Season 1; Episode 1

On Saturday, March 19, 2016, we pulled the trigger on an oft-discussed dream. How could we spend more time outdoors without the physical struggle of tent camping? Leah didn’t want a living room on wheels. Ten minutes at REI, trialing backpacks told us overnight trail hiking was unlikely. Even with the best pack and the best fit, we both walked around the store with blazing back aches. Additionally, Paul had proclaimed after a recent tent camping adventure that he was never sleeping on the ground again. Leah proclaimed she wasn’t finished camping. Thus we needed a camper that would offer shelter and a few amenities without requiring a new truck to pull it or a second mortgage to pay for it. Enter Lil Red. A 17 foot travel camper by Riverside Retro RV. I first laid eyes on her at the St. Louis RV show in January. In February, I took Leah to see her on the lot at Bourbon RV in Bourbon, Missouri. Now it’s March and we are proud to adopt Lil Red into our family.

Due to our total lack of experience with towing and setting up a camper, we bargained for a package deal from Bourbon RV Salesman Steve: Payment and procurement day would be followed up with two nights of camping nearby and a full demo of set up and tear down. It was risky to try this in March. Blue Springs Ranch, the private campground located less than 5 miles from the camper dealership, doesn’t even open the bath house, camp store and such until mid April. Still, this was our best available weekend to purchase the camper and learn to set up. Here’s where the (the first misadventure?) mild circus began.

We arrived at Bourbon RV in windy 40 degree weather. We signed paperwork and were all set to hitch up and take our trial run at the nearby campground when we discovered the dealership had prepped the wrong camper. We had unknowingly signed papers and secured a title for a blue camper. But we had to have the red and silver one. White and blue would not do. This led to a domino of re-do’s. We re-signed paperwork with Charlie, the dealership owner, while Super Steve and Sales Steve worked to outfit our hitch, battery, propane, etc for the RED one. Undaunted, we bid our time buying luxuries from the dealership like a sewer hose and a plate rack. 

Super Steve earned his name (and my answered prayer) from his kind, smart and instructive manner. He had a twinkle in his eyes as he patiently answered all of Miss Leah’s concerns and questions: What’s a fill tank? Where is the grey tank? What is a dump station? How do we rinse the tanks? Which antiseptic? How does the awning work? How do you level the camper on uneven ground? What’s the order of hitch, chain, plug in? So many new terms and functions to learn and protect.

Super Steve led us over to Blue Springs Ranch while I drove the camper, hitched to the Jeep Cherokee, for the first time. It felt wicked cold as we set it all up but once we stepped inside our warm Lil Red, we were grinning from ear to ear. We exuberantly made the bed, put away dishes, groceries, organized the mini refrigerator and began measuring for rugs, reading the camper instruction manual and making lists of needed equipment. That lasted two hours, tops. Then, the tiny camper had the makings of a cage fight. We bumped into each other. We marveled how much smaller it now felt. Due to the chilly temperatures, we dared not step outside to cook. Thankfully, Charlie, the owner of Bourbon RV, had told us about nearby Belmont Winery. We jumped into the Jeep and drove to a nice dinner at the Winery where we were able to give thanks and regroup. 

The first night of our maiden voyage was a battle of noise for Leah as the heater motor clamored and clanked through it’s cycles and a battle of temperature control for Paul (Boling hot to freezing cold). Still, we weren’t on the ground in a tent and the queen bed was pleasantly comfortable and large. Plus, we had the luxury of not having to leave the camper to pee. You just step into the shower and do your thing.

It was cool to awake to lightly falling snow. All was still and beautiful (easy when you are the only people in a massive campground). We made our first meal of bacon and eggs and happily ate it at “Table 3” in “Lil Red Cafe” next to the picture window. It was sweet and blissful. 

Then the inevitable happened. Pop Pop’s bowels kicked in. We made a mad dash to the Mobil on the Run and arrived just in time. That dash saved us from taking a $17K poop in a camper that would be scarred for life. 

The cold and containment led us to take a trip to the Sullivan, MO Walmart for more essential supplies. After lunch at Lil Red Cafe, it had warmed enough for a long arduous 2 hour hike up and back to the Rock Cabin with it’s elevated view of the serene Meramec River. The exercise was needed. Upon return, our crock pot soup was ready and then the wind died down just enough to make a fire possible. That was the sweet snapshot moment we envisioned possible with the purchase of Lil Red. We listened to music, sipped our beverages, stared at the coals and talked on occasion. We both agreed it could only get better from here. 

We decided to sleep “cold” and that provided a better night’s rest. We did not turn on the noisy camper heater, but instead, slept under a mountain of blankets with the warmth of each other. The coffee and breakfast routine was easier on second pass and the sun was shining on day 2. Next, we focused on Steve’s training for departure: Dumping, loading and towing back home. 

Our trip home was uneventful except for slowing traffic on Hwy 63. We got at least one single digit wave from a passerby. Welcome to our new travel status. At home, we were too worn out to attempt parking behind the house, so we made do in our neighbor’s field. We cleaned Lil Red up good and shut her down until the next trip. Later that week, Paul took care of insurance, tag and title. Plus, he grew a pair and found a way to drive around the house to park Lil Red on the paved slab behind our house. She’s safely home with us and awaiting the next adventure.