First trip ever...thanks for all your help

[ksols]

We took our new 2012 Jayco 1207 out for its maiden voyage this weekend. Our first PUP ever, at 53 yrs old we have tent camped forever but decided to get off the ground. What a great experience. The purpose of this post is to say thank you, to all, for the contributions to this forum. They have been a huge help, both in planning and also on the first trip. Things that come to mind
1. What an awesome nights rest, we put a 2" memory foam and then 1 1/2" egg crate foam on top of the 4" stock mattress with king size fitted flannel sheets. The best night outside I have ever spent.
2. Old fashioned percolater for our morning coffee on the outside gas grill.
3. All the hot water heater searches.
4. The thread about draining water is way better than the owners manual. The manual just says "find the low point drains and open" had no idea that to open meant pull up, not twist.
5. Packing tips, how nice to have all the camping stuff in one place and keep it there. We had so much more room in the TV then when tent camping.
6. All the SPUT posts made me really check, than check again before moving on.

I've been on this site for months gleaning info, then was able to check and search on the trip for past posts.

Thanks

[regis101]

PUP's are so cool.

[chiefd]

6. All the SPUT posts made me really check, than check again before moving on.

I've been on this site for months gleaning info, then was able to check and search on the trip for past posts.

Thanks

Oh man SPUTs are part of the fun when you can look back and laugh.  They tend to not be funny when you do them.  Relax I do forsee a SPUT in your future.... 

Glad you had a great time and yes PUPs are the way to go when camping

[Coley]

We've gotten addicted to this type of recreation very quickly. They're fun, aren't they?

[MIpucamper]

Glad to hear that you had a good time on your first trip.  We have a 2010 Jayco 1207 that we bought new last year, and love it.  We tented/backpacked for years, but it is nice to get up off of the ground and stay dry.  You have only just scratched the surface of information available here.  Our pup is coming out of the garage this week and our first trip of the year is planned for early April.  With this non-winter we had this year, we could have been camping now.  Man I have the itch to camp big time.  By the way, where did you go camping? We would love to see some pics of the trip when you get the chance.  Welcome to the group and enjoy your pup.
Fred

[yooperguy]

Very cool the hear.  Glad you could enjoy the lifelong pursuit of camping with a new way to do it.  Popups just appeal to me in so many ways.  Tent camping is still fun and a popup still provides a bit of that... with more comfort.  Have a great camping season!

Those of us in the north are curious about where your maiden voyage was.  It's camping weather here... sunny and 75 deg. in the E.U.P. today!  But campgrounds aren't open for more than a month here.     Two tracks that lead to boondocking are still plugged with snow for now.  That won't last the week with this weather though.   

[TooTents]

Nice to hear that you had a great outing. I love the mention of the perculator coffee. That's one of my favorites while camping because you get so much more of the coffee aroma while its brewing than with the newer style coffee makers.

[iwon2camp]

Glad to hear you had a blast.  We've got our 1st trip in 2 weeks..... I hope this weather holds...78 in the day and 60
at night.  Got my pencil and paper ready for our trip.  What did you find that you needed to have that you didn't bring.

Have fun camping everyone


Jeff

[ksols]

We live in Blue Springs, MO (just outside KC) and we wanted someplace close that had electricity. AllStays Camp and RV App is amazing...so helpful. We chose Weston Bend State Park just North of KC on the river...about 25 miles away and of course open. They had frost free water spigots and a vault toilet open, but shower houses and other water services dont open until April. There were about 3 (out of 36?) spots with campers when we arrived on Thursday. Tried not to judge a book by the cover but my gut said stay far away from one particular group. Glad we did, we heard them off in the distance past 3:00am making too much noise. Perfect weather for a first trip, 80° highs and 60° lows with a nice breeze. When we left Saturday there were 12 campers.

Things we jotted down that we need to bring next time

Prep table by outside grill
Better level
Funnel for adding water
Tube of wet ones. 
When at water pump...put in more than you think you need. 
Better cooler for ice for drinks in camper. 
AA and AAA batteries 
More plates paper
Mat underneath dish drainer
Hot pads / for pot handles
Shower flip flops
Spices in sm containers: garlic salt/powder/Mrs Dash/ multi spice canister
Laundry basket / bag
Carafe or thermos for coffee after perked.
Cup to hold tooth brushes

[regis101]

It's all a work in progress.  Add a camera to your list

[Thrifty_Tiff]

We had our Maiden Voyage this week too and I'd like to echo the OP with thanks for all the resources on this site.  We were lucky enough to be going with a group with a lot of Pup and RV experience, but the knowledge I was able to come to the table with just from reading this site made the learning curve much less steep. 

We are in MO and had torrential rains and hail this weekend but stayed nice and dry! 

Glad others had successful travels too! 


 
2009 Flagstaff HW29c
2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab