Chapter 10 #3
“If we get it today, we still have plenty of time to take it out before winter sets in. It has an all-season furnace/air conditioner too, so we’d have heat.
It also has that really nice fireplace, too, that can keep us warm.
” She asked how long it would take for them to do a shake-down trip.
“I’d say about a week. Then we can make a list of things that we need in it when we take it on a more long-distance trip.
I’ve thought about kitchen stuff too, spices and the like.
We’ll pick them up as we need them. I don’t see us cooking much in the camper. I want to see the sites with you.”
“So we just pack up some clothing and buy what we feel we need as we go? That sounds like it might be expensive.” He said it was going to be their first vacation home together, and they wanted it to be perfect.
“I love that idea of not cooking. I don’t enjoy it anyway, so that would be something we can mark off our list. I do love that we can have snacks in the big refrigerator plus drinks. ”
“My truck will pull it easily, and if it doesn’t, I was thinking we could get something that matches the camper.
We want to look good when we show up at a campground.
” She laughed, and he could have jumped for joy.
“I’ve been reading up on things that we’re going to need, like propane tanks.
This one comes with two, so we don’t have to worry about running out of hot water or heat if we get this one. ”
“I love that it has two bedrooms too, and that one of them is a bunk bed. If we still have it when we have children, it’ll be nice for them to have their own space.
” She ran her hands along the ladder that was hanging along the bunks.
“By the time they come along, we’ll be old pros at this, don’t you think? ”
“I think that you’re right. I’m thinking that we need to get a bigger truck before then, too.
One with four doors so that it’ll be easier to get them in and out of.
” He could tell that she was warming to the idea, and he was too.
If they wanted, they could have the tanks filled and be on their way by morning.
They’d not go far; it was just a trial period for them, but they’d have fun doing what they wanted when they wanted.
“What do you say? Do we buy this one or wait and see others before we decide?”
“I think we should buy this one. Not this model one, right? They’ll give us another one so that we can have brand new.” He said they’d go over and pick it up at the lot, wherever they said. “I want to go camping so bad. This is going to be so much fun for the two of us.”
“You know it.” They walked around it more and decided that they couldn’t do any better.
With the show price, they were getting a great deal on it, too, so they decided to purchase the one that he’d done all the research on.
Just as they were going to find a salesman for the area they were in, someone came to find them.
It was the boss of the man who had accused him of beating Elaine.
“I don’t know if I want to deal with this company. ”
“I don’t know either. He was so rude and embarrassed me to death.
I knew that I should have stayed home.” Then, he pointed out they’d not have the camper of their dreams. “I know, but I’ve never wanted to hit someone as much as I did him at that moment.
The guy was getting on my last nerve with accusing you of hurting me. ”
“Hello. I’m sorry about what happened before.
I’ve sent him back to the dealership. Is there anything I can do for you to purchase this fine camper?
” Knox had dealt with salesmen before and knew that he’d try anything to get them into the one that was the most expensive.
Knox asked him what kind of discount he was going to give them for their embarrassment.
The man laughed. “I’ll give you an extra twenty percent off the sale price above the one that is the show discount.
In addition to that, I’ll pay for it to be cleaned up at the dealership for you as well as fill the tanks for you. ”
“Will we be taking this one?” He said no, he had a better model at no extra charge at the dealership that he’d sell to them with all the perks. “If it’s better, what can we expect from it?”
“You’re a shrewd man. I’ll have it cleaned up now, and you and Mrs. Erickson can go right over and have a look at it. If it’s not what you want, then I’ll sell you this one at a discount more than I’ve already offered you.”
The dealership wasn’t that far away, so they made the trip there.
The camper was still being cleaned up, so they took a look at the things they might need to go camping.
There were plugs and cords that he had read about, but nothing he knew how to make work.
They might have to have their shake down in the yard before he’d feel comfortable enough to go out into the wild, so to speak, and try his hand at camping.
They were going to need to have several shake downs if he had to figure it out in one trip.
“Mr. Erickson?” He said that was him to the salesperson on the floor. “Mr. Claude said to put everything you’re going to need in the camper. So you don’t have to purchase any of this for your trip.”
“I’m not even sure what any of this stuff is.
We’re going to be new to camping.” He told him that they’d do fine and to watch some videos on the internet, and they’d get it sooner rather than later.
“I hope so. This has been a dream of ours for a while now. We’re hoping to see the country inside this thing. ”
“I’m supposed to tell you that the rig is a bit longer than the one at the show.
It has not just bunk beds in the back of it, but there is an office of sorts, too, that can be hooked up to the internet when you have it.
Also, you might want to know that there is a coupon for a discount on internet service if you need it.
” He told the man that they would. “I figured as much. It’s about ready for you to have a look at.
You’re getting one hell of a deal if you don’t mind me saying so. ”
“I’m glad to hear that.” The camper was longer than the one that they’d seen at the show.
Not only that, but it was all fresh too, like the cleaning they’d done had taken out all the new smells and made it seem like a home.
As they inspected the camper, they talked about how much fun they were going to have when they went out, and he was happy that she was in such a better mood. He loved his wife with all his heart.
As soon as they got home, having eaten dinner in town, they started looking at videos on the links that the salesman, Danny, had given them.
It was a little daunting knowing all the things that they had to do, but they were going to do it.
As soon as they were ready for bed, all the things they’d learned buzzing in their head, they talked for a while as they lay there.
“It’s going to be fun once we get it down.” He agreed with Elaine and told her they had a lot to learn. “We should just camp in it in the yard a couple of times so that we know how to hook things up. At the very least until we know what we’re doing.”
He agreed with her. “I think we’ll get it down easily enough. It’s just a bit overwhelming now.” He hoped so anyway. “In a few months, less I’m betting we’ll wonder what all the fuss was about.”
“I hope so.” As they went to sleep, he held her in his arms. There was a lot to learn, but they were both smart and knew how to ask for help when they needed it.
As soon as he felt himself drifting off, he thought of how much fun they were going to have when the children came around.
He hoped it was soon, but didn’t care. So long as they were together and happy, he was going to take things as they came to them.