The heat drove us east, to Lake Mondsee
On the fourth day of our Alpine adventure, we decided to head eastward in Austria, as the suffocating heat compelled us to seek cooler temperatures. After consulting the map, we discovered that there was a stunning lake district near Salzburg, which seemed like a perfect destination. As dusk fell, we arrived at Lake Mondsee, but once again, we encountered a familiar problem: roadside camping was prohibited everywhere. This is part 4/7 of the Alpine road trip series.
Risking an overnight stay by the lake
At this point, frustration began to mount. It felt as if every pleasant and inviting thing was specifically forbidden. We were tired, and darkness was falling quickly, so we decided to take a risk and stay overnight by the lake, next to the road, despite the prohibition signs. To our surprise, we weren't the only ones. Various types of cars were parked along the road, clearly with people sleeping in them. This offered some comfort and a sense of security, even though we were aware of the ban.
The shower drama begins
At this stage of the trip, we desperately longed for a proper shower, as our previous attempts at cleaning had been limited to dipping in lakes. Darkness had already fallen, but we bravely decided to try out the RV's shower for the first time. Soon, however, problems began to arise.
When we tried to turn on the gas-powered water heater, we discovered it wasn't working at all. We attempted to troubleshoot the issue by Googling and trying various settings, but without tools, a more detailed diagnosis of the fault was impossible. Eventually, we decided to give up and accept the situation – on this trip, there might not be any hot water. Fortunately, it was so hot outside that the thought of a cold shower didn't seem entirely awful.
Water flooding the floor
When we finally turned on the shower tap, another unpleasant surprise awaited us. Not a drop of water came from the showerhead, but the floor of the RV began to flood in the middle of the darkness. The situation was frustrating and chaotic, but we quickly managed to shut off the water and prevent further damage. This episode confirmed that we should have prepared a little better for buying the RV – or at least thoroughly tested all important equipment before embarking on the trip.
Troubleshooting by flashlight
By the light of a phone flashlight, we began to investigate the cause of the water leakage. After a short search, we found the culprit: the hoses of the RV's water tank had been completely detached. Water was coming directly from the pump onto the tank and flowing from there onto the floor. The situation began to become clear – the previous owner of the RV had apparently winterized the vehicle and then completely neglected the water system.
Although the situation initially seemed challenging, we fortunately found a solution. The clamps intended for securing the hoses could be tightened sufficiently with the RV's keys. It wasn't the best tool for attaching hoses, but luckily, it sufficed for this emergency. After a little adjustment, the water stayed where it should, and we finally got the much-needed shower.
Luxury after adversities
We had to resort to the RV's shower for washing, as the nearby lake was not an option. From the edge of the lake, by the roadside, there was a steep five-meter drop into dark water, which was not inviting even after a hot day. Despite all the setbacks, the shower ultimately felt like a luxury – perhaps precisely because so much effort had been put into getting it to work.
