4.11.21 OUR FIRST CAMPING TRIP!

Our first outing is to Crystal Springs Campground in Royal Arkansas for my (Brenda) birthday. We camped at this site from April 11-13, 2021.

We stayed at site 35B. The site has water and electric hook ups, level, easy access, cell service, fire pit, table, grill, clean showers, restrooms, pet friendly and is lake/waterfront.

We saved 50% with our DV pass, so our site rate was $22/night.

This being our first outing... it was NOT without it's obstacles!

4/11/21

For starters, we bottomed out the rear of the Jeep. The rear fenders would rub the rear tires when we hit potholes or any uneven road that caused bouncing. Once we reached camp and started to set up, the roof would no open completely at the rear corner of the pop up. We made some calls, but didn't really get any answers, so we just set it up like it was. The door would shut and everything seemed to be okay, even though it didn't raise all the way.

We also had a water fiasco. Turned on the water at the sink and it puddled on the floor. Water came out of the faucet and the drain... great. Now the floor is soaked and we can't use the water for the rest of the trip.

It was a COLD night. We weren't exactly prepared for how cold the pop up would be inside. We weren't TOO concerned as we knew that the pop up has heat and also that it has heated mattresses. So we hook up the mattress and turn the overhead unit to 'heat'. But it only blows cold air. Time for Google! Turns out that the overhead unit is only able to cool, not heat. I also discover how to use the furnace and locate the thermostat. I go through the walk through video while I'm waiting for the space to warm up and they did NOT touch on this subject 😔. The furnace is blowing nice hot air, but also smoke as it's the first time it has been run. Before long, the smoke sets off the smoke detector. FUN! It's 1am in a silent campground and the smoke detector on our pop up with its thin tent walls is blaring!

4/12/21

Today was all about EXPLORING! We started at Hot Springs National Park and Bathhouse Row, stopping at some virtual caches and cool sights along the way. We also stopped at a cool Superior Bathhouse Brewery for some local beer. We also got a really good pretzel and brought home a filled growler to share with Devin once we get home.

After the NP, we went up the Mountain Tower for a bird's eye view of the area and then did some caching. We at dinner at Phil's. They had HUGE portions of homestyle southern cooking. After dinner we went back to the campsite and hung out. We were able to borrow an electric heater from our 'neighbor'. MUCH more efficient than burning propane for the furnace (electricity is FREE) and won't set off the smoke detector. WIN!

4/13/21

Today is my birthday!!! We hang out for a little bit in the morning and go to a lookout spot that Julio found on the Geocaching app. After that little adventure, we pack up and head back home.