Sometimes, the light bulb that illuminates over your head when you realize something is so bright it’s blinding.  This trip to Ouray was one of those times, for me.  The campground was awesome, and I had a nice spot at the end of a row with open woods nearby.  That was on a Thursday.

On Friday, the rest of the campground filled up.  That’s when I realized how close the other sites were — especially my neighbor’s fire ring.  They had a bonfire going that was very close to my popup, and they had a whole tribe of people with them.  It was a party.  We hung out at a friend’s site that was a bit farther away.

I started talking with some people in a big motor home, and they told me about how they started out tent camping, then moved to a truck camper, and then happily settled on their motor home.  They seemed happy, and I started thinking again about how camping in a popup isn’t always great.  There were bears in the area, and I couldn’t keep anything in my trailer.  A hard-sided coach wouldn’t have an issue.

I made it out alive, and woke up the last morning after my other camping friend had already left (Niko was in a tent and he had an early appointment).  The propane heater had been on all night, and there was condensation all over the inside of the canvas popup.  I hadn’t left enough of the window unzipped.  It was sunny, though, so I didn’t think it would take long to dry it out.  I wiped it out with a towel as much as I could, and then turned fans on and unzipped windows.  

I packed, and I was ready to go when it was still a little damp.  So I waited it out.  Finally, it was okay to pack it up and I folded it all together and went over to start the Jeep.  It wouldn’t start.  I had lights, but it wouldn’t turn over.  My little jump starter wouldn’t start it, either. 

The friendly people in the campground came out of the woodwork to help me.  While they poked at the engine, I called State Farm to make a plan.  My tow vehicle was dead, and I was in a campground past check-out time.  Then, one of the men figured out that the battery disconnect wasn’t letting enough charge through to start the Jeep.  He removed it, and the Jeep started right up.  The very thing I put in the Jeep to save the battery was its demise.

I thanked everyone, and they were all so nice.  But I had to be on my way.  I was jealous of my neighbors in motor homes.

On I-70 on the trip back to Denver, a big truck was on its side and blocking all traffic coming the other way for many, many miles.  People were hanging out all over, sitting on the medians.  Then I noticed the motor homes, parked.  People inside were probably watching TV, using their own bathrooms, and getting cold drinks out of refrigerators.  I was jealous.

Then it started raining, and the Jeep hydroplaned for just a second or two coming down from Eisenhower Tunnel.  It has always been a bit of a challenge to keep on the road, especially going downhill, and towing the trailer didn’t help.  I needed to make a change.

I started shopping for a new motor home as soon as I was back and in one piece.  I found one in Dallas and had it home by the end of the month.  Jealousy, be gone!  My life just changed for the better, and it’s going to be a fun ride.