Driving Lesson Continued

Day two of my driving lesson was intense! We reviewed making turns before heading out to the freeway. We also reviewed how to slow down on a steep downhill grade and I learned how downshifts hold the speed down. We practiced getting off and on the interstate, pulling into a rest area and a gas station. I also learned how to negotiate a large dip in the road so that we don't scrape the hitch or bumper. After going back up the steep grade we headed to an empty lot and I learned 4 different ways to back the RV into a camping area. This involved distance, timing and proper use of the mirrors. John and I will need to coordinate hand signals but I actually caught on fairly well. At least the instructor thought so. In fact, he thought I did so well, that he set up a slalom course. Going forward I went around 4 cones. It took a few times to get the cones spaced far enough apart so that I didn't smash one! Ha! THEN, I negotiated the same course going BACKWARD! The only way to do that is by using the mirrors. That was hard work! But I did it! We then hitched the Jeep to the RV and I practiced driving while towing.

After I got my certificate, John drove us down to Desert Hot Springs where we'll spend two nights before moving on. The RV park is more of a resort than campground. They have a 9 hole golf course, a pool and two spas, tennis courts and all kinds of activities. Our golf games have deteriorated in the 3 months since we last played (that's a nice way of saying we sucked!). But we did relax in the hot tub afterward and that was good for the aching muscles.