We decided to use our trailer and go camping at Hawley Lake in the White Mountain Apache Reservation. Our trailer is stored just outside the reservation, so we had a nice drive with nothing to pull. We had no problem grabbing the trailer and heading to the camp site. Unfortunately, we were running a little late which meant it was dark and the camp office was closed when we got there. The Indians who run the place were still there, but our reservation was taken. So, they put us in the last spot. I loved the spot because it looked down on the lake and had plenty of room for a fire pit, and it was transverse to the other trailers. The spot was sloped a little more than slightly. Still, we backed in, unhitched and started to plug in. The electric plugged in fine and that was a blessing. The water was spilling out the bottom, on the downhill side. Kyle and I searched for the leak and found that our water heater had burst over the winter. Turns out the winterizing drain doesn’t drain the heater; you have to drain that separately. So, no hot water all weekend. I enjoyed the freezing mountain showers, but only Amy and I showered. BTW, Kyle didn’t smell. I disconnected the water and started leveling the trailer with the leveling jacks while Amy put together the inside. As KJ, Kyle and I jacked the downhill side and Amy was getting stuff out of the car; the jack slipped, the tongue fell and the trailer tipped toward the extended pop-out. My first reaction was to throw my shoulder into the falling trailer. Amy jumped toward us to hold it up too. The trailer is about 9,000 lbs. But, we weren’t thinking, just reacting. Tanner and the dogs were inside the trailer and had a good lurch. Chihuahuas are so skittish. Something to remember when training for weapons use. Of course, the trailer settled on its axels and didn’t fall. But I peed a little in my pants (threw them away later). We got the trailer as set as we were going to get that night and left the rest for the morning. We all slept at a fun angle that night. Next morning, we removed the heater and fixed 2 other leaks. We stabilized the tongue with an alter of rocks and reset it. We pulled the trailer through after moving a boat and pulled it onto some rocks to level. After the repairs, and positioning, we were in great shape and pulled out the awning. Our front door looked right down at the lake.

We then started to have less adventurous fun including fishing, crawdading, cow tipping, mallow roasting, hotdog roasting, puzzle making, movie watching, rowing, etc. We also went into town and had a great red-meat meal at one of our favorite steak places.

The trip was a great adventure and we learned that when things don’t go perfectly, the kids are more than willing to pitch in and have some fun while we’re at it.