not sure what happened- doesn’t look like some one tried to get in but the lock for our Fleetwood Sun Valley is gone. This is the one use to close up stairs and the secure so travelling with this gone is impossible- you can’t close it.
I called our dealer and replacement for it is 40.00 which is not bad. the 150.00 labour charge tho!
you apparently need a rivet gun to get this done and then takes about 90 minutes to do Argh.

This is pretty neat- I wrote earlier about the luxury portable kitchen- here is something a but less upscale- a Coleman Folding Sink
! This would be great for soing dishes and back packing. It is one item that is very bulky and hard to bring with you when space is at a premium- like portaging.

I the OLD days we used a plastic tub and heated water up over the campfire to wash dishes. Now you can take a WHOLE kitchen with you.

Check oit this Coleman Exponent Outfitter Camp Kitchen from Coleman.

Features a sink with drain, sliding shelf for stove. paper towel holder (!) and a backgammon.chess board .
I am not sure how I feel about this. With the trailer I have been feeling less and less like we are even camping. I do LOVE not getting wet but I have become very dependent on things like electricity and water to the point of what I think is ridiculous- I canot go camping without my electricSunbeam King Arlington Electric Heated Warming Mattress Pad, White
cover.

We store our folding tent trailer outside with no problems and take these precautions as part if the winterizing trailer routine.

Lubricate Metal Parts of Your Trailer Over the Winter

I do this for my pop up trailer, a Fleetwood Sun Valley 2007. I buy a can of silicone lubricant. When the trailer is open and I am putting antifreeze in the water lines we spray the metal rails at four corners of the trailer, as well as the metal stabilizing jacks.
The silicone is waterproof and protects the metal over the winter.

Protect Protect Hitch and Power Connections

A neighbor showed me this one. Take large pail- preferable tall- put over the hitch connections on the trailer. It will cover them nicely and protect from weather and snow.

Make Sure not Mice and Other Critter Get In Your Trailer Over the Winter

First get rid of any food or crumbs that might be left in the trailer. Check under mattress and cushions.
I am not sure if this has any merits. but we also put scented dryer sheets everywhere. Our dealer told us this trick- I am nit sure if or how ti works but he said they don;t like the smell. I tuck heavily scented sheets all over nooks and crannies of the trailer for the winter.

Any other tips? Let us know!

I think this is a great idea to use in your trailer for doing dishes. I don’t use a dish drain but a large dish towel folded up.
Anything you can do to reduce risk of water going anywhere and avoiding mold or mildew is worth looking into. I do get a bit of a problem with water from the sink and wet dishes going in behind my Fleetwood trailer sink area and “mop” up often.

This idea looks like it would solve a bunch of issues for me. Its easy to store and works well.
The genius behiond this idea is Linda at LindaMade. You can get pattern and full instructions for making this dish drain on her site.

An essential for cooking while camping is a good quality iron skillet or frying pan ( not teflon coated) You can use it to make eggs, pancakes, bacon and you can also use to cook over a campfire. Here are some easy-ish recipes to make make over a campfire- go beyond hot dogs and s’smores!

Recipe for Dessert Dumplings to Make Over Campfire

These dumpings cook in their own delicious sauce.
1 cup Bisquick ( or similar) biscuit mix
1 cup raisins ( optional - you can also use other dried fruit like chopped apricots, dates, etc)
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 egg lightlty beaten
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup milk

Topping
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups water
1/4 cup butter

This makes enough for about 6-8 people or 10 kids.

Combine biscuit mix with raisins and add nuts. In large bowl beat egg and add brown sugar, vanilla and milk. Stir egg mixture into dry ingredients and mix well.
In large skillet, combine topping ingrdients. auce ingredients; heat to boil. Add dumpling batter to sauce by tablespoonfuls. Cover with lid or foil and let simmer over low heat for about 25 minutes. You can make over hot coals or stovetop.

Each night at the campfire Disney movies are shown on outdoor screen. The atmosphere is wonderful. You can bring you own hot dogs , marshmallows and S’more stuff to buy at the chuck wagon. In bust seasons they show 2 movies on Friday and Saturday/
Cost is free. Movies Start at 7:30. There is a camp fire sing-a- long with Chip and Dale starting at 6:30. Campfire open for roasting at 6pm. They rarely “stop” or cancel movies- even with light rain.

Schedule for Campfie Movies at Fort Wilderness July 2008

July 1 Home on the Range
July 2 Lilo and Stitch (PG)
July 3 Finding Nemo
July 4 National Treasure (PG)
July 5 Cars
July 6 Tarzan
July 7 National Treasure 2 (PG)
July 8 Ella Enchanted
July 9 The Jungle Book
July 1 The Little Mermaid
July 11 Freaky Friday (PG)
July 12 Ratatouille
July 13 11 Dalmatians
July 14 Enchanted
July 15 College Road Trip
July 16 Underdog
July 17 High School Musical
July 18 Meet the Robinsons
July 19 The Pacifier (PG)
July 20 Toy Story
July 21 The Game Plan (PG)
July 22 The Rescuers Down Under
July 23 Bedknobs and Broomsticks
July 24 Chicken Little
July 25 High School Musical 2
July 26 Herbie Fully Loaded
July 27 Peter Pan
July 28 The Parent Trap (PG)
July 29 Sword in the Stone
July 30 The Swiss Family Robinson
July 31 Mulan

You can download manuals for you Thetford portable toilets ( porta potti for camping and trailer on the Thetford site, under their parts section

We have been using a porta potti for several years and it is a godsend, It is used at might for kids and in the rain… Only peeing is allowed. Don;t mean to be gross but couldn’t imagine other things being done in there and having in trailer.

I have found the Porta Potti easy to keep clean and store- if you have a Fleetwood pop up make sure you don’t get one that is too high to store!

For those of you who don’t know- our family loves to ski (we are Canadian after all! ) . I grew up skiing and my dad was always going to Banff and Whistler to ski. many times he went to Europe ( not good for the marriage) and would go for a week or more with his ski buddies to places like Courchevel, France or Austria staying in a courchevel chalet . This drove my mom crazy- she wen t sking once wiht him and broke her leg.
The times I remember going with him were not that pleasant- my brothers and i were were left to fend for ourselves on the less dangerous hill while my dad tried to kill himself. I mostly remember never being able to find my dad and being freezing cold.
It isi a wonder i will even set foot on ski hill!
We love goin with kids and it is more about fun than thrills.

Off on a mini holiday to one of our favorite areas in New York State, this time to Letchworth campground- near Castile.
Often referred to as the ” Grand Canyon of the East” because of its spectacular cliffs and lush forests.

The campground boasts lots of hiking trails which we love and you can also horseback ride. I think this may be expensive. When we have tried to go horseback riding at places like Alleghany we have been stunned at the high prices they charge.

The scenery is just gorgeous- you will not be disappointed.The bathrooms and amenities are not bad. In general I have found the facilities in American parks to be better than Ontario parks. Most Ontario parks have outhouses which I have never seen in American parks.

I am not sure about situation with bears this year. This is one reason my kids don’t like going to Alleghany- they get pretty freaked out by bear population and refuse to leave trailer after dark.

Will post pics when we return .