Shakedown Trip

[pabloa3]

So we had our first camping trip in our new teardrop (built by Orama Teardrops) this weekend. I wrote up a full review, with lots of photos, on my blog (http://blog.paulandsteph.com/2013/05/27 ... down-trip/), but I will summarize here. We camped about 90 minutes from home at Verlot campground on the Mountain Loop Highway northeast of Seattle. And like every Memorial Weekend - it rained some. We had a wonderful time driving the highway and checking out the snowfields at what will become the Big 4 Ice Caves.

The teardrop worked great. Setup was easy - I really like being able to push it by hand into a precise position. I took my two sons (5 and 7) and we were quite comfortable and warm at night while it poured rain outside. Take down when we left was easy.

The teardrop is definitely a people magnet. We were at a small campground - only 25 sites and only about 15 in my loop. I showed no fewer than 5 groups of people the inside of the teardrop. Everyone was really amazed that we slept in there and that there was a kitchen out the back.

The biggest take-away - I packed too much stuff...which I knew and expected to downsize for subsequent trips. I tend to do this every year camping - the first trip has too much but I quickly get things sorted out and reduce what we take for later trips. We have a trip in 3 weeks to Silver Springs just outside Mt Rainier.

[Mary C]

Congratulations!!! The first is always the learning trip. You sounded like you had a good time. and yet again one more for the overpacking group, Don't know why that happens on the first camping trip every year for me. will take a look at your thread later. Glad you managed a great trip!!!

Mary C.

[deleted]

Really enjoyed your blog post. I felt as if I was on that hike with you. The avalanche zone must have been neat to see. Something I've never thought about before, what the area looks like when the snow melts. You just always see the snow racing down the mountain. And great timing on the helicopter show. What a great photo op you captured!

[Junkboy999]

Nice. Love the neighbors Fire pit.

[PKCSPT]

Thank you for taking us along,,, great trip

[pabloa3]

Thanks for the nice comments.

My plan is to do a thorough blog post for each trip this summer. We have 5 more scheduled

I've already scaled back what I take eliminating quite a few items. Of course I now need to find a location for these items at home

The fire pit was very cool and innovative.