I usually write these posts while camping but for some reason Lake Darling State Park is a Black Hole for Verizon. We asked a young Verizon employee in nearby Washington once why that was the case and he insisted it was because it contained a "body of water." I assume that means if you live on the coast or a river or have a birdbath, you can't get Verizon service. Whatever.
Anyway, as I explained yesterday, this was my first solo adventure with my new (to me) camper. It was a mixed experience. First of all, you have the Covid restrictions. You are supposed to practice social distancing and most people did. We had decided ahead of time that we would not do our usual shared meals. We had one group campfire. We took walks in pairs or threes. We wore masks when out. The four chairs pictured above in my campsite were never used by anyone other than me.
The good news was that the weather forecast was not completely right. Wednesday and Thursday--our two full days there--were supposed to be very rainy. Wednesday was cool but lovely and Thursday only produced one small shower during the day. Wednesday, I went for a walk first by myself and then later in the morning on a mushroom hunt with Letha. We didn't find anything but enjoyed the spring greenery and flowers. We spotted red trillium several times.
The good news was that the weather forecast was not completely right. Wednesday and Thursday--our two full days there--were supposed to be very rainy. Wednesday was cool but lovely and Thursday only produced one small shower during the day. Wednesday, I went for a walk first by myself and then later in the morning on a mushroom hunt with Letha. We didn't find anything but enjoyed the spring greenery and flowers. We spotted red trillium several times.
However, on my early walk, I received a text (texting was the only outside communication I had) that my very close friend of 40 years had lost her fight with Alzheimers and pneumonia. The next day, I got notice that I had a message from a cousin but was unable to open it. Her mother--my mother's youngest sister--was not well and I suspected the worst. That was confirmed when I got home and was able to get to the message. Carol Dean (I called her Aunt Deanie) was more like a big sister when I was little, since she was only eleven years older than me. Two huge losses.
There were the usual glitches when one travels in a new rig, minor in comparison. I had loaded the coach in such a short time that I couldn't find anything without an extensive search. The outside compartments are in need of major reorganization. For example, the power cords and hoses are on the opposite sides that they should be. But those things can be easily remedied. There is the more serious battery issue to be addressed.
There were the usual glitches when one travels in a new rig, minor in comparison. I had loaded the coach in such a short time that I couldn't find anything without an extensive search. The outside compartments are in need of major reorganization. For example, the power cords and hoses are on the opposite sides that they should be. But those things can be easily remedied. There is the more serious battery issue to be addressed.
Meanwhile, back on the weather front. Wednesday night late, we had a loud and fast moving storm that woke us all up. However there was no wind to speak of. Thursday night was a different story. A deluge moved in after supper with 70mph wind gusts and several inches of rain. And it went on for hours. In normal times, the shower house would have been available as a storm shelter but it is locked up due to Covid 19. I rocked and rolled with the camper but she kept her footing and had no leaks.
The next morning the lake level was up at least 6 inches. Picnic tables on the lakeshore had become islands and docks were inaccessible. Packing up for the trip home required drying chairs and rugs out first. But all in all it was a welcome respite and I weathered--literally--my first trip.
The next morning the lake level was up at least 6 inches. Picnic tables on the lakeshore had become islands and docks were inaccessible. Packing up for the trip home required drying chairs and rugs out first. But all in all it was a welcome respite and I weathered--literally--my first trip.
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