Waterloo Review

 photo link

2023 Waterloo

Knowing this was a short trip and such a quick turnaround from WV, there wasn't much to pack besides food and clothes.  That made it easy to do but getting there was brutal.  Our RV garmain took us on a 2 mile dirt road.  This made no sense to us since it has our specs and we are driving an RV not an off-road vehicle.   Then driving through this area had a lot of low hanging trees that kept beating the top of the RV and broke one of our vent fan covers. Nothing else was damaged, thankfully. 

The time there was fun. the crew went kayaking, then all of us went for a 3 mile hike and then most of the time was hanging around the campsite. Not too shabby for his birthday.  Yeah it rained that night but it didn't matter since we ate dinner early and prepped for the incoming rain.  It made for an early night and the start of packing.  

As noted from the last post, the RV had the same high voltage issue.  Hopefully we can get this checked and fixed soon.  

Otherwise, we are not going back to this campground unless there is no other option.  They need to trim those low hanging trees especially with the rigs and getting damaged by limbs. Just lousy!

Using the power of remembering....

 So I forgot to put in entry for August 15th (late night 14th) because I got caught up packing up everything.  On Monday evening, after dinner, it started raining but luckily the guys put the drinking tent and eating tent away. Added a few more logs to the hot fire and get ready for the rain.  It wasn't that big of a deal considering there was a flood watch in our area.  Anywho, we sang happy birthday to John and had banana pudding with a couple of fresh baked cookies. After that, the party dispersed.  The packing and getting ready for leaving the next morning is always a busy time.  

So the next morning, 15th, the inside is swept and the slides are pulled in and John went to start the RV up and it did the same thing as the WV trip.  High voltage and would not allow shifting gears.  He fiddled with the connections and got her going but then, as we found out in the storage lot, the low hanging trees broke our vent fan cover. I can safely say we are not going back to that campground.  

We made it home with not so much stuff (short and easy trip) and relaxed.  

Today (16th), there is laundry to do and probably something else. But just glad to be home

A presto!

A quiet birthday

 Happy Birthday, John!

It’s the old man’s birthday today and the day has started out very gloomy.  It is supposed to rain today so it may be a low key kind of day but at least yesterday they did a few things.

 All 3 of them kayaked a small pond.  They were back in less than 2 hours.  I was surprised to see them back so soon. Then the boys took their kayaks to a different pond and hit that for a few hours.  Stacy and I just hung around, talked and read.  Yes!  When the guys came back, we road up to the discovery area and hiked a 3 mile trail in the woods.  Even Zeke did it!  I was getting worried with him but he pushed on.  Needless to say, he’s a tired pup this morning.  After that hike, I had taco meat warmed up and it was whatever kind of taco food you want type of dinner.  Speaking of that, for brunch, Stacy made us Ruebens!  Oh my gosh, they were soooo good!!!!  Ok, back to the evening, the ladies had s’mores and I ended up going to bed early and pretty much everyone did.  Oh we also discovered we had LED lights on our awning!  NEAT!!!

 Ok, coffee is ready and I have the feed the hounds.

 

A presto!

Friends and trains

 I got to sleep in a little this morning!  YAY!  Anywho, yesterday things…

 A typical wake up of the group starts about 10 with breakfast and the “Bullshittery” of what the guys did late night.  I don’t know and don’t want to know.  After a while, Bill, Stacy,  John and Buckley went for a 2 mile hike. Then the boys went out to get firewood and then the laziness started!  Snacking on homemade jerky thanks to Eric and then dinner …again, thanks to Eric!

As the night progressed, we had a beautiful clear night and wanted to see Starlink’s train. Just before we saw that, an awesome meteor swooped by with a very long, bright tail!  Then the train started and it was neat that all of us got to share in that experience. 

Then, it was time for bed because it was almost 10:30pm and the skeeters were getting a free meal!

Today Eric is packing and going home and I think the crew is going for a kayak ride.  This means I finally get a moment to read! YAY!

Now the dogs are fed, I’m sipping on coffee and soon we will have to go on our morning walk. So far the start of a beautiful day!

 

A presto!

Turn and Burn, baby!

 Welcome to Waterloo!  I think we found out why we don’t camp here too much.  There is a 2 mile dirt road (and narrow) to follow to get to camp.  It’s ok if you are just a car/truck driving it but when you  have an RV, well it’s a different story.  Needless to say, we drove it, through the rain.  Then last night we had a tornado warning and the ranger told us where the shelter was located.  That was a first.  Otherwise, an easy night.  Eric met us up there…well he booked the first night on Thursday and he wasn’t ready so he came up Friday morning. 

 So today, I am not sure what is going on but I don’t have to cook!  YAY! It’s looking like a nice morning. No drone pictures this trip.  I am just having a quiet, relaxing time this weekend.

 Coffee, walk and pictures!

A presto!

West Virginia Wrap-up

 First, the link to pictures

2023 WV trip

Overall, the trip was fun and busy.  I am not a big fan of being busy since I do like a lazy day to catch my breath but oh well.  Life!  We left about 6:30am and arrive at Gilbert, WV about 4pm with one stop for lunch.  The ride was comfy but the roads really suck!  Even with this rig, it bounced it around in a few areas.  The boys did ok with traveling.  We have retired Zeke from off-roading since it makes him very nervous but Buckley doesn't seem to care.  He slept through most of it. 

Camping at Twin Hollows was different.  We had our own corner and we were loud at times. Lisa and Chris were so much fun to camp with and made it super low key with lots of conversation! I also got to use my washer/dryer! I extended this luxury to our family to have clean undergarments and Lisa took that opportunity.  It is a long way down the hill and if she need a few items, why not let others give it a try! I love it! Only thing is that we have to have full hook up or we use our tanks and that is not good.  Most of the time we don't camp that long but with the heat, mud, rain and mud puddles,.. it came in handy!

The reunion was good.  I didn't have time to take pictures because we had both of the dogs with us.  It didn't seem many were taking pictures but oh well.  It was bloody hot that day too so I did my best to keep Zeke comfortable.  

We had our first SxS adventure and that was fun and different.  It has no windshield and there were lots of twists and turns. After a while, it was becoming boring until we saw a big puddle ahead and told John to do it and he did!  We were soaked but it was so much fun!  (Remember that washer/dryer...yeah it came in handy!).  It woke me up! 

The last jeep adventure the boys tried their skill on some black trails but I didn't see how they were difficult.  Maybe the steepness?  There weren't many rocky areas for flexing.  There were shelf roads but you couldn't see them because of the trees and vegetation. It doesn't matter, still was fun. And Mr. Buckley just slept through it all.  

Our ride home started at 11 (Check out time) but our rig was throwing error codes. Checked a few areas, tighten up a couple of areas and she was ready to go.  Just weird!

We had a gas stop and had some McDs, drove a few hours and stopped in Sandusky Milan RV Park for the night. It was like a KOA and had a dog area for the boys to run around, which they did NOT. We left there around 9am and drove back to the lot, about 11:30am. Packed up our stuffs and ourselves and arrived home about noon-ish. 

Today is laundry and getting the house organized and ready for Waterloo in 4 days!  Nothing like a quick turnaround! This won't be a long drive but I digress. 

Anywho, that was our trip.  I know I left a few things out but that's what happens. I think we are going to start doing more out of state camping since we did almost everything in Michigan. Well, gotta get that laundry done and what not.

Friday, part 2

 So I am going to discuss our day today since we have to pack up in the morning and time is limited.

Today we did a few jeep trails and did a couple of “hard” ones.  I think it was “hard” because of the twisty-turnies and ups/downs.  Other than that, meh!  We left Zeke at the camper and later Lisa/Chris got him out and hung with them.  He also got a walk.  We got home about 7 and had meatball subs.  Good day overall.  I wish I had more time to sit and read.  I may do that during the drive home. As for that, we may stop in the middle of the drive and take a break before heading home.  Just means I don’t have to clean up as much. 

 

Coffee and packing I go!

A presto!

It's Friday, Bitches!

 Happy Friday, Bitches!

 Yesterday we went to the coal miner’s exhibit and did the tour too.  Then drove home on the twisty turny roads.  The drive there was about an hour and it rained the whole time.  When arrived back at camp and I made steak tacos/fajitas.  That was really good! Then just the usual campfire chatting.  I didn’t make it in until 1:30am.          

Today is our 17^th anniversary.  Not that it matters but some trivia for you.  The boys are thinking another trail (UGH) today but we will leave Zeke home and he will get a bully stick to enjoy on his own.  Other than that, no clue what else is going on

It’s coffee o’clock and I still need to get the boys out too. 

A presto!

Rain, Rain, Rain

 Finally a day I slept in! It’s raining-ish outside.  I can’t tell if it is a high humidity or actual rain.  Good day to have an off day!

So yesterday we spent the whole day riding ATV and went to see landscapes, waterfalls and a cemetery.  We left about 10:30 and arrived back at camp about 4:30pm.  The boys were left for that long with a crockpot of camping spaghetti (AKA crockpot lasagna).  It was an early night for me so I don’t know what everyone else did.  I was tired from the full day outside. When I do my camping review, I will have a link for pictures and you can see some of the pictures of these trails and what we saw.  Overall it was fun and ATVs are loud.

 Today I am making sausage gravy/biscuits.  I think it’s a low key day but I cannot be sure.  I don’t know what are anyone’s plans.

 So for now, coffee then a dog walk and a good day to read or drink!

A presto!

Our first SxS adventure!

 

Yesterday we took the Jeeps to Bear Wallow trail.  We took the easy trails since we had the dogs and we weren’t sure what to expect.  Overall, it was very pretty.  It was like the Colorado Mountains but you are covered with trees.  Lots of shelves roads, bumpy areas and twisty turnies.  It was also when we found that this is Zeke’s last trail ride.  He was not comfortable, made me crazy with his heavy panting. It was too much on him to deal with.  So if we do go back out tomorrow or Friday, he is staying put.  Buckley, on the other hand, he didn’t even mind it.  He just laid down, smelled the air and just enjoyed the ride.  Now I don’t know how he will react if Zeke is not there but I guess we will find out. 

 

Today we rented sidexsides and Chris/Lisa are taking us along for the ride.  The boys are picking them up at 9am.  Lunches will be made and the pups are staying home.  I know I will have to bug spray before we take off.  My arms are covered with bites. 

Oh and last night I used our washer/dryer to do a couple of loads.  That was really nice to have the laundry bag empty and not worry about clothes.  Very nice addition to our camping but that can only happen with full hookups.  I think Lisa may do a load today after we get back.  She seemed interested.  I extended it to Stacy as well if she wanted clean undies or whatever.  I am very happy to have this luxury!

 Anywho, going to finish up my coffee, take the pups for a walk and get ready for our SxS adventure!

 

A Presto!

Bear Wallow Jeeping

 

Happy August!

Yesterday we road around town and showed them Chief Logan Park with its museum and wildlife zoo. Took them around the twisty turny roads too.  When we arrived back at camp, his folks, Donna and Sheri were all sitting around Lisa’s site.  John gave them a tour of our camper.  My knee has become swollen yesterday.  I think it is a combination of weather and keeping my knee in one position for too long.  Oh well, it is what it is.  I also stayed up until 11:30pm.I was falling asleep in my chair by the fire. zzzzz

 

Today we are doing Bear wallow for the Jeep Badge.  We are also filling out paperwork for a permit to ride ATV.  That’ll be neat too!  The pups will have to stay home for that.  Speaking of pups, we did leave them at home yesterday and they did well again!  YAY! Today’s trip will be too long for them to stay home and also, this may be the last decent day.  There looks like a rain system coming in tomorrow at some point. 

 Anywho, it is coffee time and somehow walk (hobble) the dogs for their morning poop.

 

A presto!