This weekend Ryan and I executed a successful dry run camping outing. We met our good friends the Metsala’s at our favorite campground, Indian Boundary in the Cherokee National Forest along the Cherohala Skyway. Normally we would’ve already been out camping by this point of the season but our spring’s been very busy with other activities. This weekend was our perfect, and our only, opportunity to get the RV out this season prior to our big trip.

The mission for Ryan and I was twofold. First, we planned to have some fun with friends and enjoy this spectacular recreation area. Second, we were tasked with giving the RV, the truck, and all associated plans and equipment a good test run, and there was lots to double-check.

As for the fun part, that was easy. We spent an evening around a campfire with friends, made s’mores, took a hike around the lake, played a few hands of Uno, destroyed grandma (who visited for the afternoon) in a few rounds of corn hole and tossed an illuminated frisbee in the darkness. Not to mention a visit to the camp store. No camping outing is complete without a visit to the campground store!

As for our second task of giving everything a thorough check, we did ok on that front as well. Between the two of us, we put together a list of the things we needed or had forgotten. Nothing too worrisome. Things like hand soap, spare sheets, some different food choices, and an iPad charger. Someone thought that last one was worrisome.

So, we came home with a checklist of items to take care of before the end of the week. Wow, this trip’s almost upon us! It’s going to be a really busy week pulling the last details together.

To add to the sense of a ticking clock, Dawnie’s leaving town this week. She heads to Iowa Tuesday morning and doesn’t come back! The first stop in our trip is Indianapolis on Friday. She’ll fly directly from Iowa to Indianapolis and meet us there. So in a sense, her big trip begins Tuesday morning on an airplane.