Spring Break 2023

Camping Time!  After a long season last year with the theater, we decided we would go on a long awaited camping trip.  We had thought about a trip to Texas like in years past, but uncertain futures forced us to stay close to home.  Luckily, we are in the heart of the Ozarks, and we have many options to choose from here in Missouri and Arkansas.  So, we decided to leave on Spring Break and take a few days off!

We waited until Monday to do anything, because we make it a priority to not miss church and only camp during the week.  This seemed like the perfect opportunity to try out the new camp box in the Jeepinator that I built for the rear cargo area.  I've been dreaming, planning, and buying parts for this build for over two years and just this winter got the opportunity to attempt to put it it all together.  Well, not completely, but enough to test out the basic features.  My eventual hope is to have this box integrated into the vehicle with electrical and water features.  Wait that didn't come out right.  I don't mean a water feature as in waterfall.....never mind.  What I really want is that ability to have (running and eventually heated) water, and a self contained electrical system onboard that is independent of the Jeepinator.  I'll keep the dream alive and provide updates on the Camp Box Build page.

The Adventure Machine is having issues with not only back brakes, but also what appears to be a leaky rear main seal..  Again.  Dealt with that back after our October 2021 trip, getting it repaired right before heading to the grandparents house for Thanksgiving (to the tune of $1800).  Ouch.  The Jeepinator just recently got a new radiator, water pump, thermostat ant new lower radiator hose.  Top hose looked to be in good shape when I put it back on.  We've been running it for several days with no issues at all, so looks like it will be the tow pig this trip!  The Jeepinator is also plenty capable of towing the pop-up so we hitched it up and got it ready in the driveway.  

Noticed right away that we had a low tire on the camper, so we hooked up the compressor and got it pumped up.   The tires are getting a little thin from all of our romping around this great ol' U-S of A, but they should hold up until we get back, it's only roughly a 160 mile round trip.  I did swap out the spare with one that although wasn't in the best shape, it would work in a pinch. 

A quick trip to the Grocery store for some staples (Hershey's, graham crackers, oatmeal, bread, hot dogs, lunch meat, and.. oh yeah!  Marshmallows!), and   After we got home, packed it all up and headed out.  Or not.  Noticed that I had to convert the camper lighting connector to 4 pin from 7 pin .  Although I did have a 4 to 7 pin in the house, I didn't want to take the time to install it, so I rigged a 4 pin on the trailer end that would suffice for the trip.  (Note to self:  Put that on the to-do list for the Jeepinator...).  I also need to put that brake controller on the list for both tow vehicles.

 I did decide to stop at Tractor Supply to see if they had a spare (you didn't think I would really chance another flat did you?!?).  Nope.  Nada. non existent.  It seems that these tires are getting more rare (and therefore more expensive), I might have to consider a new axle with 5 lug instead of the 4 lug.  The good part is that these tires fit both the little red trai.......hey wait a minute, I could have just swapped one of the tires on the camper for the new one we just put on lil' Red back last year!.  Oh well.  We headed on down the road towards our destination:  Greer's Ferry Lake!

The Jeepinator did fine on the trip, no issues whatsoever.  I was pretty proud of a 25 year old vehicle pulling our 30 year old camper!

We arrived at the campground but missed our turn, and while trying to find a place to turn around we discovered that the lake is over full.  Enough to completely submerge parking lots, swimming areas, and........ some campsites (not ours). (Edit: The park maintenance guy I talked to later in the week said about 8' above normal).  We found our site and noticed a fellow Jeeper in the site next to us in a '98 Wrangler.  We'll have to talk about our rides later...  :-)

We got set up without issue, and had dinner.  Mountain House meals are incredibly convenient for camping and backpacking.  Simply boil water, add to the freeze dried contents, and a few minutes later you have a very good meal.  I prefer these to other brands, due to the quality and large portion size.  Only thing left to clean up is the spoons!

Puppy!

Not our puppy!  Don't feed it!  It'll stay forever!

Also took her to the vet.....I mean, she's not chipped......and very good with kids....  Several times the kids repeated my statement from earlier in the from what I thought were my silent thoughts:  Dad, what did are you getting yourself into?!  

Well.  I guess we now own a dog. We took it home after clearing it with the vet and park host/ranger station.  They stated that the folks that stayed in site D2 reported seeing a truck drive up, open the door, push her out, and then drive away.  Said that she had been digging in the trash cans looking for food.  Poor thing. 

(Edit: Turns out she is perfectly potty trained!!!  It's been three days and no accidents or issues!!  We couldn't be happier with her!  

We named her "Bella" :-)