First weekend

Ahh, it is so nice to be in our new home. We are staying in a small park by the Sacramento River, not very fancy, but it has full hook ups and a nice view. We spent our first weekend trying to make some semblance of order out of the space inside. Quick packing and throwing things in at the last minute do not make for comfy livable space when you have a 30ft long home. I finally unearthed the kitchen enough to allow us to make our coffee in the morning--a must for me--and cook some meals.

I don't think I truly comprehended how small that little oven is--even my cookie sheet will not fit in the oven! Off to storage with you cookie sheet! I spent hours decided what cooking gear should be readily accessible (cast iron skillet, 9x9 stoneware casserole dish, small casserole dish, various water boiling/ soup pots, teapot and percolator) and what should be stowed under the kitchen bench (blender, griddle, crock-pot). I found the limited space for dry goods makes it necessary to both reduce the amount of excess stuff stored and have a small storage area for extra stuff under the kitchen bench.

Canned goods--A couple months ago I pulled out every canned item we had in our pantry and set it on the counter. Do you realize how much crap that will never be used ends up stored in your pantry?? I separated into immediate donation and "to-be-used-within-the-month". We were very inventive with our cuisine for awhile as we used things up. I ended up with one small drawer full of cans for the RV and most were bought within a week of leaving, not leftovers. I didn't grow up in the depression, so why do I store food away like I'm awaiting a natural disaster? Part of it I attribute to pure laziness in not cleaning out my cupboards and just re-buying things I didn't realize I already have. I think I must have picked up some of my mother's need to have lots of food squirreled away for lean times though.

We tried taking showers in the RV parking lot and, though it was nice to have hot, long showers, the water smells. Gotta love adventure to live this live-style. I must admit to some thrill of satisfaction as I crossed back over to the RV from the shower house, tucked up in my thick, warm robe. Walking back felt so fun--like a reminder of old camping trips and vacations. I like the thought that the next year to two years will be full of constant change, new-ness and trying out new facilities--or taking cold showers outside, or basking in hot springs.

Oh--remember to take along "shower shoes" (flip-flops)--you don't need exposure to foot fungus from strange showers ;)