It's Been Fun

It's been fun seeing my old camping buddies (Teresa, Patricia, and Jennifer) and meeting yet another for the first time (Beth). Sorry that Terri and Dixie couldn't make it. Patricia, Teresa, Molly and I just got back from a really nice trail--about 2 miles, I think.

Reed Bingham is a favorite roosting place of buzzards. A bunch of them were circling right above my head the other day--I was wondering if they were trying to tell me something or whether they were just hopeful seeing my white hair!

Ever since the screen room went up I've been thinking that it didn't look right and it certainly wasn't as big as I thought it was going to be. The gals noticed it, too, when they arrived. I was down at Teresa's site and I noticed that hers had the poles on the outside. Yep, you guessed it, I had it upside down. Now, at least I know how to do it and it really is as roomy as it was advertised. I wish (thought) I had taken a "before" picture, but I didn't--unless one of the other gals has one.

I found a "before" picture! Pretty sad looking screen room in comparison, huh? Between the screen room, fans, and Thermacells we have kept the gnats at bay.

It was fun getting to know Beth. She left today to babysit for her granddaughter. Jennifer woke up in pain, today, and I hope I'm wrong but it sounds like SI joint pain to me. The good thing is that at least they know to check the joints, now, before doing back surgery. I'm just hoping that after a day of Advil and ice, she'll be able to drive home.

I made a crock pot dinner when everyone arrived on Wednesday. It was good if I say so myself, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. If not, they were very polite and didn't say otherwise. I have two good size sinks so it makes cleanup easier than it used to be, but I think I'd rather have one big sink. 

Teresa and Molly arrived first (late morning). I love Molly. She was the youngest of all the dogs when we first started camping. She's 13, now, and such a wonderful soul, and Teresa is a wonderful friend.

 

We wrap Molly up by the fire in the evenings. I had a blanket for Jack that is very special to me, and I wouldn't let anyone but Molly use it. I brought it to the cabin near Lake Eufaula when T and I met for a weekend a while back. Molly has a raised bed and doesn't like the cold so I love to see her wrapped up in it.

Last night we went to the Catfish house for dinner. It's a restaurant that is practically in the campground. The food was good--had sweet potatoes chips (fries) which I loved. My stuffed flounder was good, but a little cold. We had the sweetest waitress. Her name was Kaitie (spelled correctly). She took a picture of us. From left to right (Teresa, Patricia, Beth, Jennifer, and me). Kills me when people are photogenic. My eyes look like I'm straight out of one of those zombie movies! LOL - I rarely take a good picture.

We have enjoyed a fire each evening, catching up on who's been doing what and remembering good times from the past. I, sometimes, find it so hard to believe that Rich never knew these women.

Patricia took this picture. It got down into the 40s, but we've all been around campfires in much colder weather. The campground filled up, today, because of the holiday. Still, it's very quiet.

This is the extent of my wildlife sightings this trip.

You can see this tree has had a lot of visits from woodpeckers. They do controlled burns to prevent fires, here. North Georgia is having a time with fires, the smoke extending all the way down to near where I live. I think the worst of them is where my sons each owned cabins a few years ago.

Teresa said this is a duck box. I've never seen one before. This is the river where the kayak tour was supposed to take place last weekend. Some of the water was covered with leaves and debris, but some was like the second--black water. The reflection of the trees showed up well.

Along the walk, which is partially boardwalk, there were places where people can sit and rest and just enjoy the wildlife. We only saw turtles, today. I hope to walk it, again, tomorrow.

Many of the women in the Yahoo group (that I belong to) camp in Aframes because it was started by women who only camped in Aframes. I started out in one, but I just couldn't get organized, especially with two big dogs. I believe I was the first to buy another kind of trailer, then quite a few others followed suit--some with Class C's and I think some with Class A's. This is Patricia's Aliner. They are all unique and many decorated and made into very comfortable and homey spaces with all the comforts of home. I thought I took a picture of Beth's (her site was further away), but I can't find it. She had two cute little pups. One was Kramer and the other Maddie. (Not sure about spelling)

Teresa

 This picture was taken on our hike.

This is the other "wild life" that we saw along the way. You can see how different the water is than in the pictures, above.

Teresa's son and grandson are arriving tonight. The little guy is 7 and all excited about camping in "Omi's" camper. Sean, believe it or not, is going to sleep outside in a hammock. Oh, to be young, again!

This week has passed very quickly--hate to see it end. We all get along so well and have so much fun. I am ready for bed so not doing such a great job writing, but I want to have this memory to look back on.