Going to Ride camp in style!
| May 26, 2016 | Posted by Melinda under Uncategorized |
The lessons of Cache Creek could be summarized in the following way:
- Rain or shine, a hat SHOULD BE ON MY HEAD
- I need a motorhome
Which is why, after a year of debating the merits of buying a motorhome….or not, I came home and gave my long-suffering husband permission to find and buy one.
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Fact: ride camp has to be comfortable for him if he’s going to join me on ride camp adventures whether I’m vetting or riding.
Fact: that means no tents, no sleeping in the back of vehicles, and especially no sleeping in the back of horse trailers.
Fact: If he and Fig can’t come with me to ridecamp, I can’t go to ride camp as many times during the year, which is very very sad.
Fact: Sometimes I ride and sometimes I vet, which means the horses have to be able to come along too.
Fact: I’d rather have fun and be broke, than drive new vehicles and be rich.
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In characteristic Matt fashion, he found something almost *immediately and we are now the proud owners of a motorhome!
*I never ever ever tell him to buy something until we are ready because in 24-48 hours WE HAVE IT.
It’s a couple of feet longer than we wanted, but the floor plan is great, the engine the right size, the brand one that I trust, and the features (like a domed roof) that were “must haves”. And most importantly it was used at the right price, and not so pristine and nice that it can’t be driven down a dirt road into ride camp with the three dogs bouncing around inside!
Seriously, how awesome is THIS???????????
It should handle my horse trailer just fine and Matt and Fig will be relaxing in style while I’m braving the elements at the vet line (hopefully having learned my lesson and wearing a hat).
The first ride camp it will be at is NASTR (mid June) where I’ll be vetting on Saturday.
WOOT!!!
I’ll keep you guys updated of what I think about doing endurance in a motorhome+trailer combination!
Wahoo! I’m not a fan of huge vehicles in general, but that’s a very convincing set of pros!
It’s a little bit of an identity shift for me so we will see how it works out. I tend to be the keep it simple type of person who would rather rough it in the back of a truck than even set up a tent. But I have to admit that I’m thinking about all sorts of non-ride camp situations where having a motorhome will be really nice, such as when backpacking and using as a base camp.
Perfect for what you need! How fun, everyone will be so comfortable! (And I laugh and can understand the whole “don’t mention it to Matt or it will get bought.” My SO does the same thing. I once mentioned I was thinking of finding a used treadmill. I came home the next day to find it set up in my living room!)
It’s beautiful!
Let me insert one note of caution and ask you to please upgrade the brakes and check them frequently. I have a story behind this request that I will share in person some day.
Upgrade the brakes to what specifically? Do you have a recommendation? Probably won’t pull a trailer for a couple of months so I could do it before then. Email if you would rather :).
This is freaking incredible. So excited for yall!
That’s huge! You’re going to tow a horse trailer with that? I hate towing even with my truck, I’d be terrified to do with that. I’m totally jealous of the huge space and the bathroom. Oh man, the bathroom. I really want one.
I’m very comfortable driving big vehicles and I’m very comfortable towing so I should be OK. I was surprised how easily the motorhome drove when I drove it home, it actually drives less “big feeling” then either of the last two trucks I’ve owned. That said they’ll be a couple of months of taking small trips with it without the horse trailer before I’m going to hook a horse trailer up To it. Knowing your rig as well as possible really helps 🙂 I’ll also be choosy about where I go with this thing with a trailer behind it.
It looks like you could just set the cruse control and step back and make a cup of coffee! Uh, but don’t….
Bill
I have heard that it’s perfect legal for passengers into the home portion to have a glass of wine while the coach is being driven down the road. ;). Gone are the days where both me and my husband want to drive!
It’s beautiful! I’m sure my sleeping bag will juuuust fit on the little couch, Or in the dinette.
Generator?Is that a microwave up there above the stove? Actual HOT coffee in the AM??
Yes!!!
Yes to everything above Nikki!!! :). Maybe even a shower ;). Maybe we should just nickname it the party bus!