We got a 1000 Trails membership through them too which is nice. $30/yr & we can camp anywhere they have the preserves, some are RPI or Naco & they're up & down the west coast where we live. This weekend we're going to Rancho Oso NE of Santa Barbara & it's only an hour & a half away from home.
Yeah, the economy's tanked on us too. New construction has dried up here on the cenral coast. It's not like it used to be when you're so busy you couldn't see straight. Trying to get on w/ Pacific Gas & Electric through the union right now. Never been more unsure about the financial future, but we're doin' the best we can, like everyone else just scraping along.
Anywho, hopefully us guys w/ our noisy Champions can get along with you hot shots w/ your nice quiet Hondas & Yammys (right now I can only dream). Better start loading up early so I can get a decent spot before the onslaught. Thanks for all the stories & insight. It keeps us all honest & humble anyway. Good luck out there.
