The Big Bird's Little Trip Report

[BRDof3...Rob 40]

Finally, good weather for camping this weekend. I took 2 of the 3 kids out to the KOA Friday afternoon, and the 3rd one joined us Saturday after a 4H overnight.

The weather was perfect- mid 80's during the afternoon, plenty of sun, enough breeze to stay cool. And no rain. The kids hit the pool, but it was still too cold for this old man. I lasted about 15 minutes.

I volunteer at this CG, so they give me the site free when I come out. The kids help with some of their activities and deliver pizzas, I help with check-ins and escorts, and walk security rounds after quiet hours. Between this, mini golf, the pool, the jumping pillow, shuffleboard, card games and the playground, the kids kept busy. The only thing that keeps it from being camping Nirvanna is the lack of a nearby lake for fishing. Oh well, can't have it all.

Since the weather was finally something other than chilly and wet, I got to use my Christmas present for the first time. My wife got me a small portable gas grill that folds up and stores in the pass-through storage on the camper. I can report that the burgers were just perfect.

You get to meet some cool characters doing this. Last year I checked in 3 guys from Italy. They were touring the country in a rented class C- New York to Cali to Baltimore in 6 weeks- before starting grad school back home. They had to work a bit to talk with me, but we got most of it understood. This Friday it was a couple of guys from Ireland doing much the same thing, except they were ending up in Orlando to see the mouse before leaving. They were also doing it in a tent. They have my admiration trying that trip in a tent all the way. They told me that they landed in Boston, where they added several new friends to Facebook. They left just before the tornados hit. They were just happy that all their new friends could be accounted for. Needless to say, the 20% chance of rain Friday night didn't exactly have them worried.

I had my fill of trailer towing this weekend. My brother called Saturday, needing help to get his trailer out of its storage lot. They store it close to the river, near the AFB. According to my brother, the base is estimating that at least a 4th of the runway could be underwater in the next few days. This storage area would be completely submerged if that happened. Since my brother had back surgery last week, he couldn't do anything about the trailer. As soon as I got mine home this afternoon, I set the kids in Clean mode, and went to get my brother's. His wife and I got the trailer home, but he got short-changed on the storage area he thought he could use. Right now the trailer is sitting at their curb. I'll get it towed as soon as he confirms the new spot.

So much for my little camping adventures this weekend. Now, back to our regularly scheduled life.

[Otter Spotter aka Debbie 58]

You seem to have have worked out a nice deal with the KOA. Sounds like there is plenty of things to keep the kids happy and occupied.

Meeting people is one of the best things about camping, isn't it? That's one of the reasons we go to the Fort for day trips so often. It's fun to sit on the porch and strike up conversations with people. It's also a bonus when I run into one of the fiends!! :dance:

Good for you helping out your brother that way!! We had to rely on the "pity" of our next door neighbor 2 weeks ago. Two of the house batteries in our motor home fried. Rick couldn't lift them out due to just having TKR surgery. I couldn't lift them out because they weigh 68 lbs, each. It's a bummer to have stuff like that happen when you're down and out. I hope your brother recovers quickly from his surgery. I certainly hope (1) his storage place does NOT go under water and (2) he can find a safe place to store his TT.

Glad you and the family had such a nice weekend. Hope there are more ahead for you this summer!

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Sounds like a great weekend, Rob. How long have you been volunteering at the KOA? How far is it from your home?

[BRDof3...Rob 40]

Sounds like a great weekend, Rob. How long have you been volunteering at the KOA? How far is it from your home?

It takes me about 20 minutes door-to-door, without the trailer. I started working last year. My kids love camping there, and I decided to ask if they would trade campsites for work hours. So far it's worked out pretty good.

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

Sounds like a great trade off. :banana:

[dblr....Rennie 224]

Can you let us know which KOA as we are always looking another good campground, maybe we can get lucky and it's close to home.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

That's a sweet camping deal, right there!

The people we bought our first camper from years ago were retired and traveled the country work-camping. They usually got their site for free, and depending on the campground, could even earn a little $ too. Most of the jobs they did were working in the office, store, helping out with minor maintenance projects, etc.

DH would pack the TT and leave today to do this. I told him if we sell EVERYTHING else (house, camp, a couple of stray cars)... DONE!!

Glad you had a great weekend!

[Just Whipperwhirl 24]

Another 4-H Mom - how wonderful. Thanks fo sharing your trip report!

[kampfirekim 260]

Sweet deal! I wish we had a CG close enough to us for that kind of arrangement. The closest ones to us are around and hours drive. Just far enough to make it hard to volunteer.