Defining Success

When this long weekend’s weather forecast was sunny and warm, we knew what that meant for us: first camping trip in our trailer!

We worked through the week to get everything prepared. First things first, we had to excavate our towing vehicle. After our last snow, the truck sat next to the curb where the melting snow encased the tires in ice. Just chipping and rocking the truck out of the ice craters took an afternoon. There were also some battery issues, but by Thursday we had gotten it to hold a charge overnight. So we were feeling confident.

Bill and I got the trailer hitched to the truck and successfully out of the driveway. A few laps around the neighborhood, and we were feeling excited!

On Saturday we ferried out our clothes and food and books and pillows, stowed everything in its little cupboards, and we were ready to go!

Oops. The truck battery was dead. So the girls trundled off to neighborhood friends while Bill and I removed the battery, went to the store and bought a new one, installed it, and turned everything on a couple times to be sure. Yes! Let’s do this, take two!

It was my first time towing something for any distance, and besides probably annoying fellow cars with my speed, it was a smooth trip. We arrived in our campground, picked a beautiful spot with no neighbors and a killer view, and parked our little house on the first try.

Everyone was feeling excited about being outside and scampering on the desert sandstone. Through their binoculars, the girls spotted some ruins. So off we went for a lovely sunset hike.

When we got “home” ready to cozy up and eat dinner and snuggle in, we realized the lights weren’t working inside. Good thing we brought a headlamp for bathroom trips and had a few candles stowed! We flipped the heater on and settled down to eat.

Except it never turned on. Because the trailer battery was dead. We never thought to check it, having plugged the trailer in at home and assuming the campground would have an electrical hookup anyway. (It didn’t.)

We thought about it. Looked at our gear. Considered how we wanted this trip to feel. Made evaluations and calculations.

And pulled the plug. A 20 degree night was definitely survivable, but it wasn’t going to be enjoyable.

In 6 minutes, Bill and I had the trailer hitched up again (in the dark sharing one headlight). By 10 PM we were back home, trailer and truck parked in front of our house, all 5 of us warm in bed. The next morning, Bill and I replaced the trailer in the driveway, much to the entertainment of the neighbors, I’m sure. And that was that.

So, was our first time out with the trailer successful? Absolutely! We learned a whole lot, practiced a whole lot, got in a great hike in a spectacular place during a magical sunset, and no one and nothing was damaged. Yes, a success!