December 2nd ~ Buckley Cove, California
Ellie Mae Camp-it
Delivered: November 30th at 4:00 PM
Weight: 9,564 pounds
Length: 24′ 11″
Proud Parents: Tim and Joanne Joseph
Well, we did it! After a relatively painless delivery, we are taking home our new baby girl – a 2017 Prism (by Coachmen) 2200LE motorhome!!!
Introducing our new baby, Ellie Mae Camp-it
On Tuesday evening we picked up an Avis Rental Car (VW) in the San Fernando Valley and drove seven hours up to Sacramento. We found the best deal through American River RV. Tim had pre-arranged the pricing, finance terms and insurance before we ever left home, so off we went with cashier’s check in hand for the deposit.
Arriving at their satellite store on Wednesday for our appointment at noon we found a bit of chaos, but still the people were friendly. We had already seen the interior of a coach with the floor plan/configuration we wanted, but not the color scheme. All we had seen so far were pictures of the nickel colored interior.
So upon arrival the first thing I asked to do was see the actual unit we were purchasing. A bit disappointed that it had not been cleaned BEFORE our appointment time, they were just starting the cleaning process and we were asked to wait. I managed to at least stick my head inside to see the colors and decided I liked them even better in person than via pictures.
Next step was the painfully long and drawn out paperwork. It really should have only taken about 5-10 minutes, but because the cleaning crew needed 1-2 hours, the finance guy simply spent the time-sharing stories, and general BS while occasionally placing a form in front of us to sign.
Two hours later the coach was ready for us to inspect, do our walk-thru and learn what the different hoses, lines, etc. did and connected to.
Somewhere in the neighborhood of 4:00 we drove off the lot and the Ellie was officially ours!
But we still had a rental car to return, so Tim drove the RV and I drove the VW and we navigated to the Sacramento Airport which was their only drop off point for one way rentals.
When that was crossed off, we FINALLY both jumped into the RV and headed to a local RV park to spend our first night.
With the sun setting early, it was already dark by the time we arrived at SacWest RV Park and Campground. Tim had asked for a recommendation of where to stay, and found out that Jerry, the guy who had done the walk-thru with us was “year-round” there. We wanted someplace close by so that we could do our hookups, try things out and be able to get help if needed.
As it turns out, our new unit is a breeze to hook up. It literally took only a couple of minutes to plug-in a power cord and connect the water line. We have not attempted the clean out hook ups just yet.
When you are actually staying in the unit, you quickly discover things that were missed during the initial inspection. The most serious item was a black pixel line that ran through the picture on the TV.
The next morning we called Jerry and he told us to drop by the lot at noon. They popped our TV out and installed a brand new one on the spot for us.
There are some other minor items that Tim will take care of over the next week or so, such as: blinds that are not aligning properly, a cabinet door that does not stay closed when driving down the road, the entry door opens/locks hard, and a privacy screen that does not fit right. We probably should have caught some of these during our inspection, but I think in the excitement of the moment that we were not as thorough as we should have been.
The bed is comfortable and I slept fine but Tim thinks it is a bit too hard, so I will order a 2″ memory foam for it.
We brought some initial supplies with us in the rental car which gave us a starting place for creature comforts including sheets, heated mattress pad, comforter, towels, paper towels, plates, cups, TP, toiletries, and a few items of clothing.
Time for a trip to both Wal-Mart and Trader Joe’s to pick up some additional supplies.
We have most of the basics now, either here or ordered and will be waiting for us at our shop when we return in a day or two.
We took a few pictures to show the inside and where we are now camped along the river at Buckley Cove in Stockton. The wind was kicked up something furious and we were rocking like crazy. Thankfully it has now died down considerably. Hope we don’t get blown into the water.
U-shapped dinette which will convert into a bed
You can’t tell from this picture, but where the TV is, that end piece of wood is another slide. It will move forward, into the coach to expose some additional pantry storage, and provide more privacy for the bedroom area. The TV will also pivot to allow it to be watched in either the main part of the coach or in the bedroom.
Bigger wardrobe than most of the Class C models we looked at
The freezer/refrigerator are on the far left of this picture, then the bathroom door. The first cupboard is for linens, but I have already blurred those lines 🙂 The two cupboards on the right open to a nice hanging rod with more room than most of the small units. The full drawers underneath give us each a place for socks, undies, sleepwear, etc.
I am fairly used to a small refrigerator/freezer from our cabin, so this was not a huge obstacle for me. Still I will need to plan accordingly to have some simple items on hand that are easy to fix – especially keeping Tim’s finicky tummy in mind.
The bathroom is very tight quarters. But at least it has a medicine cupboard with two shelves as well as storage under the sink. The shower will be OK for quick rinse offs, but I will probably want to use the larger ones at decent campgrounds when I need to wash my hair.
I kind of like my tiny kitchen
A few things that I wanted were dual sinks, three burners, and both a microwave and an oven. Believe it or not I got ALL of them in this tiny unit.
Even TWO sinks!
In the far left back corner on this last picture is a pop up charge station for all our electronics. There is also a USB port in the “cockpit” and one in the bedroom.
Our view along the river in Stockton
High wind warnings for tonight and part of tomorrow have been announced, so we are happy to stay put here at River Point Landing Marina Resort and enjoy getting to know our new baby!
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful for something new to learn – and it will be a learning curve, as neither Tim or I have ever owned an RV before. So excited for the many new destinations right here in the USA and across Canada that are waiting for us to explore. Hope you will join us!
A Note From Abroad 
Congratulations!!! Now go get some rest!
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Sleeping through the night already 💕
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Beautiful girl. Congratulations!
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Thank you very much.
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Congratulations! I love it and love the color scheme you chose. Is the area over the cab of the truck also a sleeping space?
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Yes, has a full size bed with ladder up to it so room to sleep a couple more. This is really designed for two people, but nice to have the option.
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It is a beauty. Enjoy it.
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Thank you!
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Congratulations Tim and Joanne about your new “baby”. I can’t wait to hear about your road travels.
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Barbara, we are really warm weather travelers, so possible destinations coming up during winter months might include Joshua Tree National Park, Arizona, New Mexico and or Death Valley. It will be quite fun planning some routes to take.
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Congratulations! She is beautiful, inside and out! Just perfect!
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We, like most proud parents, may be a little partial, but we think she’s pretty special, lol!
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I’m happy for you!
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So where are you planning to go in it? There must be endless possibilities.
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Mike, our main interest will be seeing as many of the US and Canadian National Parks as we can, but yes the possibilities are endless. Anywhere scenic, in nature, will be first priority, but we also enjoy the bizarre curiosity, historical sites, ghost towns and everything in between. Can’t wait to see what is around the next corner, but love to stop and appreciate each moment along the way.
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I want one just like it. Thanks for doing the research.
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You are sure welcome 🤓
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Congrats on your new ‘baby.’ Peggy and I have full-timed it twice: once for one year and once for three years— in an even smaller 22 foot RV and absolutely loved our experience. Enjoy! –Curt
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Curt, that is always reassuring to hear from someone who has “been there, done that” and loved it!
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Ellie May is just beautiful! Is Mr. Drysdale jealous? 🙂
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I think Tim and I fit the bill more for Jed and Granny 😃
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Congratulations, Ellie May Camp-It (I love the name) looks beautiful … and I love the way you announced her 😊 When we picked up our unit I had only seen color swatches so I know how you feel, I was also much happier with the colors in person than the swatches and picture. Enjoy this new chapter in your live and Safe Travels.
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So glad our birth announcement was a hit! This is such a fun transition time for us.
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Beautiful baby
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Thank you Jerry
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Whooooohooooo! It looks fabulous. Have fun!
Alison
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Alison, we are sure excited to get off on a trip to explore those back roads.
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Congratulations! Lots of fun ahead for you with your new purchase. Perhaps we will see you on the road next spring as we head east with our trailer.
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That would be fun if our paths happen to cross.
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Love the name. Very creative. If you want to come visit Florida during the cold Northern months, I know you have me and the Jantzens to welcome you.
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Thank you Penny! We have wanted to get to Florida for a while, so may just take you up on that one of these days!
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Oh she’s a beaut and how exciting! I predict many excellent adventures ahead!
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Cindy, I think that is a pretty wise prediction.
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Very nice unit, we had a 1979 22′ class c and loved it. Bought it used in the early 90’s and enjoyed it for 10 years. It slept 5 (our whole family). And although it did not have a microwave it had a 4 burner stove with a nice oven for baking cookies in. Warm cookies next to a campfire under the stars, does not get much better than that. Our shower/bath was a one piece unit, so very tiny, but we all got use to showering in it. We even did a lot of dry camping, no hookups. Have fun and enjoy the ride.
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Terry, I’m so glad that your family got to make those wonderful memories together. Can’t wait to make my first batch of cookies. I might just have to pick up the ingredients this weekend. Thanks for that great suggestion.
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Again have some great adventures.
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It looks absolutely wonderful, great days ahead for you both, all the very best to you.
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Thanks for the good wishes!
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Congrats! A cosy little nest to double as your wings!
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Yes, indeed!
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Congratulations, we look forward to your life on the road with Miss Ellie.
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Thank you Gaye. I think we will have so much fun with Ellie May!
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Wow, she’s beautiful! Happy holidays with Ellie!
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Thanks!
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Yay what a beautiful new addition. Congratulations 😉
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Pretty happy with her!
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Oh I bet ❤️
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This is soooo cozy! I’ll definitely put this on my bucket list after seeing this
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Yes, it is cozy, but so far we think roomy enough for just the two of us. We are going to have such a good time and of course make more great memories with our travels.
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Hearty congratulations dear.👍👍👍👍👍👍
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Thank you very much!
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Wow, amazing what you can pack into such a small space! Happy travelling.
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Seems pretty well thought out. Could always use more storage space, but trying to just get the essentials.
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Love the announcement approach and her name. On my bucket list is to rent one for a cross-country trip one day. Cannot imagine living in one for long. Best wishes for your adventures!
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Pat, I’m not sure how long term would be in this small space, but the first three nights have been so much fun. Highly recommend giving one a try. Thank you for the good wishes.
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Congratulations from sunny south FL. You bought the exact rv I’m looking at. Is yours a diesel? I’ll be interested to read your posts about your new rv as you learn about it – kind of help me find my path. I spend my summers in Bangor, ME area (at a KOA campground) and live in south FL in winters in my home. If you ever decide to come to Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, ME, keep me posted as I camp about 45 min. away. I especially liked all the details of picking up Ellie and all the things you are learning about her and camping. I have a very small trailer rv right now which I’ve used for 2 summers and have loved it. Just too small for a long summer of camping so I’m ready to move up. Sending you lots of good experiences and fun as you embark on your new lifestyle. Keep us posted!!
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Yes, she is a diesel. We visited Acadia NP in 2013, so probably won’t be back your way in the near future. It sounds like you too are living a charmed life between two beautiful places.
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Hi Joanne, when I first saw the announcement it took me by surprise. I was thinking about you two yesterday and if you’re around and have some time, let’s get together. You can even bring Ellie May and spend the night.. sorry, no hookups…..;)
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Would love to get together with you guys! I’ll get ahold of you after we get home.
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Congratulations! And thanks for chronicling your new adventure. I’m looking forward to hearing about your journeys.
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Looking forward to sharing it with you. Thanks!
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Such a clever name. I bet you will be having some ‘Texas Tea’ in there. Congrats – have lotsa fun!
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Haha – bet you are right!
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Congratulations! Looks like a great way to travel around the country.
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Sure going to do our best to find that out 👍
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ENJOY!!!!!!
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Congratulations she looks gorgeous! Enjoy your new addition
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Isn’t she sweet. Proud parents 🍾
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Congratulations and many happy miles! She is beautiful -and so spacious!
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We think they did a great job of utilizing every inch.
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Looks like it – enjoy!
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Congratulations! We can’t wait to see all three of you in our part of the USA when you get our way!
Good luck and HAPPY RVing!!!
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We will certainly give you fair warning if we are heading your way. Always enjoy seeing you!
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I know you will have great fun with your new baby. We took a new RV from the factory at Forest City, Iowa, to Anchorage, Alaska a couple of years ago. If you’re interested in reading about our adventures take a look at: http://www.here2where.wordpress.com.
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I certainly enjoyed checking out your blog, especially the posts from the National Parks in Alaska. Beautiful photography and informative write-ups. So glad you pointed me in your direction 😃
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I totally love the description…an ideal can for camping
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I mean an ideal van for camping
(stupid autocorrect)
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I rather liked the “can” comment better, lol.
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Lol…looking forward to reading more posts…
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Reblogged this on PenneyVanderbilt.
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Wow, lovely new addition, congratulations! As responsible parents, bet the learning curve is forgiving, so don’t sweat it. Instead, like every new addition, savor the joy. Cheers!
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Thank you Roxie. Savoring away!
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Pingback: Birth Announcement – It’s A Girl! | By the Mighty Mumford
You got me on the title ….enjoy your baby 🙂
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Thank you Nandini! I’m sure we will make more amazing memories exploring the USA and Canada together.
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Will look forward to all your wonderful post about your trips 🙂
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What a fun and creative announcement! We made a different choice for our first RV (43′) and love it, but thinkeep we may want to go small in the future for ease of fitting into everywhere! We actually were looking at very similar Sprinter-based units on our last trip to Florida. Still down the road a ways, but I look forward to following your experience!
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We know we have a lot to learn, but really excited to get on the road.
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Haha, love the name and clever announcement. Have fun.
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Thank you!
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It was my father’s dream to live such a life and by default/extension mine. I hope you have a wonderful time – for I can then take vicarious enjoyment 🙂 An excellent post and announcement. Congratulations on your new baby 😀
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Thank you Dahlia. We would be delighted to have you follow along.
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🙂
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What a baby….. that´s a pent house on wheels.
What was curious to see was the sink, never saw that type. At the same time I have never been in an RV. Enjoy the trip and the new home. I´ll drop by as time permits to hear about your travels.
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Thank you very much. We hope you will drop in on occasion to check out our RVing adventures.
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It’s gorgeous!!!
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Congrats! She’s gorgeous. Happy trails and… Happy New Year. Hugs.
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Thank you very much. We are pretty proud parents. Best wishes for 2017!
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Congratulations on your bouncing baby ….bus!!!😂
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Haha, Lady G, love that!
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I couldn’t resist! LOL!
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Congrats on the new arrival, already 9,564 lbs, they grow up so fast!
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Haha, do you think it is too soon to start a college fund???
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