Tuesday April 15 to Thursday April 17, 2025 Travel Days 4-6
We finally have our new trailer!
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
After a quick stop to photograph the Stanley Hotel, filming location for part of “The Shining,” we met our “RV Mom and Dad”, Amanda and Rich Luchsinger. They are just as wonderful in person as they have been throughout the RV purchase process. Amanda has been incredibly helpful and generous with her time, insights, lessons, and RV equipment and furnishings. Amanda served a gourmet breakfast including quiche, scones, muffins, and fruit salad. Then, it was off to pick up the trailer! Amanda gave Susan detailed instructions for operating the indoor creature comforts of the RV and preparing for travel. Rich and Andy made adjustments to prepare the RAM and trailer to properly hitch. While I was unaware that hitch receptacles were not a standard size, NAPA fulfilled the missing adaptor. We successfully hitched the two together, made all pre-travel checks, and headed down the mountain. Given that I had zero towing experience, Rich negotiated the twisty descending mountain roads like a pro. I have a lot to learn!
We arrived at St. Vrain State Park near Longmont in order to review the unhitching and camp set-up procedures. After lunch at the RV dinette, accompanied by final instructions, the Luchsinger’s were on their way home and we were set for our first night in the RV!
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Following a quadruple check of all hitching and indoor trip preparations, we were set for our maiden voyage! I successfully drove 58 miles to the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds outside Aurora, CO to meet Gary, our driving instructor. We spend the first hour reviewing components of the RV particularly those associated with towing – checking the hitch setup, tire pressure, lug nuts, leveling, mirror usage, etc, Then it was time to drive! Backing lessons were first – first straight, then maneuvering into both 90 degree and angled campsites. Susan and I both had the opportunities to drive and to play ”spotter.” Frankly, I think spotter is more difficult and I’m happy Susan assumed primary spotter responsibilities! After negotiating turns in a large vacant parking lot, it was time to join other traffic on the roadways! We both passed day one with flying colors. I braved highway traffic and towed the trailer to Chatfield State Park near Littleton.
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Gary met us at our campsite for driver’s education day 2. What better way to learn to drive than by ascending 2-lane mountain roads with 15 mph curves? Susan and I took turns driving while the other prayed the rosary in the back seat. Other than the 15 drivers queued behind us, likely cursing us for going 15mph, the ascent was successful. (We didn’t scrape any overhanging rocks on the passenger side and we didn’t force any oncoming traffic off the edge of the cliff.) We then learned truck and trailer exhaust braking systems as we descended the mountain on the freeway signed, “Steep 7% Grade Next 7 miles.” Upon our safe return to the state park we practiced additional maneuvering around in another large vacant parking lot. Gary presented us with our diplomas and turned us loose confident we were not a hazard on the highway.
We made the 100-mile drive to Pueblo, Colorado where we stayed at our first KOA. They had a cable TV connection so we were able to watch the weather forecast predicting 5-10 inches of snow in the locales we had just departed! God is watching over us!
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