Local Camping
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
It’s always good to “shop local” & we decided to extend that mindset to “camp local” for a week. We restocked Wilbur after our last trip & hit the road – all of 15 minutes worth of road – to Ft Yargo State Park. We were hoping to snag a lake front site as those are our favorite-the water & birds are both beautiful. Unfortunately, there are only a few of those locations & others must have had the same idea. <sigh> We picked another site that was equally wonderful (without the water view though) that had a great tree canopy & was roomy. It was probably the easiest set up we have had to date & that is saying a lot. Our 30 minute set-up was done in 20 minutes!
We had lunch & then proceeded to “enhance” our campsite since we would be there for a whole week. We had recently bought a really nice 6-man tent (that’s sort of funny because I can’t imagine 6 men being comfortable in that thing) that our son & family can use when they come camping. The manufacturer claimed it would set up in 90 seconds. Well, it DID! It’s extremely sturdy & literally clicked together without issue. WOW! Of course, the ropes & ground hooks still had to be hammered down which took another 10 minutes or so but, it’s still a WIN! The kids wouldn’t be using it this trip but we wanted to see how easy it was to set up. Next we set up our new picnic pavilion canopy (I have no idea what it’s actually called but, because that’s what we will be using it for, that’s what I’m calling it). It had a claim of a 3 minute set up. HA! Not in a long shot. It’s very study, too, & perhaps on future trips it will be easier. This time though, we had to attach the canvas top to the frame (that will stay on permanently just like our festival tent top) & then figure out the screen sides, etc. It was getting down right HOT outside so we took a break & relaxed a bit in the air conditioned Wilbur. Glamping. It’s the thing!
We completed the picnic pavilion once the temperature cooled & then hung some tiny little twinkle lights around the perimeter (inside). The lights even have a remote control & looked perfect! The picnic tables at the campsites in Ft Yargo are WAY long though so ours filled the space without much room to move around. Oh well, it’ll be fine for dinning.
For dinner we had Kickin’ Chicken on the grill, onion bombs, asparagus & salad. YUM! Camp cooking always tastes so good!
We walked the campground with the pups, watched a little TV & then climbed into bed for a peaceful night of sleep.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
7am came too early but the pups needed a potty break. Of course, I slept better than at home. For some reason I occasionally wake at 3am & have trouble getting back to sleep. But, when camping, I sleep longer & better than ever. It’s great!
I wasn’t able to make Cloud Bread to bring along as my hand mixer broke right at the end the last time I made it & I forgot to replace it. So, breakfast was a slice of bacon, a chicken sausage & an egg. No bread which isn’t so bad really.
Perry had checked the weather just after we arrived in camp & said it would be sunny the whole week. Not so! The clouds were moving in & getting darker as the morning progressed. We moved the camp chairs & fan into the new picnic pavilion & settled inside as the bottom fell out & a deluge of rain came down. It was a HARD rain for nearly an hour but no lightning or thunder accompanied it so Spice was okay.
Once the rain stopped we had to get out & take a walk around the park again. The camp host was set up only a couple sites away. The wife (assumption here) brought back funny memories for me when I saw her with huge plastic rollers in her hair. When we saw her later, her hair was as straight as ever so maybe they don’t work?
We did a minor repair on the grill handle – just like at home – a little maintenance here & there. We checked on the picnic pavilion only to find out it is NOT waterproof or even resistant! I just assumed the canvas roof was but it does not claim to be on the logo or on the packaging. Just weird. It is simply a shade cover. Note to self: Do not put the chairs or fan in the picnic tent thinking they will stay dry during rain. SHEESH! The new camping tent IS waterproof though & held up perfectly. That’s a relief!
I made some cornbread for Perry – never made it before because I personally do not like it. I followed the package directions exactly. Tasted just as bad as I remember although Perry said it was good. I used a cast iron corn pone pan & we had to dig the sticks out. Hurumph!
We went home to get showers & check on cats & mail. Then we picked Lily up at camp & took her to dance class – her mom met us there with her costume. She was so happy to have play time with the pups in the back seat & glad Spice jumped in her lap for a long cuddle. Usually it’s Sugar all over her. Sugar did give Lily the stink eye since she was feeling rejected. Silly pups!
Back at camp I served up freezer to crockpot Shipwreak & a salad. Perry cleaned up the dishes & then we went over to Publix for bread for our morning breakfast. A long walk with the pups, a little TV & then it was lights out. Another day making memories – simple as they are, we are thankful for them.
Thursday, August 25, 2016
The usual morning routine was handled without a hitch & then we ran home for a bit – showers, check the mail, etc. A friend came by to visit while we were there & I got to have a long phone visit with a dear friend who needed some moral support.
Back at the campground, we watched a movie, spent some time enjoying the beautiful afternoon & watching as more campers came in for the weekend. One couple stopped by for a lengthy visit (this is pretty normal at campgrounds – the friendliest people around). They inquired about the fencing we have for the pups as they have a small dog who loves to be outdoors, too. I directed them to Amazon as it is where I got ours. They took a look inside Wilbur &, although theirs is a few feet longer, it doesn’t have a bumpout or Murphy bed which, they said, made ours more roomy. They are actually Camp Hosts for the month at Ft Yargo so I asked lots of questions about the gig. Sounds VERY interesting – something worth further research.
I made another batch of the cornbread but incorporated a couple suggestions from friends who commented on my FaceBook post about my first failed attempt. I’m proud to say trial number two was perfect! I still don’t like it but Perry said it was JUST like his mom made when he was a boy. Here’s the recipe & directions. Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat the cast iron pan (in my case it was a square cast iron skillet & a corn pone mold) with butter. Let it heat as you make the batter. Beat a large egg in a bowl. Add 1 cup cornmeal, ½ cup flour, 1 cup buttermilk, ½ cup softened butter, & 2 tbls vegetable oil. Mix well & spoon batter into the HOT molds & skillet. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 – 25 minutes. Insert a toothpick in the center of the pan. If it comes out clean, it’s done. If not, give it a couple more minutes. Immediately turn the cornbread out on paper towels or a plate. Use extreme caution as cast iron is HOT. I burnt my palm & it immediately developed a blister. Fortunately, I had some of my Herbal Salve in my medicine cabinet & it deflated that blister in seconds as well as took the burn out. That was it! Another addition to my camp cooking abilities!
After a dinner of Asian Seasoned Pork Chops, Cheesy Yellow Squash, Asparagus & Salad, we went on a LONG walk through the park. A short stop to talk to the camp host & their friends was good, too. I love that fellow campers are so social! Life is good!
Friday, August 27, 2016
I sure do wish the morning would have started better. Sugar decided to pee on the darn bed when I got up to go potty at 6am. I guess she had to go even more. GRRRRR! So off came the sheets, etc. & a major dust storm ensued. We shall not go into details here but know Sugar understood completely that she was in hot water all day long.
After breakfast we went home to wash bedding which took FOREVER! I made a couple products for my Sweet Tea’s Soaps & Stuff special orders & got those off in the mail & took care of a little other business. We did grocery shopping &, when we returned to the house (laundry took FOREVER), I prepped the celery, carrots, steaks & roasts we planned to serve the next two nights so I wouldn’t have to do it in Wilbur.
Back at the campsite, I made salad, fresh green beans, corn, & baked potatoes in preparation of Robby, Lisa & Lily coming to dinner. Perry grilled the steaks & we had a delicious meal & lots of laughter. The younger Bartons left at about 8pm & we settled in with a movie for a bit.
I fell asleep hoping my wayward little brat of a dog would behave. I did take the pups water up at 8pm & they went out for a walk at about 10pm. I did get up in the night & take Sugar out “just in case”. Good thing we love that fur baby.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
The morning ritual of lying in the bed, sipping coffee & snuggling pups (after they had their initial potty break) was nice. It was sad, though, when Robby called to say he was taking his sweet Bella to the vet – it was time. I got Bella as a pup for Robby when he was a Senior in High School. He took her to Valdosta when he went to collage the following year & I think Bella is what attracted Lisa to Robby initially. Not really but Lisa has loved Bella just as much as Robby has since day one of their courtship. So, when the two moved back to Statham, Bella was always part of the equation. Her health has declined drastically over the last year &, although one of the saddest decisions we can make, Robby loved her enough to let her go. Breaks my heart to see my kids cry.
Robby & Lisa brought Lily back to camp & to spend the night with us at about noon & then left pretty quickly as I’m sure their hearts were hurting & tears were threatening to spill over. Lily initiated the conversation about Bella going to Heaven & we talked a little about the Rainbow Bridge & Bella playing as if she was a young pup again, having her favorite treats & how she will be there to greet Lily when she goes to Heaven, too. Kids are so resilient. She was honestly okay with that as long as she was assured Bella was not sick or hurting or lonely.
I made Lily her favorite lunch – noodles with butter & sprinkle cheese. While she was eating, I made a batch of brownies which I cooked in my square cast iron pan in Wilbur’s oven. They tasted great but I do believe they should have cooked another 5 or 10 minutes. I’m still learning & experimenting with both the oven & cast iron.
I loaded lots of new potatoes, carrots & 2 big roasts in my large cast iron Dutch Oven. Then I added a cup of Worchetershire & a whole container of beef broth. Perry started a HOT fire & put the Dutch Oven in to cook. I was concerned about fire still active instead of hot coals but that’s the way he felt it whould work to make it just right. Hummmm.
Perry ran back to our house to check on the cats, take a shower & pick up the mail while Lily & I hung out. I slipped out to his fire shortly after he left & took a peak in the pot. It was a charred mess! I lifted it off the fire & let it cool &, when Perry got back to camp, I tested the center of the meat (the outer portion was cooked as hard as a rock). It was awful! This was our first attempt of open fire cooking & we sure screwed that up. Take two, three or ten should be better. Meanwhile, Perry ran over to Publix for steaks & I cooked up some broccoli & made a salad for our expected guests later on.
Stanley Rogers came out to see us & so did Chris & Suzy Humble. We all had a good laugh at the mess in the Dutch Oven. Best to laugh & not cry. The second choice dinner was perfect & we finished it with the brownies I made earlier & Smores over the fire for Lily. Good times with good friends & lots of laughter.
Little did we know at the time, Statham was experiencing a terrible event. Seems one of the Statham Officers had initiated a traffic stop &, when it was discovered the driver had an outstanding warrant, he attempted to arrest her. She took off with the officer hanging to the car door. When he fell off, she ran over his legs & took off. He was taken to the hospital & later released with bumps & bruises & orders to follow up with his doctor on Monday. The car the perpetrator was driving was recovered a short time later but the driver had again fled the scene. That young lady was in a heap of trouble! Thank goodness the officer will recover completely. Sure does show what serious danger our officers are faced with no warning as they serve & protect each of us daily.
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Waking up with a squirming, giggly little girl is just precious. The Humbles had brought Lily some Frozen themed hot chocolate pods for our coffee maker & she was so excited to have her first cup. Then we snuggled with Pops & the pups for a little while, had breakfast & got dressed. We drove over to the park beach so Lily could dip her toes in the water & kick sand. Robby & Lisa showed up early to get her & we had a great, but short, visit before they left for lunch.
Perry & I went back to our house for showers & to wash our stinky pups. That was a very fortuitous visit as we discovered our fridge had stopped working. The stuff in the freezer was just beginning to thaw so I got it put into the big freezer & all the stuff in the fridge I was able to transfer to the little fridge in The Soap Studio. After showers we went shopping for a new refrigerator & picked one out to be delivered upon our return. We KNEW the fridge was on the decline as it had been clicking & groaning for months so I had been careful of not stocking it completely for just this reason. The new one should be bigger & better.
I’m hoping the belief all things happen in threes is true as this is our third house problem in the last 2 weeks. When we returned from our long trip a couple weeks before, we discovered our air conditioner was in need of servicing. It was not pumping cold air & needed some serious cleaning & a Freon charge. Thank goodness for Steve Walter at Walters Heat & Air for his quick service. The second thing that hit us when we returned was the VERY large water bill we received while gone. We had a leak directly under the house that was undetected. We called a local plumber who came right out & fixed THREE streaming leaks. No telling what our water bill will be in a couple weeks as most of that wasted water will show up as charges. Our responsibility & we will pay it without a fuss. <sigh>
Back at the campsite the air was filled with delicious smells from Wilbur. I had put a roast in the little crockpot before we left for the day. We watched a little TV & then enjoyed a super moist & tender roast, leftover green beans, broccoli & salad. After a long walk around the park with the pups we had a little leftover cobbler, too. Leftovers can be awesome!
Monday, August 29, 2016
I woke up at 6:30 – just getting light but too early to get up & wake Perry. So I did a little FaceBook therapy for an hour or so – keeping an eye on the happenings in Statham & the resolution of the police incident a couple days before. The officer is recovering nicely, thankful he has a great community behind him, but the young lady had not been apprehended yet.
Perry took the pups for a walk when he got up & then we watched Good Morning America, sipped coffee & loved on the pups as we were propped up in the bed. It’s good to start the morning off in this easy, relaxed way. I timed myself putting the beds away & converting out little home on wheels from a bedroom into a living room. It took me all of 8 minutes, 45 seconds to make the bed, slide the air mattress on top, fold the blankets & lift everything into the wall. Also, pull the couch up, cover it & get the dinette table set back up. So easy! I do love our little Wilbur!
The Camp Host for our section of the park pulled out & sounded his air horn as a farewell. That was cool. Another couple arrived with their brand new 5th Wheel an hour or so later & spent all day getting set up. Perry helped the husband get his grill off his trailer & set up. He talked to them about their adventures. They had decided to try full time camping & actually rented out their home for two years. They have their two dogs, a pet rabbit & a bird & are acting as Camp Hosts at various state parks now. Pretty neat! The volunteers for Ft Yargo are the best!
We had breakfast & then took down the tent & picnic pavilion so the following morning would be a quick get-away. The tent came down just as easily as it was to put up but getting it into its carry case was a trick! It was like a giant busted can of biscuits. How did it grow in just a few days?!? We wrestled it to submission & zipped it in & then both of us collapsed into a heap of sweat. The picnic pavilion was so much easier!
The rest of the day was simply for relaxing & enjoying the moment. I made Stroganoff in the crockpot, yellow squash, zucchini & asparagus for dinner. No salad. We ran out of lettuce & tomatoes the day before & I didn’t want to get more since I wouldn’t have a home fridge in my kitchen until Friday. I rather missed my daily salad.
A long walk with the pups & reading finished off our day.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
A morning walk with the pups, stripping the beds, breakfast & then it was time to pack up for departure. I had driven my car to the park the day before so I could leave before Perry once everything was cleaned & secured. He stayed behind to do the dump station thing while I got home to clean up the house before the cleaning ladies arrived. CRAZY, I know <sigh> They do an outstanding job with deep cleaning but I don’t want them to have to straighten up anything on top of that so I get sheets washed (they make the beds) & things put away before they come. I also had to get the trash out to the ally since we forgot to do that the day before & Tuesday is trash day.
Perry arrived with Wilbur & I helped him get it backed in & parked. Then I left him to it so I could get back to my chores. When he got done we moved the old refrigerator out to the front porch (that was a comedy scene in itself) so the ladies could give the area it ocuppied in the kitchen a good scrubbing. The new fridge will be delivered on Friday & the old one will leave with the delivery people. Meanwhile, I feel a need to put a couch out there & use the fridge to store beer for easy access as I watch traffic pass-by. If you see me doing this, just wave or shake your head & smile.
We had a great time on our excursion – Ft Yargo is always awesome. Now to hunker down & get on with upcoming Fall Festivals & store needs over the next few months!
Not all who wander are lost.