The weekend was a success! Everyone arrived safely, we got tours of Andy's wide-ranging projects, we had beautiful weather for a supper at the campground Saturday night, and most importantly we got Elliot graduated. I think he'd been practicing his graduation smile.
I arrived on Thursday afternoon in sweltering heat and needed to run the AC all night. By Sunday night, I had to run the furnace a little! Friday morning I met and had a great visit with a woman next to me. She had lost her husband to ALS about a year before Butch died and decided this past winter to begin camping again, starting with a tent. She plans to work toward a small trailer if she continues.
Saturday, Pat and I were sitting outside when another woman pulled over in a Minnie Winnie and asked for help. She had bought this RV three weeks earlier and this was her first trip. She thought she had filled the fresh water tank but they were already out of water. Her husband had suffered a stroke several years ago and was unable to help her. I only saw one water inlet so thought she was doing it right. But when we talked to her later, we found out she had made several trips back to the water station before someone showed her that the actual fill was inside a locked compartment. Through all this, she kept the most amazing attitude. It must have been newbie weekend, because on a trip to the dumpster, Pat ran into a couple of guys trying to figure out how to dump their tanks.
I arrived on Thursday afternoon in sweltering heat and needed to run the AC all night. By Sunday night, I had to run the furnace a little! Friday morning I met and had a great visit with a woman next to me. She had lost her husband to ALS about a year before Butch died and decided this past winter to begin camping again, starting with a tent. She plans to work toward a small trailer if she continues.
Saturday, Pat and I were sitting outside when another woman pulled over in a Minnie Winnie and asked for help. She had bought this RV three weeks earlier and this was her first trip. She thought she had filled the fresh water tank but they were already out of water. Her husband had suffered a stroke several years ago and was unable to help her. I only saw one water inlet so thought she was doing it right. But when we talked to her later, we found out she had made several trips back to the water station before someone showed her that the actual fill was inside a locked compartment. Through all this, she kept the most amazing attitude. It must have been newbie weekend, because on a trip to the dumpster, Pat ran into a couple of guys trying to figure out how to dump their tanks.
Andy has always said that his life is a grease fire and I don't think any of us would disagree. Besides two houses (long story), they have three dogs and two cats. Holly, an Australian shepherd, dislikes most males and especially Elliot. Max, a very large cinnamon colored retriever is old, showing his age, and pretty much clears a room when he walks through. Andy says that Frank Clark, a black Lab, thinks that Elliot's girlfriend Bethany is actually his girlfriend, but he lets Elliot drive her around town because he (Frank) doesn't have hands. And on and on. We visited the other house to see the progress on a wrap around porch, new downstairs bath, the in-ground trampoline, and the windmill that Elliot built with his welding skills.
As I said in my previous blog, Elliot is the last of the eight grandchildren to graduate so that also finishes a couple of traditions. I have done a scrapbook for each of family trips, holidays, and his or her activities. Elliot's presented a special challenge since many of his high school activities were cancelled due to Covid. And I have always made 'mortarboard' cupcakes, a recipe that my mother originally discovered. I can't really blame Covid, but maybe my age--they turned out a little subpar too. I wasn't able to find the bigger chocolate covered graham crackers this year and the M&Ms I bought were caramel which I didn't realize the were bigger than the regular. Transporting them in to town, a few tipped over and got a little smeary. Sorry, Elliot.
Despite all, it was a wonderful weekend. For the most part, the weather cooperated and it was so great to see them all. We had a lovely evening for an outdoor meal on Saturday and Elliot's diploma was signed.
Despite all, it was a wonderful weekend. For the most part, the weather cooperated and it was so great to see them all. We had a lovely evening for an outdoor meal on Saturday and Elliot's diploma was signed.
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