First Outing in the 5W

5W is short for 5th wheel which is the terminology for a gooseneck or hookup where part of the weight of the trailer is centered over the rear axle of the truck.  This means the weight hook-up is more centered in the truck and makes for an easier pull for the truck.  As a by-product, it also makes for a way easier hookup.  Walt and I are astonished even though we knew it was easier, it practically hooks itself up.  OK, we have a checklist, but it's so much smaller and so much easier for Walt, which of course I like a lot. 

For me, there is soooooooooo much more storage, and we have 2 slides.  Slides are these parts of the trailer that slide-out giving you oodles more room - one big one in the living/galley area and another in the bedroom, giving us gobs more storage. 

But there's nothing like planning a trip and taking it out on the road.  We decided there was no better place to do social distancing than in the wilderness and visiting one of our state's fabulous state parks.  The lodges, golf courses, visitors' centers, and other gathering places are closed, but the RV parks are open!  So we're at one of those many eastern lakes in our state that are really lovely. 

So here we are - our first road trip in the 5W.  Pretty neat - and yes I finally got a pic of Walt - he was not a happy camper.  

So here we are all set up and it's a very pleasant area, not far from the shore with all the hookups that make life sweet.  

Doesn't she look sweet?  This particular park has concrete pads, with lots of room to park your car and concrete picnic table with a fire ring (for roasting the proverbial marshmallows, telling ghost stories and relaxing on cool nights), and a barbeque grill.  That's a lot for any state park, and it makes this state park a downright luxury resort, especially at the prices (very reasonable) that they charge here. 

We've only had one big mishap, somehow my bike didn't survive the trip from home to the trailer and the chains are all messed up.  A couple of years ago I was out riding around Lake Hefner and granted I'm not a speed demon (think Audrey Hepburn in Rome)

See this isn't a speed demon - it's more about the experience rather than making it a faster trip.  At any rate, some speed demon was coming around a corner too fast, and yep, you guessed it, I was the casualty.  Fortunately, there were 2 walkers who came to my aid, and I was fine, but my bike was not fine, and the gears have been iffy ever since.  You would think that these young speed demons would be thrilled that we older folks are out riding the bike around the lake because that really does reduce their health care costs cause when old folks exercise like this, we usually croak in about 6 weeks.  There are no long extended illnesses, we get sick and croak and that's it.  It's really not a bad way to go - cause we don't have to linger for a long time - which is how I would like to go.  But alas, there are some who don't appreciate this.  

So I digress....but I can't ride the bike, so Walt and I have been walking around and discover that it's that special time of the month (no, I promise I haven't digressed to the menopausal stage - been there done that thankyouverymuch).  It's time for a full moon.  More on that in tomorrow's post.

So we are testing out all the parts of the 5W and relaxing and what could be more fun than painting the 5W.  Sometimes I think my art space is more artistic than my artwork.

Let's just say this RV has very comfy accommodations AND it's easier for a Walt setup, and I can even do it, which there was no way I could have done a hooked up on the other trailer we had.  

So far - lots of fun!!!!