First Camping Trip

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After a looong winter of Netflix and researching possible camping locations, Spring finally arrived and we got Peapod roadworthy enough to start camping.
Kim booked us a site this past weekend at Cayuga Lake State Park campground.
 We figured it might be a good idea to stay reasonably close for our first trip and we excitedly began planning. We stocked the galley with matching silverware and enameled mugs as we both donated from our cast iron cookware some a dutch oven and fry pan. I found a nice cast iron grill pan at a flea sale.
 Our 12 days of Christmas seemed to have a camping theme with many items of use added. 
Nick helped me (did it for me) wire up my Jeep trailer wiring and we installed a hitch receiver. Kim purchased a new SUV when her Corolla lease was nearly done, a Kia Seltos and after some mixup about SIRIUS satellite radio, was compensated with a receiver hitch and trailer wiring- So both our vehicles are able to do the deed. 
We loaded up the camper and Jeep and headed out late afternoon on Friday. After a stop to confirm our Pre Registration, we pulled into our site and set up. 
Lots of thought and planning made for quick work setting up although my brain was foggy on the setup for my screen house. Kim got us on track with that and before long we were grilling and enjoying hot dogs three bean salad and beer. Of course we had to try out the cast iron pie maker that Kim received for Christmas and we used blueberry pie filling. Yummy!
We had a nice campfire and settled in for bed late, falling asleep fast. Must be the beer and pie filled bellys. 
About 4 AM we were awakened to a couple rounds of thunder and lightning. Almost instantly it began a monsoon rainfall and water was gushing in the camper through the cabinets. We had left the galley hatch open and despite the EZ up being over the hatch water was just funnelling inside. We scrambled outside and moved the EZ up over the whole camper and closed up the hatch. No more water gushing inside. We were soaked and the center of the mattress and bedding was wet but we were warm and went back to sleep. I got up about 6 to sunshine and headed over to the shower, made fresh ground coffee and oatmeal while Kim slept a little longer. 
Once we were both up and had coffee and breakfast, we pulled the mattress out of the camper and layed it on the picnic table to dry in the sun. We ran back to my apartment to use the dryer on the wet bedding and then returned to enjoy the day Saturday. We walked all the way down to the lake, Kim reminiscing about her days camping there with her family. 
Dinner was Gianelli hot sausage and peppers and onions cooked over the campfire. That was very delicious.
No sooner than we were done eating, the wind picked up and Kim suggested taking down the screen house as it was blowing and moving. We moved the EZ up back over the camper and the sky let loose with another downpour. Retiring to the camper we read for a bit and called it a day. 
Sunday morning was a bit foggy but that lifted and the sun warmed everything up and dried out our wet canopy and chairs. We had breakfast and coffee, took another walk and then started packing up from a great first weekend. 
Thanks to Kim for sticking with this project and being such a great and enthusiastic camper. I'm looking forward to our next trip to Cranberry Lake over the Fourth of July weekend. we'll be joined by Laura and Kerry and Quigley and I think it will be a great time. 

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