First RV Trip to Big Meadows: Weeble One Liftoff

10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3… main engine start… 2…1… We have liftoff of Weeble One.

As I write this, we’re sitting in Big Meadows Campground, and I’m the only one awake. The dogs are settled in and sleeping, and Mrs. Weeble is back in the bunk, out cold.

Peaceful… for now.

The day started like any typical Thursday in the Weeble household. We had the RV mostly packed Wednesday night, with just a few loose ends left to tie up. The plan was to leave sometime between 1:00 and 1:30 PM.

Now I know what you’re thinking—if everything was packed, why wait until the afternoon?

Simple. Thursday morning bowling league.

We bowl at 10:00 AM, and it’s a doubles league—just two people per team. Normally we wrap up around noon. Of course, the more strikes you throw, the faster you’re done… and let’s just say I don’t usually help speed things along.

But today? Today was different.

I opened with a 233—well over my average. The next two games brought me back down to earth, but my partner stepped up and threw two 180+ games. We were done early, and I was pulling out of the parking lot by 11:15.

A quick stop at the store for a couple last-minute items, and I rolled into the driveway around 11:45. For once, I started thinking… we might actually leave on time.

Now that’s not something that happens often in the Weeble household.

I went straight to my lists—doing everything I could to make sure nothing was forgotten. Of course, deep down, I knew something probably was… but I was determined to keep it to a minimum.

At 1:15, we backed out of the driveway.

I’ll admit—I was a little shocked.

A quick fuel stop for diesel, and we were officially on our way.

The drive started off smooth enough… until we hit the Washington, D.C. Beltway.

Bumper-to-bumper traffic.

I had Waze running, which I usually use for traffic and keeping an eye out for speed traps. Not that I was planning on setting any speed records in the Weeblemobile—but it doesn’t hurt to know what’s ahead.

Waze kept trying to reroute us around the traffic.

Normally, I’d listen.

But this time? I’m driving a 25-foot-long, 11½-foot-tall RV. I wasn’t about to trust it sending me down some random back road with low bridges and tight turns.

So we stayed put and crawled along with everyone else.

Eventually, we broke free and made our way onto I-66 westbound. As we reached the foothills, the Weeblemobile climbed like it didn’t have a care in the world.

We finally made it onto Skyline Drive and pulled into the first picnic area for a dog break.

Of course, the dogs didn’t actually need to go… but they did enjoy the walk.

We rolled into the campground at 6:10 PM.

And, of course, the camp store had closed at 6:00.

No firewood… which meant no campfire for night one.

Not exactly the way I drew it up.

We checked in, found our site, and started setting up. While we were getting things squared away, a woman from the campsite directly across from us walked over.

She introduced herself and explained that she was a teacher chaperoning a group of 60 high school students…

…and they were all staying right across from us.

The only thought that went through my head was:

Oh boy.

To be continued…