Maiden Voyage of the Pocket - Day 1

 

Little Nash Sno-Park

Last week we picked up our 2022 Winnebago Solis Pocket, starting a new chapter in our life.  We have been wrestling for some time with whether we are too old to go RV traveling.  Are we in a time of our life, due to old age that we should be content to just go about our day to day lives in the retirement community where we live? Boring and depressing. Or, as we recently concluded, should we go for it, buy a new small RV and travel our hearts out. 

We have spent the past year traveling in a very small van, a Ram Promaster City, outfitted for camping by Cascade Campers in Nevada City California.  But, I recently became aware that because of it's limitations we were not that motivated to go camping.  It was great for day trips, perfect for a second vehicle, and as easy to drive as a car. 

This spring two major RV manufactures introduced new models on the shortest of regular van chassis just under 18 feet.  The first one built by Thor Motor Coach has been plagued by engineering mistakes, poor quality construction, and a limited distribution strategy. Second to be introduced was Winnebago with the Solis Pocket.  It caught our attention right away but seemed overpriced and sparse on the extras.  As time went on it became apparent that Winnebago was spot on.  What was lacking were frills that we could do without.  The floor plan was ingenious. And the distribution channels were widespread with dealerships even in Oregon. We finally got to look at one at Johnson RV on August 5th.  It surpassed our expectations, and we plunked down some money, and returned on the 18th for delivery.

That's kind of a long introduction or perhaps attempt at justification, but this afternoon Aug 22nd we took off on our first trip with our Pocket. The spark that got us going was a photo my brother Mark sent me from Echo Basin up in the Cascades.  Our general plan was to travel up the South Santiam and perhaps park over night at Tombstone Sno-Park. Arriving at midafternoon, it was hot and no cell service, so we travel on checking out Lava Lake Sno-Park, and Fish Lake dispersed camping area, and then landed at Little Nash Sno-Park with nice shade of pine and fir trees.

More details tomorrow.