It's Pretty Bad When. . .

. . . you need an e-mail to remind you of your own birthday!

The KOA home office is so good to send out 'reminder' e-mails alerting everyone on staff when it is someone's birthday. So Thursday evening we pulled in, got set-up, and I got 'connected' to see what I had 'missed' during our 530 mile drive that day. When I opened up that particular e-mail, I said, "Oh, Roger! It's my birthday Sunday! The days are really blending together and I had completely forgotten. Not that it really matters, but I did feel a bit foolish.

Last week was indeed a whirl wind of campgrounds and reviews. Once we were back on U.S. soil, we stopped at the first Home Depot we came to in Watertown, NY. We have been searching for some 'Grade 8' bolts that are a necessity for repairing our fifth wheel slide out. It has begun 'eating' bolts every few weeks again. Since Roger had put the last one in, we were feeling a bit vulnerable without a spare.

We had also fallen in love with some Formica we had spotted on the counter top at the Ivy Lea, ON KOA - and wanted to get a sample. Found the bolts, but not the sample. So we headed to the next exit, thinking we would find a WalMart. We did, and also a Sam's Club and a Lowe's. Found the Formica sample at Lowe's and we felt almost 'normal' again, walking the aisles and scheming and planning for our home remodel projects that await us in Oklahoma. Then we stocked up the freezer and frig with bounty from Sam's and WalMart and headed south to the Watkins Glen, NY KOA.

As we were doing the exit review with them Monday morning, their manager arrived to announce that their pool pump had just 'crashed and burned'. Not that we wish 'bad luck' on anyone, but sometimes it is nice to know that we have 'lots of company' when it comes to 'bumps in the road'. They went to take care of business and we headed south to the Gettysburg, PA KOA. A quick one-night visit there, but we promised Simone, the 8-year-old 'co-owner' of that beautiful park, that we would come back when we had more time and take her out to dinner. Roger also plans to get in some golf with Simone's dad and grandpa during our return visit.

On to Philadelphia/West Chester - yet another great park. Lots going on there with a new building about to go up, but we found time to get in a visit over a bowl of fresh peaches & ice cream that evening and before we knew it, it was 10:30 p.m.

Had planned to make an early start Wednesday morning, but as we broke camp, Roger discovered that one of the trailer tires was low - and then the air compressor had developed a leak in the copper line. Something came to mind . . . 'when it rains . . .!'

Of course, better to change a tire at the park - under a shade tree - than along the side of a busy highway, so that's what he did. I sat and offered 'moral support'. (I'm getting really good at that!) When we stopped at the store on the way out to say good-bye to Gary & Lori, a camper commented to Roger that "you handled that tire change really well!". Sometimes you take encouragement wherever you get it!

By that time it was after 11:00 - which put us behind for the day. Pulled into Jonestown, PA (near Hershey) and immediately began our walk-about, so I could get the report done by 7:30 p.m. I was worn out by the time I got the paperwork finished, and tried to wheedle out of the exit review, but Roger wouldn't let me off the hook. By the time we finished, it was 9:00 p.m. and yours truly had 'hit the wall' and will admit to being a bit grumpy.

Thursday dawned way too soon - for both of us - but head north we must. We both had been dreading the day, for we had 500+ miles to go before we slept. The 'bonus' that day was a stop at a Cracker Barrel for their turkey & dressing lunch special. We also made a quick stop at the Brattleboro, VT KOA. The new owners, Beverly & Ernie, had called to give us an update on some changes they had made and we wanted to see them first hand.

Pulled in to the Twin Mountain, NH KOA about 7:30 that evening, but not before Greg & Sue called to see if we were 'alright'. Our late arrival was beginning to worry them. A dish of ice cream at their social for our supper and a short visit with them, but it was still after 9:00 p.m. before we called it a day.

Friday of the holiday weekend, but we took time to do the walk-about at Twin Mountain. It went very quickly, for they offered us the use of a golf cart - and they run such a great operation, we found nothing to 'write up'. We love doing reviews like this one. Greg & Sue invited us to join them for brunch at their favorite breakfast cafe - and we got in a good visit talking about their future plans for the park. They headed back to face the Friday afternoon holiday rush - and we headed about 30 miles south to the Woodstock KOA.

We had planned this visit back in July and booked it early - for we have to be somewhere over the holidays - and we don't like giving our money to the competitors. Have wanted to see this park in full swing over a weekend - and we got our wish. Hunter would have loved it here! Candy bar bingo, a treasure hunt, kick-ball game, pie-eating contest, horse-shoe tournament, glo-stick hay ride, rock painting . . . just some of the activities of the weekend.

Roger even got off lucky and took me to the all-you-can eat pancake breakfast and then the pot-luck supper on Sunday evening - in honor of my birthday! At least I didn't have to cook! Well, I did bake some brownies for the pot-luck. He then offered to take me to the ice cream social, but I was too full from supper for that! But he managed to choke down a bowl. :>)

But sitting still for a couple of days gave us the chance to get a prescription filled, truck tires rotated, oil changed and the trailer tire fixed. Pretty typical 'holiday' whether we are at home - or on the road.