Success

Well, the first "real" trip was a success- we all relaxed and enjoyed ourselves immensely. During our "shakedown" overnight trip a gentleman camping across the road from our site had lent us a rubber mallet for getting the pins into the struts which support the foldouts. My sister'd already bought one of her own by this trip. I think it took just about 20 minutes to put the Covered Wagon up once we started but I know in came down and was ready-to-roll in under ten! (Try that with a large tent and three mattresses- ha!)

We'd left some stuff stored in the benches and under the sink from the first trip and put a few more things this time. My sister figures by the end of our next trip in early December (this time to the Atlantic) we'll have it properly organized and outfitted. :)

We did discover it will be possible to take all we need in the bed of my truck! Great thing for the times my sister can brave an itty, bitty back seat with a "lick monster" terrier. I'm getting a tow hitch put on my truck so we'll be able to use either vehicle. That'll make things easier for my sister since now she has to bear the brunt of the pressure of towing. Sometimes one just doesn't feel like slaying dragons or fighting major interstate traffic pulling a big wind-buffetted C.W. behind you...Options are always good. We're new to towing things (Mama's done it before and simply declines to discuss the subject) so it's a lot of focus and energy.

It was plenty warm inside without breaking out the space heater and that canvas top really keeps the wind out. We all slept snugly (Tug in his crate this trip- we brought a different one from last time and it fit the space better). I think we'll be okay even in winter time (which, in FL, is a few weeks in Jan, Feb & March- not necessarily consecutive weeks, either). I'm more committed than ever to never go in spring, summer or early fall. My bug bites may heal in time for Thanksgiving, if I'm lucky. Something about my body chemistry makes me irresitible to insects who bite. My cup runneth over...

We ate well, of course, and used up most of the perishables we brought. Lots of snack food made it back home which is surprising but we were stuffed from real food which is great. I never even broke into my stash of Cheerios (a popcorn or potato chip replacement when I'm trying to behave). The first night was sandwiches (pb&j, pimento cheese and blt) and iced tea. We like to have dinner ready when we arrive as it's less stress. Breakfast the next morning was an appetizer course of muffins I'd baked the night before we left. Then we had brunch of scrambled eggs, bacon for Mama & me, and some more muffins.
Dinner was turkey burgers for Mama & me while my sister grilled her soy sausages. We had fresh roasted corn on the cob (it's incredibly good that way- even the slightly burned parts taste great) and roasted onions & green peppers for the burgers/sausages. While we ate dinner we cooked some extra onions/peppers and baked potatoes in the dying coals for the next morning's breakfast of scrambled eggs and potatoes O'Brien. Totally killer! We eat twice a day when camping because we do cook real food. It takes some extra time but tastes better and so we cut out one meal. We take good snacks with us for the munchies (dried fruit, mixed nuts and yogurt). Yeah, I'm all about the food!