Final Shake-Down

This weekend we set out on our final test run before the start of the “big trip.”  Our destination was Casper, Wyoming.  This trip would serve several purposes.

Why Casper?  The folks from the RV Water Filter Store, whom I had met at The Rally, were going to be there and had offered to look at the Kat Karrier to see if a water filter system could be installed inside the RV.  We want to be able to drink the water from the tap and would prefer to avoid hooking up an exterior filter to the hose if at all possible.



Watching the World Go By

The second purpose was to see how the cat would do on a four-hour ride.  This was going to be a big test for her.  Kitty did very well. After spending the first hour in the security of my lap, she summoned her courage and moved to the back of the sofa, where she could watch all the cars go by.  After intermittent cries for the next hour or so, she apparently decided that riding in the RV wasn’t so bad after all and settled down for the duration of the trip.

We arrived in Casper just after dark and pulled into the type of campground that we hope to avoid – sites extremely close together and not a tree or even a blade of grass to be found.  The entire site was paved with gravel.  Oh well, the campground was clean and convenient for our appointment the next morning.

We met with Rick from the RV Water Filter Store the next morning and reluctantly came to the conclusion that an exterior filter was the only way to go.  Rick was so knowledgeable and helpful, and I would recommend him highly.

We finished our business before noon and decided to forego our second night at the campground in Casper, even though we had prepaid for two nights.  Our thought was to find a campground with more “natural” amenities a little farther south. 

But before we left Casper, we had to refuel our faces.  Johnny J’s Diner, a 50s throwback, called to us.  Chili, wet fries, egg salad and peach pie.  How deliciously disgusting?  Thank goodness for the fruit we would have for dinner.

We headed south and picked out Glendo State Park as a promising destination.  However, the lack of electrical hookups in 90°+ weather ruled that one out.  Air conditioning was a must, so we ended up at a private campground nearby.  This one was also paved with stones.  Is this the new trend in campgrounds?  This campground, however, featured very wide sites, a pretty view and grass nearby.  Kitty agreed that this would do just fine.



This Isn't So Bad

After it cooled down a bit, Kitty joined us outside and even went for a few walks.  Tim never imagined that he would be walking a cat, but he’s very good at it!

  

I Like Walks

We took the back roads on our way home to Estes Park on Sunday, and declared the shake-down a success.



Rainbow in the Distance