Saturday, April 23, 2011
Breaking Camp
Tom, Jr had a long ways to go to get home and a short time to do it. So, they upped their departure to Saturday afternoon, hoping to get closer to home before stopping for the night. We had a wonderful time with them and were sad to see them leave. But, Monday would bring back job and school, so this would be better than starting out the week exhausted. After an Easter egg hunt, lunch and a flurry of things being thrown into the camper and truck, they were gone. Dusty and Traci stayed one more relaxing night.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Carter Caves State Resort Park - April 17-24
Tom, Jr. pulled in Monday. It sure was good to see that old pop-up camper come round the corner. That signaled girls! Three of the prettiest girls around came to camp with Grandpa. They just happened to bring along their mom and dad - oh, yes, and Mollie. Watching those grown long-legged girls crawl out of the back seat of the extended cab pickup was quite a sight. If it had been me, pieces would have been falling off, but they just shook it off and came gave me a hug. Made my day.
Their camp spot was right next door. We worked at it a while and soon had them all set up, but that Macey is a whiz at setting up the camper. She knows how and did all the "inside" work. Tom had a piece of the tent frame missing so I manufactured one from an old piece of wire I had in Pumpkin's tool drawer. That and a zip tie held the entire week.
The nearest shower/restroom building was closed for painting - so they said. Anyway, that meant bathroom chores that couldn't be taken care of behind a tree had to be taken to the restrooms at the main office building and the equivalent of 4-5 blocks away. We had bicycles handy for the trip, but between rain and plain old urgency, Coors had the job of being the restroom shuttle. A few times, Coors needed a siren and flashing red lights.
Julie did most of the meal planning and much of the preparation. Mostly, the cooking was done in Pumpkin as Julie's kitchen was outside under the awning. Sometimes it was just too windy or wet to work there.
I found a pile of firewood at a nearby unoccupied campsite and used Joyce's tricycle (w/basket) to move it to our campsite. I also had brought a couple of boxes of kindling from home. So, we soon had a nice fire going. Needed it, too. The evenings were usually chilly.
Tom and I and the three girls took a trip to Grayson in Coors to get some Julie supplies. We spotted some sites we wanted to visit, so after we got back we went to a few. We stopped at a small cave but couldn't go in. The caves were closed, at least to non-escorted tours. We then stopped at the gift shop and found a path down to a natural bridge while there. That was pretty neat. A road passed overhead on the natural bridge and a fast running little stream passed underneath. It was more like a cave with two openings at each end than a bridge. There was also a huge hole through the top up by the road. It was a long ways up to the opening. We went on the road later and stopped to look at the hole from the top side. It was a long ways down to the bottom, too.
The park had a little miniature golf course and clubs could be rented at the office. We stopped by to see if we could get a complimentary round for the girls. We used the reasoning of no bathroom near our camp. A young guy was working there and when he saw the three girls, I don't think he paid any attention to our reasoning. He just said, "Sure". But, it was near closing time so we said we'd come back tomorrow to play - which we did. And, when we did, it was quite evident the kid was taken by the girls. He didn't charge them, but he did charge Tom and I. Guess we weren't quite as appealing.
The golfing was fun. We played two rounds. Grandpa won both. At one point something was said about Grandpa falling down and Addey said, "Then we could knock his ball all around". Ball quickly became plural and we they had a good laugh.
Time passed too quickly. But, Thursday Dusty showed up with Traci and kids and more fun kicked in. Of course, with the arrival of Dusty came rain, resulting in some inside activities.
Their camp spot was right next door. We worked at it a while and soon had them all set up, but that Macey is a whiz at setting up the camper. She knows how and did all the "inside" work. Tom had a piece of the tent frame missing so I manufactured one from an old piece of wire I had in Pumpkin's tool drawer. That and a zip tie held the entire week.
The nearest shower/restroom building was closed for painting - so they said. Anyway, that meant bathroom chores that couldn't be taken care of behind a tree had to be taken to the restrooms at the main office building and the equivalent of 4-5 blocks away. We had bicycles handy for the trip, but between rain and plain old urgency, Coors had the job of being the restroom shuttle. A few times, Coors needed a siren and flashing red lights.
Julie did most of the meal planning and much of the preparation. Mostly, the cooking was done in Pumpkin as Julie's kitchen was outside under the awning. Sometimes it was just too windy or wet to work there.
I found a pile of firewood at a nearby unoccupied campsite and used Joyce's tricycle (w/basket) to move it to our campsite. I also had brought a couple of boxes of kindling from home. So, we soon had a nice fire going. Needed it, too. The evenings were usually chilly.
Tom and I and the three girls took a trip to Grayson in Coors to get some Julie supplies. We spotted some sites we wanted to visit, so after we got back we went to a few. We stopped at a small cave but couldn't go in. The caves were closed, at least to non-escorted tours. We then stopped at the gift shop and found a path down to a natural bridge while there. That was pretty neat. A road passed overhead on the natural bridge and a fast running little stream passed underneath. It was more like a cave with two openings at each end than a bridge. There was also a huge hole through the top up by the road. It was a long ways up to the opening. We went on the road later and stopped to look at the hole from the top side. It was a long ways down to the bottom, too.
The park had a little miniature golf course and clubs could be rented at the office. We stopped by to see if we could get a complimentary round for the girls. We used the reasoning of no bathroom near our camp. A young guy was working there and when he saw the three girls, I don't think he paid any attention to our reasoning. He just said, "Sure". But, it was near closing time so we said we'd come back tomorrow to play - which we did. And, when we did, it was quite evident the kid was taken by the girls. He didn't charge them, but he did charge Tom and I. Guess we weren't quite as appealing.
The golfing was fun. We played two rounds. Grandpa won both. At one point something was said about Grandpa falling down and Addey said, "Then we could knock his ball all around". Ball quickly became plural and we they had a good laugh.
Time passed too quickly. But, Thursday Dusty showed up with Traci and kids and more fun kicked in. Of course, with the arrival of Dusty came rain, resulting in some inside activities.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Carter Caves State Resort Park
We arrived at Carter Caves State Resort Park early in the afternoon. The place is really nice and quite empty. There are only about 5 or 6 other campers and none very close to us. Carter Caves was a second choice. We were originally planning on staying at Twin Knobs Campground in the Daniel Boone National Forest. But, at the time we were planning this trip, the Federal government was threatening shutdown and we got concerned about the campground being closed. So, I chose Carter Caves simply because it was close to equidistant from NY & Mo. As it turned out, Carter Caves was a good choice.
We got set up, leveled with power and water connected and awning reeled out. We had been towing Coors, so it wound up parked in front of Pumpkin. Later, we drove Coors to Grayson (nearest town of any size). Joyce wanted a DQ.
The DQ was a mistake. We decided to eat supper there and both ordered a shrimp basket. It took forever. When the order finally came out, I told them it was “to go” since we planned to eat outside on their picnic table. Already frustrated by the long time it took for the order, I got outside only to find they had not put any utensils or napkins in the boxes. I went back in to get some and none were in sight. I had to stand and wait quite a few minutes before I could get anyone’s attention. Finally, I got what I needed. When I went back out, the wind had picked up and it was getting chilly. To top it off, their coleslaw was crap. I don’t recommend the DQ in Grayson. But, we did get a mini-blizzard each and they were good.
We got set up, leveled with power and water connected and awning reeled out. We had been towing Coors, so it wound up parked in front of Pumpkin. Later, we drove Coors to Grayson (nearest town of any size). Joyce wanted a DQ.
The DQ was a mistake. We decided to eat supper there and both ordered a shrimp basket. It took forever. When the order finally came out, I told them it was “to go” since we planned to eat outside on their picnic table. Already frustrated by the long time it took for the order, I got outside only to find they had not put any utensils or napkins in the boxes. I went back in to get some and none were in sight. I had to stand and wait quite a few minutes before I could get anyone’s attention. Finally, I got what I needed. When I went back out, the wind had picked up and it was getting chilly. To top it off, their coleslaw was crap. I don’t recommend the DQ in Grayson. But, we did get a mini-blizzard each and they were good.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
General Butler State Resort Park
As we were leaving Grayville City Park, I took a different route out. There was a sports complex we had passed coming in. Had we taken a turn in the middle of it, we would have shortened the trip in by quite a bit. So, we went out that way. Here's Joyce's version of the trek:
Next morning, I followed Pumpkin in the Jeep to level ground to make it easier to connect. As I followed Pumpkin, the road out of the park split. I watched as Tom seemed to have difficulty determining which of the roads to take. A slight hesitation, then veered off to the left…no, he’s turning right, and off the pavement. And I watched in horror as Pumpkin’s right rear tires sunk to the hub in soft mud.
A lot of tire spinning, a lot of smoke, a lot of mud flinging but Tom got ‘er out of there. And we were soon on our way. I was totally stressed as I watched the RV wallow in the mud. Later, Tom said he wasn't stressed at all.
My butt is still tight worrying about that damn Jeep tow bar dragging on every little incline.
I reckon it’s my job to worry. Tom doesn't seem to!
Well, I guess her version is pretty close to how it went.
We were shooting for Deam Lake SRA in Indiana tonight - just north of Louisville, Ky. But, another plan change. We wound up at General Butler State Resort Park in Kentucky near Carrollton. Actually, we wanted to go a bit further, but time caught up with us and so did the rain. Oh well, it is just an overnighter. It has been a beautiful drive in northern Kentucky, so far. We're taking the lesser roads (mostly state roads).
Next morning, I followed Pumpkin in the Jeep to level ground to make it easier to connect. As I followed Pumpkin, the road out of the park split. I watched as Tom seemed to have difficulty determining which of the roads to take. A slight hesitation, then veered off to the left…no, he’s turning right, and off the pavement. And I watched in horror as Pumpkin’s right rear tires sunk to the hub in soft mud.
A lot of tire spinning, a lot of smoke, a lot of mud flinging but Tom got ‘er out of there. And we were soon on our way. I was totally stressed as I watched the RV wallow in the mud. Later, Tom said he wasn't stressed at all.
My butt is still tight worrying about that damn Jeep tow bar dragging on every little incline.
I reckon it’s my job to worry. Tom doesn't seem to!
Well, I guess her version is pretty close to how it went.
We were shooting for Deam Lake SRA in Indiana tonight - just north of Louisville, Ky. But, another plan change. We wound up at General Butler State Resort Park in Kentucky near Carrollton. Actually, we wanted to go a bit further, but time caught up with us and so did the rain. Oh well, it is just an overnighter. It has been a beautiful drive in northern Kentucky, so far. We're taking the lesser roads (mostly state roads).
Friday, April 15, 2011
Grayville City Park
Well, we didn't wind up at Harmonie State Park. Instead we went on up to Hilltop Campground in Grayville, IL., not far from Harmonie. I needed gas and was concerned about higher gas prices in Indiana.
Hilltop is part of the Grayville City Park. We had to wind around through the town and up a hill (thus, "Hilltop") behind the baseball field. There were 20-25 campsites on a tree covered loop. Only 2 other campers were there, both 5th wheels, and only one appeared to be occupied, although neither had a vehicle there. It was very isolated and a bit scary, but sure as heck was quiet.
I got the power and water connected and Pumpkin leveled just in time for the rain. Here we go again with that uncooperative weather god.
Just before dark, a car showed up and went to one of the trailers. I don't know if the guy was homeless and living in a camper or what, but he sure did not have a vehicle there that could pull the trailer.
No one ever came around to collect a camping fee and there was no accommodation for making a payment. So, Hilltop was free. Maybe it wasn't so scary after all.
Hilltop is part of the Grayville City Park. We had to wind around through the town and up a hill (thus, "Hilltop") behind the baseball field. There were 20-25 campsites on a tree covered loop. Only 2 other campers were there, both 5th wheels, and only one appeared to be occupied, although neither had a vehicle there. It was very isolated and a bit scary, but sure as heck was quiet.
I got the power and water connected and Pumpkin leveled just in time for the rain. Here we go again with that uncooperative weather god.
Just before dark, a car showed up and went to one of the trailers. I don't know if the guy was homeless and living in a camper or what, but he sure did not have a vehicle there that could pull the trailer.
No one ever came around to collect a camping fee and there was no accommodation for making a payment. So, Hilltop was free. Maybe it wasn't so scary after all.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Greenville Campground (COE)
We don't hit it too hard when we travel. Typically we like to drive about 4 hours - 6 max. Today we made our first stop at Greenville Campground (COE) on Wappaello Lake. We seldom get reservations as we seldom know for sure where we'll be stopping. So, when we got to Greenville, we were lucky to find a spot. Who would have thought it might be filled on April 14? As it turned out, there was a black power association get together. Folks had big white old time Army tents clustered in a meadow next to the campground. The weekend was shaping up to be a noisy smoky affair. But, we were moving on the next morning and would not be there to witness the event.
During the night it stormed. So much for the weather god cooperating. The next morning it was easy to understand where the old saying “Keep your powder dry” came from. Oh well, we’re off for Indiana today. The planned stop is Harmonie State Park, a bit west of Evansville.
During the night it stormed. So much for the weather god cooperating. The next morning it was easy to understand where the old saying “Keep your powder dry” came from. Oh well, we’re off for Indiana today. The planned stop is Harmonie State Park, a bit west of Evansville.
Joyce's birthday and start of another trip
Joyce turns...huh...well, let's just say she doesn't have to buy a fishing license in Missouri anymore. But, we're leaving Missouri today heading for eastern Kentucky. We are meeting Tom, Jr. and family and, later, Dustin and family at Carter Caves State Resort Park. Carter Caves was chosen because it is about halfway between Cedarcreek, Mo. and Altmar, NY. We plan to get there Sunday, April 17. Tom, Jr. is due to arrive Monday and Dusty on Thursday. We're all staying until Easter Sunday, April 24.
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