(Almost) solo overnighter

[grrlscout]

Hey all!

I know I've been away quite a lot. There is a LOT of change going on with my life right now - some good, some bad, some neither. Just a lot of it.

Anyway, I had a lot of anxiety and confusion going on, and needed to get out of town. Plus I had a holiday on Monday, and no plans. Funds are slim, so I went with a simple overnight trip to a campground / hot spring I've alway wanted to check out.

Sunday afternoon, I loaded up the Cruiser and Jerry, and headed down the highway about an hour, to take the waters, as they used to say.

Unfortunately, my phone had some problems at one point, so I got no shots of the soaking tubs.

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Happy hour!

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Heading home. Jerry was glad I was too lazy to roll up the bed.

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I brought the mess kit I got at the jamboree, plus a magnesium fire starter, since I have never tried out either.

After a while, I gave up on the magnesium, and went with a lighter. I ended up using the pot part of the mess kit, but not as intended. I put water and tea bags in it, and set it next to the campfire.

Worked a charm, except, not thinking, I grabbed water I treated for storage to take with me. So my tea was a little bleachy

[sjj]

Thanks for posting.

[grrlscout]

Why do I get hungry every time I read one of your posts Thanks for posting.

A few questions please to complete my image. Is the single ramp to help Jerry's short legs get up/down the tailgate? What is in the clear bag that looks like bread crust? Is the cheddar cheese sharp or mild? Are the pickles sweet or tart?

YW! Um...

- Yep! Though, since it was used (with a mate) to load things onto my tiny trailer, it is quite steep. He needs a good amount of encouragement to use it. The step stool is to help my short legs get up on the tailgate.
- Triscuits.
- Sharp.
- Dills. There are kalamata olives in there too.

[1stimestar]

Looks like a nice relaxing get a way.

[hunter63]

As the food discussed seems to be more important than all sorts of fancy gear...LOL....This tell me you are doing it right

Nice looking basic camp..... just grab your stuff, and go for it.

Congrats.

[grrlscout]

Thanks y'all! Simple, easy, cheap, and relaxing were the guiding principles this trip.

So that meant no cooking! No cooking means very little gear, and no dishes.

I had my happy hour snacks for dinner, and some homemade granola with milk for breakfast -- which was just fine for an overnight trip. Much longer than that, and I'd definitely have to cook. If anything, to warm up my belly.

[natertot]

Looks like a good time! I hope the changes work themselves out for you.

[Rick]

That's great. It recharges the soul doesn't it? I'm surprised "Killer" didn't run off with those long legs of his. That last shot looks like you wore him out. Great pics. Thanks for sharing.

[grrlscout]

Looks like a good time! I hope the changes work themselves out for you.

Much thanks! My future is starting to look a lot clearer, and I think it will all turn out for the best.

[grrlscout]

That's great. It recharges the soul doesn't it? I'm surprised "Killer" didn't run off with those long legs of his. That last shot looks like you wore him out. Great pics. Thanks for sharing.

Jerry is 13 and almost entirely deaf, so he's pretty mellow.

In fact, shortly before we left, we were in the cargo area, just chillin', when I see this pack of stray dogs wander into our site from the horse pasture next door. Some of them were pretty big too.

They didn't see us until I hollered at them to GIT! They ran off whence they came.

Jerry was completely oblivious to the whole incident, sound asleep at the foot of the sleeping bag

It actually makes it easier to take him places now, and I try to do so more often. In his younger days, he was a handful -- always wandering off, and barking at everything.

[grrlscout]

Actually, it occurs to me that he just turned 14, a couple weeks ago

[Grizz123]

I cant get away as much as I would like and I have really hard time finding a place away from people. My stress level dropped when I read your post, thanks...

[BENESSE]

Boy, everyone needs to reboot like that, I know I do. Simple life, fresh air, no distractions, kinda puts things in perspective.
Glad you posted, glad to see you back. Hope it all sorts itself out and turns out even better than before.
Love that Jerry!

[Rick]

We have Gotham Cat and Survival Kitty so it just seems natural we need Wilderness Dog. Which prompts the age old questions does a dog **** in the woods? If a dog barks in the woods and there's no cats to hear it does it make any sound? Since a dog has four paws can it make fire twice as fast as a person?

[Winnie]

There's nothing like getting away from real life for a while to put things into perspective. Hope your challenges are overcome.

[rebel]

Tried to send Jerry some rep. Says - I have to pass it around first.

[Solar Geek]

Loved your pics and camp. We have never slept in our SUV but what a great way to avoid any hassle and setup in the dark.

Did you attach permanently the hooks holding the curtains up? How did you do so without damaging the interior?
And are the curtains just dish towels you hemmed?

Looking at your pics gave me a mental break from the -25F chill and 0F high temps today. Thanks!

[grrlscout]

Did you attach permanently the hooks holding the curtains up? How did you do so without damaging the interior?
And are the curtains just dish towels you hemmed?

Let me see if I can describe what I did with the curtains. If it's not clear, I'll try and get some pics.

At the top of most rear post, by the hatch, there are decorative plastic vents on either side, that hold the trim together.

Each one has two screws. I backed them out, looped one end of a double looped brass swivel around the screw, and screwed it back in.

So on both sides of the hatch, there are two swiveling brass loops.

For the side curtains, I knotted one end of a nylon strap through a loop, and ran it the length of the body. I buckled it to a carabiner attached to the grab handles over the driver and passenger seats.

When I'm not using the curtains I just undo the buckles, wind up the strap around the curtains, and let them hang, back by the hatch, and leave the carabiners. I can easily undo the whole deal, and have the interior back to normal.

For the rear curtain, I tied a piece of clothesline between the two remaining loops, and I just draped a table cloth over it.

It took about an hour to set the whole deal up.

When we got the toy hauler, those curtains were in it. I thought they were hideous, but I kept them, and have been using them to cover the plants when a frost comes.

But, for the sake of money, I thought they did just fine in this application.

[Solar Geek]

Thanks and no pics needed. Excellent set up. We have an old Explorer and I would love to rig it like that.

[Rick]

I think more camouflage is needed for the curtains. I suggest....

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After all, Jerry the Wilderness Dog is nothing if not stealthy.