Winter Excursion 6, Day 64

Cath is still doing very well and it looks like our target date of 13 Jan 22 might happen. We will be together again. It is weird being away from her.

I spent the day learning from the current host at the campground. Duties will be easy and takes a few hours each day while we are on duty. The bath houses are the biggest job, but it's not too bad.

I met all the Rangers and office personnel today. They are super friendly folks and love to tease, we will fit right in! Got our new "Host T-shirts" and they look good. They gave me a hat also, but it's not my style!

I'll be shadowing the other hosts again tomorrow and get to clean the ladies bathroom...can't wait...LOL.

Kaylee is doing fine. She likes her walks, but does well in the camper by herself.

I did a little food shopping this afternoon. The market is only 10 minute away and has most everything we will need. 

We got our January schedule and I have off all the days I need to be with Cath for her upcoming appoints. 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 63

Well it's been over three weeks since I did a blog post. Cath is doing much better with her Relaxation Techniques. With a little bit of luck she will be finished with them on 13 Jan 22 and able to join me in the camper at George L. Smith State Park in Georgia. Time will tell, but that is the target we've set for ourselves.

I moved from the Charleston area today to assume duties as Camp Host at our new campground. It broke my heart to leave Cath, but she is in really good hands. Brain and Nicole will make sure her Relaxation Techniques continue. 

Our co-hosts here are super folks. I'll be learning from them for the next few days, before I assume duties. They are more than willing to trade days as necessary so I can observe Cath's Techniques. 

We have been away from the camper since 4 Dec 21 and it was good to get back, but I miss my camping partner. Kaylee is with me and took to the camper like she never left! She even got in the damn garbage can right away!

More daily blog posts to continue. It's good to be back!

Check out the sign to the left!

Winter Excursion 6, Day 41

I'll be suspending the Blog until Cath is done with her  Relaxation Techniques. Hope to be back soon!

Winter Excursion 6, Day 40

She graduated from Relaxation Techniques class today! So no more driving her to class!

We are back at Brian & Nicole's house and plan to stay here for awhile. The Kiddos were jazzed to see her.

All is getting back to normal (slowly). We are still looking forward to our Host Job in Georgia.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 39

Once again Cath continued her Relaxation Techniques today. She is getting better at it. but it will be a day or so until she has it right.

Not much to report today the traffic continues to be a nightmare.

All else is well.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 38

Cath continued her Relaxation Techniques again today. I spent the day observing her techniques, but didn't really want to participate.

All is actually well and we think the Relaxation Techniques Syndrome should be over in a few days.

The traffic in this area continues to amaze me. It took 34 minutes to drive 9 miles this evening.

Nicole and Brian have been super, dinner every evening, Kaylee taking care of, and all because of the Relaxation Techniques.

  

Winter Excursion 6, Day 37

Cath continued her relaxation techniques, so Brian and I took the Kiddos and headed to Foster Creek to check on the camper. All was well. The Kiddos decided to nap on the way home and Kaylee was happy for the truck ride..

Brian made some yummy Sloppy Joes for dinner which went great with the NFL games we watched. School tomorrow so the Kiddos were off to bed ay 2000. Nicole got home around 2300. It's been another long day.
 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 36

Brian took the day off and we spent the day at the house. Kennedy left for a weekend camping trip with the Girl Scouts and Wesley played all day with his buddies. 

Cath decided to relax a little today, so no cookie baking happened.

Brian, Wesley, and I made a really good taco dinner. We even made some homemade refried beans, but we had no bacon grease or lard so we used coconut oil. It added a really different flavor to the beans.

A little college football, then off to bed.

 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 35

Our weather continues to be beautiful. Forecast is for mid 70s and sunny for the next few days.

We went over to the Kiddos again today and met them at the bus stop.

 

We stayed at the house and helped them with a little homework, did a little puzzle working, took them to tennis lessons, and had dinner.

Afterward we headed back to camp, watched a Yellowstone episode, and hit the rack. 

The weekend will be interesting as we are BSing until Monday!

Winter Excursion 6, Day 34

Spent the morning in camp and did a little camp maintenance.

After lunch we went over to the commissary to get our Christmas Cookie baking supplies. Cath was able to get most everything.

While we were at the commissary Nicole texted with an urgent BSing (baby sitting) request. So we headed over to see the Kiddos. Nicole had made a nice dinner which we, and the Kiddos enjoyed. We had some ice cream, then a movie and popcorn. We watched Home Alone III and we all laughed ourselves silly!

After the movie Brian and Nicole were home and Cath and I headed back to the camper.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 33

We spent most of the morning at camp. Then headed out shopping for a few things Cath needed. Got back to camp in the middle of the afternoon.

We sat outside once again enjoying the weather. This has to be on of the warmest Nov -Dec we've had in the Charleston area. Our neighbor, John, stopped by and we yakked with him awhile.

After dinner Kaylee arranged all her bone pieces on her bed. This pic was not staged, she actually did this! What a hoot!

The bad news today was that the frame shop may not get our axel for probably four weeks. That may mean that we will have to drive back to Charleston from Georgia to get the camper repaired. Time will tell.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 32

Moving Day! We got up around 0730 and took our time getting ready to move to Foster Creek RV Park at the Naval Weapons Station, Joint Base Charleston, Goose Creek, SC.

Only issue was changing the bad tire, but that only took a few minutes as I had help from our neighbor Mike.

We said our goodbyes to Mike and Bebe, they are headed to Edisto. We are jealous. We will miss Edisto this year due to our Hosting job in Georgia.

The spare made the trip fine and by 1400 we were all set in the new campground.

Tomorrow is a day off, this retirement day off thing is getting to be a habit..LOL

All is well in the Boss Camp. It should be a laid back week!

 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 31

We headed to the Kid's and Kiddo's house early as Brian and I are doing Christmas Decorations for the outside of their house. It took Brian and I most of the day, but it turned out great.

Rick took us all to brunch at Okra Grill in Mt. Pleasant. The food was excellent, we will go there again. We had Crab Cake Eggs Benedict. 

After brunch Nicole, Cath, Rick, and the Kiddos, went to Shem Creek to walk the boardwalk.

Here's Kennedy.

They spotted this little guy on the walk.

Brian and I headed back to the house to finish up the Christmas Decorations.

Nicole took her Dad to the airport to head back to Florida. When she got back Cath and I left for the camper. I think we will take the next few days off! It's been a super weekend!

Winter Excursion 6, Day 30

We spent the day hanging out at camp and relaxing. Did a little camper maintenance and took a few walks.

Spent the evening with our neighbors at our fireplace. Enjoyed a few appetizers, had some great conservation, a few toddies, and a warm fire.

Tony, our friend here at Buck Hall for the last few years stopped by after dark. He gave us some sea trout fillets and we gave him his annual jug of NY maple syrup. It's a perfect relationship!

The weather here continues to be great. We can't remember the last time we had any rain. It felt good today just to chill and as usual sleep will come fast.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 29

We woke up at the Kid's house with the typical "Too Much Thanksgiving Food Hangover". A few cups of coffee and a small piece of Pumpkin Pie and we were ready to start the day. Cath and I headed back to the camper around 1000. Spent the afternoon playing cards and enjoying the weather. Kaylee was happy to be back to the camper also.

A small dinner (LOL), a little TV, then off to bed. It's been a really fun Thanksgiving Holiday!

Winter Excursion 6, Day 28

Happy Thanksgiving!

The day started early when the Kiddos jumped into our bed to wake us up. Nicole made a great breakfast and then the day got started.

Rick, Kennedy, Kaylee, and I drove back to camp as I forgot to pack a few clean shirts for the two day stay at the Kids. Got this pic of Kennedy on the way.

Back at the house we got the turkey going on the grill and the girls prepped the rest of the meal.

We went to another Neighborhood Oyster roast around lunch time. The oysters were superb!

The meal came out perfect and we all sat down to it after Brain got home.

Afterwards we were all stuffed as usual, but managed to stay awake till about 2200. It was another wonderful day with family!

 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 27

We left the camper around 1000 and headed to McClellanville and picked up some fresh (just off the boat) shrimp for $5.99 a pound!

From there we head to the grocery store for some last minute Thanksgiving supplies.

At the Kiddo's house it was Thanksgiving prep day. We got the peel n' eat shrimp done, baked two pies, brined the turkey, started the stuffin', and cooked the giblets.

Nicole's Dad, Rick, and I did a few more last minutes errands.

In the evening we all packed up and headed to the annual neighborhood oyster roast. As usual a good time was had by all.

Back at the house we stayed up with Brian and Nicole until after 2300.

Tomorrow is the big day. 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 26

We all slept in till 0800. We would have slept longer, but Brian's phone call woke us all up!

After breakfast the Kiddos worked on their Comic Strips. We took Kaylee out for a little walk. Wesley and his Friend Henry played some ball and then it was lunch time. After lunch we packed up all the Kiddos' stuff (I almost needed a moving van) and headed for home. It's been a fun three days.

Cath and I did some T-Day shopping and Nicole and I delivered the Oyster Table to the neighbor's for the Wednesday Night Oyster Roast.

Back at camp I got a nice pic of the sunset, it lit up the whole sky.

Cath and I had yummy steak dinner, watched a little TV, and then went to bed. We will sleep very good tonight! 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 25

The weather has cooled off, high today was in the low 50s. We took the Kiddos back to town with us to do a little shopping. Back at camp they hung out in the camper making "comics".

We did get a few walks in and a little bike riding. There are a ton of kids in the campground now. Our host has ten grandkids at their site!

After dinner we did our usual movie and popcorn, but we didn't get to bed till almost 2300! I think we will all sleep good tonight. Cath started early!

 Temps are headed in the 30s tonight. I'm sure we will all sleep-in tomorrow morning.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 24

 Sunday morning after a late night movie with popcorn!

They both slept in till 0730!

We did breakfast and then cleaned up the camper as Mom & Dad are coming for the afternoon. They arrived around 1300.

Walks, E-bike riding, frisbee, baseball, and just plain goofing off was the story of the afternoon. Brain and Nicole stayed for dinner, then headed home.

We did another movie and popcorn with the Kiddos and then we all hit the sack. It's been a fun day.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 23

I left camp early to run a few errands before the Kiddos arrived. Stopped at the hardware store, got some ice, and got some SeeWee Ham biscuits for breakfast.

Back at camp we did a little maintenance and cleanup.

Nicole and the Kiddos arrived around 1230. First order of business was to get some cups of Skittles and M&Ms! We spent most of the afternoon outside walking, rolling blading, and enjoying the weather.

It was a little cool, here's Kennedy all bundled up.

Kaylee stayed bundled also.

A nice dinner of Grandma's Goulash and a movie. Then off to bed. Cath and I were wore out!

Winter Excursion 6, Day 22

Left camp around 1030 enroute to pick up some Ipe decking for Brian.

One the way we just had to stop for lunch at Baker & Brewer. Here's a Trifecta, a Washout White, and a really sour lemonade. It was a good lunch as always. We picked up some of their wheat sourdough bread. It went really well with our Clam Chowder for dinner.

We drove over to the lumber yard, picked up the decking and drove to Brian's house and unloaded it. The sixteen foot boards only stuck out the back of the truck a few feet as we put them through the back window!

While we were there I put some caulking on the Oyster Table. Kaylee had to supervise from under the truck.

Back at camp we did a bunch of socializing with all the neighbors. The campground is still full.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 21

We left camp around 1030 enroute to the Kiddos house to do laundry. We stopped at the grocery store on the way to pick up a few things Cath needed for dinner tonight at the Kiddos.

After Cath got the laundry started I started work on the Oyster Table Refurb.  Seems that over the years the plywood is starting to delaminate. I trimmed all the sides and installed some PVC 90 degree molding. Glued it all up with Brian's help. Tomorrow I'll caulk all the edges, then Brian can Polyurethane it this weekend. It will get used next Wednesday for the Oyster Roast. I'll post a pic tomorrow.

Got a call this afternoon that the Frame Shop found and ordered the new axel. This is great news, but expensive news. Axel, tires, and labor is going to be around $2K. YUK!

Had a nice dinner, then the Kiddos did "Kids TV" for us. It was hilarious! 

Wanted to post this pic of Kennedy with the neighbor Cat, Charlie. Nice cat, but a little fat, he looks like Garfield.

Back at camp we pretty much went straight to bed. It's been a fun day.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 20

Day 20! It feels like we just left home.

We left camp this morning to do some errands.

First stop was Foster Creek CG to check out our site when we move from here. We normally stay in site #12, but this year we have Site #15. It will do just fine.

Next we headed over to Cath's favorite Asian market to pick up some chestnuts for her Thanksgiving Stuffing. They were out! So we ordered them from Amazon. Go figure they arrive tomorrow!

From there we went to a Frame Shop, not for pictures, but for the camper frame! Seems we hit something on the way south this year and bent an axel or spindle. Either way we need a new axel! I realized something was wrong when I saw the passenger side front tire. Yep, those are the belts on the inside!

The owner at the Frame Shop was super. Only problem may be finding an axel. As with everything else they are in short supply, time will tell. Next stop was the Goodyear Tire store just up the street from the Frame Shop. I needed to buy two new Goodyear Endurance Trailer tires to replace the bad ones on the new axel when we get it. It was a good thing we stopped as we got the last two tires (of the size we needed} in Charleston. Seems the factory shut down production a few months ago and won't reopen till early next year!

Back at camp a few toddies were in order to get over the axel issue. Nicole and the Kiddos came to camp around 1700. The Kiddos took over the camper like they owned it! They remember everything from years passed.

Later we all met Brian at Seewee restaurant for dinner and to get our annual fried food fix.

It's been a long day we will sleep good as usual.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 19

We spent the morning putting camp together and doing a few minor repairs to the camper. We do like the site we are in as it is north facing so we don't get the sun in our eyes while sitting outside.

We left camp to go see the Kiddos in the afternoon and pickup a few supplies at the grocery store.

Got back to camp before dark, sat outside for awhile, and then got dinner ready. At dusk we got this pic of the moon rising. We will keep an eye on it as there will be an eclipse on Friday. We should be able to see it as the weather is forecast to stay nice!

Winter Excursion 6, Day 18

We left camp this morning around 0830. We would have left a little earlier, but the camp host stopped by and we yakked for awhile.

The drive was good and as usual and Gypsy took us on some interesting roads (more like goat trails), but that's what happens when you set your GPS to avoid highways.

We arrived at Buck Hall USFS Campground, SC around 1330. 

Did minimal setup and then headed to Mt Pleasant to meet the Kiddos at the bus stop. To say the least they were pretty jazzed to see us.

I spent the afternoon playing catch (baseball) with them. I'm sure I will feel it tomorrow, I can't remember the last time I had a baseball glove on.

Kennedy got her hair cut and the stylist did some braiding for her. It looks really cute!

Brian got home early and took Wesley to basketball practice. Nicole left for a tennis match. We ordered our favorite "Dough Re Me" pizza for dinner and a good time was had by all.

The Kiddos used every excuse in the book to avoid going to bed, but when Nicole got home that didn't last long!

We sat and talked with Brian & Nicole and finally left for camp a little after 2200.

It's been a long, fun day. We will both sleep good tonight! 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 17

We spent the morning doing one of our favorite activities, people watching. The "mass exodus"  started around 0700 and by noon there were only a handful of campers left in the campground as it is Sunday. We had a view of the dump station and it was interesting to watch some of the shenanigans going one there. 

We took Kaylee for a walk and just relaxed in the afternoon. The weather continues to be perfect.

Got everything packed up and ready for the drive tomorrow. We get to see the Kiddos!

  

Winter Excursion 6, Day 16

We had a lazy morning and then left camp for a few errands. Washed the truck, got some ice, picked up some Sea Trout and Scallops for dinner, and hit the grocery store.

Back at camp we relaxed and enjoyed the weather. It was sunny and 75!

We took a nice walk around the campground and got this pic:

Very interesting, but I prefer ours!

Our seafood dinner was great. A little TV then off to bed.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 15

 We hardly got any rain so pack-up this morning was easy and dry. After we dumped the camper (had to wait 20 min for the camper ahead of us) we hit the road. If we ever go back to Twin Lakes we will get Site #18.

The drive was nice, Gypsy put us on some really, really backroads, but finally got us on RT 58 and we made it to Cedar Point USFS CG, NC around 1500. We did minimal setup as we are leaving in two days.

Here's a pic of the campsite and one of the sunset this evening.

We didn't feel like cooking, so it was Bojangles for dinner.

Winter Excursion 6, Day 14

Today was laundry day...YUK! We left camp around 1000 and were back home after eight loads by 1300. That should be our last time at a laundromat until May 22. We can use Brian and Nicole's and then while we are hosting we get to use the CGs for free!

We spent the afternoon playing cards and getting ready to move tomorrow. It is going to rain tonight so we put everything away. Only thing in the morning is to hookup, dump, and leave.

We do like this campground and in the future we will reserve site #18.

Should be an easy drive tomorrow as the rain is forecast to stop by 0900 and it's only a 5 hour drive (215 miles).

All is well in the Boss camp. Four days until Kiddos!

Winter Excursion 6, Day 13

The battle with the ladybugs continued today. They are actually Japanese  Beetles. I drove into town this morning and got some "bug killer". The beetles started making tracks on the camper today, but after an application of the "killer" we got them under control. We estimate we killed and caught over one hundred today. We hope today was the end.

Hung around camp today, talked to some of the neighbors, played some cards, and took a little walk.

We stopped at the Office/Gift Shoop and I got this pic of their planter out front. We decided there is a use for everything!

One more day here then off to Cedar Point, NC for the weekend.
 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 12

We spent the morning doing some "Spring Cleaning" even though it's Fall! It feels like Spring, the weather has been perfect! I got the windows and screens done. Cath did the dusting, vacuuming, and washed the floors.

Later we took a little walk over to the lake. 

After the walk we spent the late afternoon fighting the Ladybug herd! I'd mentioned all the ladybugs when we visited Appomattox NHP, but they must have made their way over to our campground. We estimate the we got around fifty out of the camper. Tomorrow we are headed to Wally World or TSC for some ladybug poison! 

A little TV and dinner, then off to bed.
 

Winter Excursion 6, Day 11

Left camp this morning around 1000. First stop was Holiday Lake State Park.

It's a really nice State Park not far from here. The day use facilities are first rate, but the two campgrounds have a little to be desired. The older one has really small sites and the newer on as many unlevel sites. Also no cell reception anywhere in the park.

Next stop was Appomattox Court House National Historical Park.

This is a very well maintained National Historic Park. We got another cancellation in our National Park passport!

There are really nice walking trails and Kaylee was happy as dogs are allowed.

The weather was perfect, but the lady bugs were out in force!

On the way home we stopped at the store for a few supplies; wine & beer (and some food)..LOL!

Back at camp the campground still has only about six campsites occupied. We sat outside until dusk and enjoyed the 70 degree weather.