Hello all.
I am sorry I have been away. It is summer you know. Maybe in the winter I can talk more. I love to see the rebuilds.
Glad all have been posting their work on such great pieces of engineering and art. I really love all the adventures."
Maybe it is time for me to catch up.
After the June trip out West to see Greg and that bunch, we stayed a little closer to home. "Everyone in their lifetime, at least once needs to camp with such a great group."
July was filled with the family trip to Lincoln S.P IN. This was the only adventure Ditto made this year. She preformed flawlessly.
5 popups and a tent. I still cooked for 7.
Late July brought a unscheduled, spur of the moment, 2 day trip to Hocking Hills S.P. OH. Dead mans Cave campground.
That was real fun. Dave had said it was always busy and could never get in. I figured I give it a shake.
The park is spread out into several sections. We toured a few before hitting the campground. Arrived at 15 min till closing. Bought wood and was given a sheet of paper of available sites for 2 days. As they were closing in 15 mins I was told to self register and drop the $ in the box.
I did as I was instructed all was good except my neighbor.
His name was Steve. A 48 yr old DJ with a pony tail. Hard to forget him as he had a 3 inch wide by 18 inch Jagermeister logo tattooed on the outside of his forearm. He was pretty cool in a way. Never gave up the life. Was camping 5 days out of his van with a 29 yr old female friend.
We had not even made camp and he was on us. He was excited. Liked the rig and told me where to hike the next day.
Offered us to party as he had Crown, Jagermeister and beer. Cynde and I politely declined his offer and to make sure everything was understood she gave him the "We don't get see much of each other. This is our date night." spiel and he smiles, gives me a wink and says have fun.
4 hr drive there. 4 hours camping and 4 hrs home. That is the nutshell of this journey. PLEASE READ ON.
Everything was working out fine. Had a great road trip into unexplored territory, made friends with the natives and had a little happy hour and a nice dinner before a hour of peaceful campfire to send us to bed at 11:45. Everything looked rosy for a nice breakfast and a little hiking the next day. So we thought.
At about 12:15 I hear a gentleman ask our next door neighbor Steve, "who is still up and having a grand time."
Who is that at my campsite. Cynde says "you hearing this" I said we're asleep. "
Steve answers, " they good people, arrived about 8 pm. Gentleman says "I paid for this site online and drove 3 hrs to get it.
Steve tells him the same advice I would give any camper at a half past midnite. "Find a site and all will be worked out in the morning."
Steve starting to look a lot smarter than he first appeared.
The gentleman left in a huff and I settled down to sleep knowing I would probably have to break camp in the early am. Little did I know.
Exactly 1/2 hr later as I am drifting off too sleep I hear another voice interrogating my neighbor who is still active at the campfire.
This is a voice of authority. Ranger Bobette. She circles my campsite with a flashlight as she talks to Steve.
I don't hide from authority. I exited the camper and asked " Ma'am, can I help you? " She starts to ask me how I came about this campsite.
I explained the instructions I had been given and she said I was misinformed. You were never entered into the system. They should have gave you a walk up site. This gentleman booked this site online and he is the rightful renter.
Booked into the system? I have a card saying I checked in at 8 pm and have $56 in a box. I am in the system.
I asked her. "who spends 28 dollars to arrive at 12:15 on a Sun night. I suspect he saw Sun open online and paid for Mon and figured he'd slip in early. Heck, I do it all the time. He just got caught and did not like setting up for a night and have to move. Such is life.
Now I know why ranger Bobette is at my doorstep. I finally looked her straight in the eye and said " you must be getting some flake from the other end of this problem to wake me up at 1 am. " She replied, "I would not have bothered you if you were sleeping. I softly chuckled, sorry ma'am the loud voices and flashlight did just fine."
I had had enough. The one great thing about a camper is it's readiness to leave in a moments notice.
I was prepared for any answer I received from my next question. " Ma'am, would it make your job a whole lot easier if I just left?"
She looked square in the eye and said "yes"
That wasn't the answer I had expected, but I was prepared. I told her we would be stuck and gone in 15 min. Cynde asked if our $ could be refunded and Bobette said yes. I informed her that would be good as I'm not quite sure I would take a check from the state of OH after this experience.
She informed me she would help me pack if I needed. Another soft chuckle and I said " We have been doing this for a long time. If you provide your flashlight we can cut 4 mins off our time.
She was amazed. She told us so at the entrance when she returned our $ and apologized. Cynde said " you should see it done in a storm for the real effect." I wished her night goes well and we will return. She looked glad I took the high road. We hoped all worked out on the other end.
Drove 4 hrs home. Gotta love Tim Hortons.
We did return. But that is another story.
Grampawsnazzy / Kevin
