Will We Survive?

Roger & I feel a bit like a whirlwind has entered our lives! Everyone should have a 9-year-old riding 'shotgun', so that you realize just how long a 200 mile drive can be! As you can see, she got her nest made in the back seat and she was ready to roll. It's not every day a girl can say she's been in 5 states in one day: Pennyslvania (where we woke up), New Jersey, New York, Connecticut & Rhode Island. Never having been to this park before (it just became a KOA in March), we took the MapQuest suggested route, which took us back into New Jersey, then routed us north around New York City (across the TappenZee bridge) and up along the coast of Connecticut. A 200-mile drive is a pretty normal jaunt for us, but we discovered that drving that route made for constant traffic for about 150 miles of it. That's why it took 5 hours to drive the 200 miles, even though it was interstate all the way. I commented it was kind of like driving on the OKC crosstown most of the way. Once we turned east in New York, we saw mostly buildings on both sides of the road until we got north of New London, CT.

The park is in North Stonington, which is just minutes away from Rhode Island. When we got directions to the nearest grocery store - it's in Rhode Island. Hunter thought that was really neat, having to drive to the next state just to get groceries. We had to stock up on 'stuff' that Hunter likes. We found a Shaw's, and as we were headed out the automatic doors, we met a mouse trying to get in. Hunter squealed and jumped over it. The mouse was obviously surprised to meet Hunter - and quickly changed directions, headed right for my bare toes (I was wearing sandals). I 'hit' reverse, and let it 'get gone'. That was a first! Hunter assures us we're never going to shop there again! Don't get me wrong, it was a very large, well-maintained store - but its just the thought!

A beautiful park here - "I could lose a crop!" Roger & I started out walking it, but soon realized just how big it is. Roger will spend the day with Ted on a golf cart, getting to know the property.

Hunter is in hog heaven with mostly paved roads, making bike riding much easier. She quickly discovered at the first park that gravel and bikes don't work well together. She is having a bit of trouble adjusting to the fact that Grandma & Grandpa still have to work. When we got the rig set up, the first thing I do is check my e-mail and answer anything from the Home Office - or one of our parks. She was 'dying' to go swimming. Roger disparately needed some 'chill' time after all that non-stop traffic, and I finally had to say, "Hunter, you have to give me at least 30 minutes without interruption to let me answer these e-mails". She did - and went outside to ride her bike and check things out. The next thing I knew she had 'found' some beautiful rocks and was washing them and left them in my dish drainer to dry. I have a feeling her suitcase might be a bit heavier when she heads back to Oklahoma than when she came. :>)

We, finally, headed to the pool. Met the manager and we stood talking while Hunter swam. They were just airing up the Jumping Pillow and after a bit Hunter decided to get dried off and try it out. They gave her a 3-day pass for jumping and she was set. It took her all of about 30 minutes to make friends with another girl and they spent the rest of the afternoon together, until we had to ruin it with our grocery store trip.

Got back from the store and Roger & Hunter headed out fishing while I put some chicken patties in the oven. We hadn't eaten lunch till we got here to the park about 2:30-3:00, so no one was starving - or so I thought. The two of them headed to the pond, via the store to get bait. Here came Hunter back to the trailer to announce that the store didn't have any bait, but the lady said the fish 'like hotdogs'. so Grandpa had sent her back to get a hotdog. I handed her one and she said, "Um that looks so good!" So I gave her a second one to munch on while they fished. Turns out they didn't catch any fish, but the fish ate the hot dog as fast as she could bait her hook and throw it in the water!
Then the child came back and proceeded to eat one and most of another chicken sandwiches. Guess she was hungrier than I thought!

After supper I got her all set up working on her blog - and I got comfortable in my recliner. Think I lasted all of about 10 minutes. The next thing I knew Hunter and Grandpa were headed to bed. I was so comfortable I slept in the chair till 2:30 a.m. before finally crawling in bed. Grandpa's idea of an air mattress for Hunter is working well. We just lay it on the bed during the day - and plop it in the middle of the living room floor at night. We all should have it so good!

I think we just might survive after all.