THE spot on the Lake

It was nearing the end of July and the heat in Atlanta was well into the 90’s.  It had been a fairly dry few weeks so we were looking forward to our camping trip to the lake, barely 15 minutes down the road.  It was easy to dismiss camping so close to home.  After all, would it really feel like getting away from it all if you could run home to grab something you forgot from the fridge?  But I was wrong about it.  This was a great spot, in fact it was THE SPOT on the lake.  You know, that perfect campsite that was level, dry, positioned along the waterline so you had the perfect view.  Just a few steps down to a flat gravel entry into the water.  Yep, that spot, which was always NOT your spot.  You had the one that was weedy, some low spots with muddy ruts and not really a good view of the rocky lake edge.

BUT this time we had that spot.  It was easy to back in the level spot, hook up to electric and water, pull out the awning and set up chairs and tables.  A nice breeze floated across the lake and we were set for some great days on the water.  With one big question mark:  would the weather cooperate?

We planned this week for the few days we were going to watch our grandsons during our daughter’s school pre-planning days.  Yes, we get started with school early here in the south.  So that first day meant having the boys (ages 6 and 8 now) help us load up the motorhome in the morning with food, clothes and supplies.  Binx (our new adventure cat) and Kodi (our dog) were ushered into the camper.  Paddleboards and kayak were strapped to the car and we dug the seatbelts out of the sofa in the motorhome so the boys could ride over with me.  Well that was an experience for them, as the big box bounced and lurched along.  I know I enjoyed listening to them giggle and talk about the bumps and turns.

After setting camp, Jackie took them back home for a swim lesson and we were left to settle in and enjoy the night in camp.  Except that night a big storm front came through, with rain, wind, lightning and thunder.  Darn. 

Early in the morning Jackie drove to get the boys (it was maybe 30 min away), stop by the store to pick up new water shoes and a life jacket and bring them back to camp.  And the day improved from there – peek-a-boo clouds but dry.  

We spent the day in the water, with the boys testing their skills with the kayak, going for a ride with us on the front of the paddleboard and just splashing around.  Water was a perfect temperature and the lake was mostly quiet since it was a weekday.  Wyatt spent time collecting snail shells on the shoreline – we advised him to let them dry on a table at the campsite, but to check there were no snails inside.

Dinner was hot dogs, potato puffs and cherries,  followed by S’mores and ghost stories around the campfire.  Ok, this one was a bit of a cheat.  We had our propane campfire, but forgot the marshmallow forks, so we tried making them in the microwave – which actually was darn good.  Nobody had a burned black mallow.  And the ghost stories?  Very creative.  

This was the first time we used the dinette for a bed, where you lower the table, add the back cushions and presto you have a bed perfect for a youngster.  The sofa was opened up so we had two spots for what we hoped were two tired boys.  Yeah, I think we fell asleep before they did.

After breakfast the next day, a short walk with the dog for a garbage run and walkabout, and we all were back in the water.  Much more climbing and jumping off the paddleboards and a nice final trip along the shoreline with both boys on my paddleboard. Wyatt checked on his snail shells, which he had put in a plastic bag overnight. You probably know the result: major stink in the morning and the shells were returned to the shoreline. Except maybe a few made it back home . . . ?

Soon it was time to dry off and run them back home. They might not have been ready to leave, but it had been a fun-filled two days.  It was Friday night and a perfect one, as Jackie and I sat and watched the boats and jet skis on the lake, a gentle breeze blowing, adult beverages in hand and wondering “is 9:30 too early to go to bed?”

We were staying through the weekend, planning to pack up and head out Monday morning, and that worked out just fine.  We floated around in the water, paddled around and just enjoyed ourselves.  But of course on Saturday night as I was set to grill a steak, I waited a bit too late and a storm rumbled up and I was grilling in the rain.  And of course the morning we were packing up everything was kinda wet.  Rugs, shoes, towels, awnings.  But things dry and a hot shower awaits back home (although I did have one really nice shower in the RV).  With the paddleboards and kayak, Jackie headed home.  I dumped the tanks and followed with the dog and cat as passengers. 

Big success.  We have decided we need to book some weekdays next summer at THIS campsite as soon as the reservations open up.  It really did feel like we were miles away from home instead of down the street.

I should mention that I just finished replacing the floor of the motorhome with some LVP flooring.  It worked out remarkably well, even though I kept my fingers crossed when we lifted the slide back into the RV.  All good.  I have a video of the process ready to post on YouTube in case you are considering such a move.  

So what’s next for your favorite adventurers?  Well, I am in the midst of making lots of glass garden sculptures, fountains and birdbaths and filming the process.  I have them posted on my growing (can you believe it?) YouTube channel.  I would appreciate it if you view, subscribe and enjoy:  #adventureswithDougandJackie

And we have another family cruise coming up this fall aboard the brand new, second-largest-in-the-world ship: Utopia of the Seas.  Stay tuned.