When we pulled in to a small park in Maine, her first response is "What is there to do here?" But she discovered their pool was unique (although just a bit chilly for her taste - 61 degrees since they hadn't turned the heater on that day - but she swam anyway), and it was a great place for a campfire. Then this morning, she had the trailer to herself to watch a movie, while we met with the owners. When the movie ended before our meeting, she walked up to the rec hall and discovered a whole stack of puzzles. By the time we were ready to leave - she didn't want to!
But go we must. Drove about 2 miles and stopped to get gas, and Hunter announces she's ready for lunch. As we were walking over to the store, she's telling me about prepackaged sandwiches, etc. Opened the store door and the smell of pizza wafted out. Turns out the little station is also the 'hot spot' for lunch and they sold pizza by the slice. I bought all their Diet Dr. Pepper for our Canadian visits (I can't get it in Canada) - and Hunter got her lunch - two slices of fresh pepperoni pizza.
Roger & I have operated on the schedule of eating a good breakfast, skip lunch and then have an early supper. Hunter is definitely not programmed that way, and I have just got to remember that.
We knew we would hit traffic as soon as we turned east towards Bar Harbor, and true to form, we did. It was still early afternoon, so it wasn't as bad as it would have been later in the day. It was looking like rain (what a surpirse, NOT!). It's raining - off & on - at most of the visits we make here.
We found, to our delight, that our early season visit got us one of the sites that look out onto the ocean in the Waterside section. Wow! It's just across the road and down a slope and you are there. But the BEST thing about this company-owned park is that they have full-time activities staff and there is always something happening - if it's not raining to hard.
Hunter was given a Fun Finder newsletter when we checked in - and she hopped on the golf cart and helped 'escort' us to our site. When we arrived, the manager, Ron, said "Boy , how did you two ever come up with a grandchild that was so shy!" :>) Knowing Hunter, she had given Ron a complete Hughes family history in about a 2 block ride! She is a natural at this lifestyle, for she has never met a stranger - for more than about 30 seconds. We pull in to a park and as soon as she has met everyone, she's ready for action!
While Roger & I got the trailer set up, she was busy 'collecting' things on her Scavenger Hunt list. It was truly surprising just how much of the stuff we actually had! She pulled out everyone of Roger's T-shirts looking for a 'Fruit of the Loom' tag. Thankfully, she found one, but she was hoping for a pair of Grandpa's underwear! When I suggested we check her drawer - she was adamant that that was not a good idea! :>)
But we have work to do, so we headed out to the Woodlands section (which is actually another park about a mile down the road) to do our walk-about. Hunter discovered a swimming pool (heated to 80 degrees) and was just sure she could 'fit' in swim time before the Fun Train ride. But this time Grandma & Grandpa overruled and said no. That park done, we headed back to our trailer so Roger could watch his Friday night Sci-Fi and Hunter could catch the Fun Train - and somewhere in there Grandma could cook supper.
Even Roger has to admit that the walkie-talkies are coming in handy. Think she made 3 or 4 'walks' to the store, which is about 2 blocks away from our site. She went up to 'check on' the Fun Train to see if it was going to run, since it had been raining. I'm sure she made quite a sight with the big yellow KOA umbrella! She called back to say, the rain had stopped by the time she got to the store and would be on the train. It's just a little 4 car train on wheels that runs through the park once or twice each day. But she sat in the back car and made friends with Ruth, one of the activities staff. Ended up riding the whole 45 minutes, then ran in to eat her Hamburger Helper - and dashed out again.
This time to play 'ultimate frisbee'. She was the only one that showed up for that activity, so she had a grand time playing with the three activity staff (all college age). Ran back about 45 minutes later - wet and muddy - to change into dry clothes in time for the Flashlight Candy Hunt. She took longer than necessary to change (imagine that, Mom & Dad), and before we knew it, here was Ruth at our door, offering her a ride in the golf cart to the candy hunt. She only ended up finding 2 Tootsie Rolls (thank goodness) for at 9:30 p.m. I didn't need a child hyped up on sugar! Listening to Hunter, she had more fun holding her flashlight for Ruth to see to drive the golf cart, than at the candy hunt.
Herded her into the shower, pjs on and she decides it's time to watch a movie. I looked at the clock, surprised to find it 11:00 p.m. and declared it was time for all of us to hit the sack! Hunter was too tired to argue. It is amazing though as we wind up our first week. This 'tv-addicted' 9-year-old is just finding too many better things to do than sit in front of the TV. Isn't that what summer is all about?
Saturday's schedule includes tie-dye T-shirts and an out-door movie on the big inflatable movie screen. I just might have some quiet time to get my report done after all!
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