Then a week-long trip near Ocean City, MD.  That one is at a campground we visited for 5 or 6 years in a row and loved for its "rustic charm".  In other words, it had been around for 30 years so you didn't go because everything was new and shiny.  But you could get a beachfront campsite - with Assateague (and views of its ponies) across the water in front of you.  Few people used the beach either.  Then the owner was ready for retirement and sold.  The new owners were planning on building and cashing out but rumor was they couldn't get the permits.  So they bulldozed everything and installed all-new utilities to each site and put up new bath houses and pool.  With new rates too - of course.  So we haven't been back in a few years but decided to finally give it a try this year.  It will be a great week no matter what but we are worried it just won't be the same, y'know?

 

Next up is a long weekend in the far western MD + northern WV area.  Never camped there before so its something new.

 

We haven't planned out the September-October trips yet but I'm sure we'll spend most of the weekends in October at a local state park like we did last year.  Our girls cheerlead for a rec program in that area, a bit of a pain during game season when its a 25+ minute drive every weekend to one of the schools (getting up early which we don't like to do), then back.  And it means no camping.  Came up with the perfect plan last year when I discovered that park was very close.  We can camp all weekend, sleep in a bit then pack up Sunday morning and go to the game, then go home.

 

So what are your plans?

Well, we've already been on one trip to Valens Conservation Area this year.  We met up with Phil H's clan and had a great time.  We'll be meeting up with them again in a couple of weeks at Darlington Provincial Park.

 

Early June: podding on inlaws farm with other "family campers" for a mulit-day open house/bonfire/pigroast/camping extravaganza. Much food will be eaten and firewood burned.

 

Late June: Eastern RU, followed by a couple days in Twin Knobs KY. Many new folks will be met.

 

Early July: Kayak/tubing/camping trip on the Rifle river with friends and family. There is a possiblilty that some malt beverages may be consumed. This trip will be immediately followed by ...

 

... plan "A" is circumnavigation of Lake Superior by rPod, following the east side of Lake Michigan on the way back home. Plan "B" is we'll start in Ontario at the Pinery, work our way around Manatoulin Island, maybe hit St. Joseph Island, then follow the west side of Lake Huron back down to home. SWMBO is still doing background research for these trips.

 

August, Sept: nothing scheduled yet. If we do all the above, it's possible we may be penniless by this time anyway. Kidding! Actually, I'm waiting for a verdict on possible shoulder surgery during that time. Hopefully I can put it off until late fall. If not, much frowning will be done during this period.

 

Early Oct: family gathering at local State Park on their "Halloween Themed" weekend.  Silly clothes will be worn.

 

 

 

and  should be back home by October 15. And that is the reason that we just bought a new TV, 2010 Dodge Dakota, 4.7 l V8, Auto trans., 4x4, class 4 tow package. (7200 lbs)  

 

 

Thanks. The plan is to put it off until fall if I can. So far so good. I just have to remember to think before I act. The doctor even told me to lay off the Wii Sports Resort games until after this is over.

Just came back from second small outing in our area, Elkmont, "dry" camping. I set it up for a week, had grandkids in it for a bit, then left it for 2 nights to return them to their parents, then went back for some downtime, alone, with the dog. Was great.

Have been pulling it, this time I "broke" camp and drove it home AND backed it in to a pretty tight spot at the house. The learning process is coming along and I am not cocky, but I am feeling some encourgement.

My "sister" is going into hospital for heart surgery next week maybe, when she does I am planning on parking the Escape Pod as close as I can so not to make a 90 miles round trip each time I go to stay with her. So that will be on my own, without dog. This time I want electric, the heat is just about unbareable, really spoiled for the ac. The "dry" trip was not bad, being in full shade and the elevation enough to bring the temps down.

I am sure everyone with a POD gets the inquries of "what is it?!"  I am wondering if we need referrel cards so we could get a small comission for the advertisment and walk throughs!

 

I have a least 2 questions, will try to find a place to post them.

Happy Summer

 

 

Weekend of Oct. 15th, going to Doll Mtn. (Corp. park) in the north GA mtns. to enjoy the Apple Festival in Ellijay, GA and we'll also hopefully see nice fall colors.

 

Next summer in July:  10 days booked at Bahia Honda State Park in the FL Keys!  We have a water front slot - so excited!!!!

 

Monthly:  visits to my son in Valdosta, GA (he's mentally/physically handicapped and lives in a wonderful place down there called Parkwood Developmental Center).

 

Other trips to be added, I'm sure!

 

Anyone else have future trips already planned?

 

Have a one day reservation at Elkmont, (national park) campground, dry camping, on 31st of Oct. From then on it is first come, first serve until the campground closes for Winter. Trying to get a river site, THESE are hard to get, even living close by.

 

MIGHT get the husband to try taking it to Austin, TX to visit daughter and family in there someplace.

 

Escape Pod  (not a whole lot of Esaping yet

      Spring Break was split between Edisto Beach State Park and Hunting Island State Park in SC.

 

      2 weeks at end of June was spent as follows: 3 nights close to DC, 8 nights on Cape Cod, and

      3 nights on Lake Ontario (halfway between Niagara Falls and Toronto).

 

2010 post Nerd Pod (luxury):

      2 nights in unbelievable August heat/humidity (mid 90s) at Hueston Woods State Park, OH

      (close to Couch's for a test run). The A/C works great!

 

      3 nights over Labor Day weekend planned at a local state park, OH, haven't decided between

      two yet, both still have space.

 

      2 nights at end of Sept. at Maumee Bay State Park, OH, for a round-up

 

      We plan on going somewhere local mid Oct. before we winterize and say goodbye until late

      March.