Well ....

[Thumper]

We finally got the new water heater installed yesterday and most of the flood cleaned up ... so I've decided to rely on a stress reliever. We loaded up the motor home and are headed out for a few days. Will be back Sunday. My buddy, the service manager for the local BMW dealer, called and told me a site opened right next door to them (they've been there since Thursday), so we snagged it and will be headed out for some R&R. His site looks ok, so he's about to get some company. ;)

13052

[Chicken Dinner]

Enjoy!


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[Thumper]

Will do. We've been close buddies for 33 years and always find a way to get in trouble when together, so it should be a trying week for the wives. ;)

Waiting for Lynn to get back from the store with a few last minute items, then we're out'ta here. I'm soooo ready!

[Bwana]

I can't wait to get back to camping again my own self. Enjoy Jim!

[Thumper]

Dang! We snagged a beautiful spot. Perfect weather. Great company and a nice break from the responsibilities of daily life at home. I’m in a nice wooded area and have spotted critters in the morning/evening. There are a bazillion nature trails leading to probably a half dozen lakes within walking distance. Looks like a fisher person paradise. We can’t see the water from the site, but it’s all around us. Tons of gators and I quit counting at around 12-13. It’s so quiet and peaceful here you can hear your heart beating.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220323/b3b2dc776d3e908e7a47150bd59048d3.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220323/50e6408a0ee429bde7682c0527886f8a.jpg

And here’s the view out of both sides, the galley window as well as the dinette window. Nice view whether you’re cooking or eating.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220323/cc7d7efe305b3f147e939e53543ad01c.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220323/5cdfe0f2d3d3cf0d1b43370a4bf8482f.jpg


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[Bwana]

Where are you at Thump?

[Thumper]

Believe it or not, it’s just a little county park about 30-mins. from the house. After the water heater fiasco, I needed a break and just wanted to get away. My buddy and his wife were already camped here, so we came out to join them. Their house is only 20-mins. from here, so they’re more local than we are! ;)

[Bwana]

We did a camping trip like that so close to home a number of years ago and I can remember sitting around the campfire telling my wife how silly it was since we could drive 20 minutes home where I could sleep in my own bed. She proceeded to ask what I would be doing if we were at home, to which I replied that I would undoubtedly be working on something. She said, "Exactly, which is why we are here and not at home!"

Sometimes a short trip has a big upside.

Enjoy yourselves!

[Thumper]

I totally understand Bwana. My buddy’s wife is retired, but he still works. He only gets so many vacation days and those are filled with regular, annual trips, so they often camp locally for the same reason, if at home, he’d always be working on something that needs taken care of. He gets up every morning and goes to work from here, then comes back after work. She stays and reads (or now, visits with us). It works for them and he can totally relax when he gets here after work instead of having to face issues that may have popped up at home. Note: Don’t tell anybody, but he has a … ummm, “dentist appointment” ;) tomorrow afternoon, so he’s leaving work after lunch and will have until Sunday before we head out of here.

[Hombre]

For years on father's day my gift was the family going camping with me. We always went to a place on the river that was 20 minutes from the house. They (family) always asked why we never went further away, why didn't we go to the coast or up in the mountains. They always assumed I just liked the place, because it was secluded and we could camp right on the rivers edge. I did like all of those things. But, one night sitting around the camp fire the real reason came out. One of the kids said maybe if we picked a new location there would be some sort of cell service. This place was an absolute dead zone, you couldn't get a single bar, as soon as you were there you didn't need to worry about work because there was no option to look at email, or get a call. The kids didn't even try their phones because there was no signal. I loved the fact that once it wasn't an option we all kind of shed the need to look at our phones and good conversation, just enjoying nature became a thing. I don't think it matters how far you go, if you get separation from the things in life that distract you from connecting.

[Thumper]

Amen!

[Bwana]

Great thinking Hombre!

We used to do a family camping trip with 4 other families in the ND badlands every June where cell service was spotty at best. That being said, the weekend was always designated a no-cell-phone weekend for the reasons you mentioned.

Good stuff

[Thumper]

I guess it’s back to the same old drag today. I really hated checking out yesterday afternoon. I think next time, I’ll definitely be taking some fishing gear. I only saw ONE boat on the lakes the whole week there, but there’s plenty of bank fishing as well as numerous docks.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220328/93e361d07523468a1c816add6f9a1926.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220328/330f8f582905e341d56325f6badecc3e.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220328/9e0bde3a09d4180af803c69f69c02685.jpg

Oh, and there are plenty of these little dinosaurs lying around to keep the Yankees away. [emoji1787] (hard to see as he was across the inlet from me, about an 8-9 footer maybe)

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220328/a448ec3c9c8b1aaafbe2fd4e20a735aa.jpg


All in all, we had a great time with a couple of very dear friends, and that’s what it's all about. [emoji106]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220328/36fe85041b06b40bc2f1ea59aa63efb1.jpg


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[Hombre]

Looks like one heck of a time Thump! Good job on the last pic, its always good to put the pretty people up front and the fugly ones in the back.

[Thumper]

Ummmm, I think a ‘Bite Me’ is in order! ;)

[Arty]

You are living the life Thumper!