Shots Fired!

Our last trip of the season was to someone's raw land. I voted for tent camping, but was glad the hubs was apposed after 2 bouts with heavy rain on Saturday evening. The tent campers had to sleep in dampness.

We have discovered that our youngest daughter has a fascination with shooting. She gets a huge kick out of shooting her Dad's .22 rifle. Knowing this, and that we were going to be camping where we could practice, I bought zombie targets to make it more fun. I, on the other hand, like the quiet fire of a bow. But I couldn't hit the broad side of a zombie if I tried that weekend.  The youngest, on the other hand, is getting better at hitting the target, and could fire off a box of rounds in a short order.

Whatchamacallit Update

I wrote earlier about how we need to name the camper. We still have no name, but at one point, the Death Star was mentioned. My daughters are all in agreement that that is NOT going to happen. They had this fear that it would jinx us and something bad would happen. Like a crash... or an explosion...

Yeah... thanks for scaring me kids... especiallly after seeing a news report of a family recovering from a gas explosion after buying a used camper...

Back to the drawing board!

Cozy Acres Family Campground

Our second trip out in our new-to-us camper trailer this season was to Cozy Acres in Powhatan, VA. Nestled on what seemed to be a former farm, it was very welcoming and quiet.

The campground was full of amenities. We took advantage of the pool, playground, sand volleyball, and fishing pond. They also held an ice cream social and corn hole tournament, and had a Saturday night DJ which we all participated in. We missed the antique fire truck ride. The property was very clean and the staff was very friendly and helpful. If it hadn't been 105 degrees all weekend it would have been perfect.
The sites are very nice and reasonably priced. We got a patio, picnic table, water, sewer and electric for $44 a night. We usually pay that for water and electric grassy, gravelly sites in Virginia Beach.

Troy and I, posing in the area they have set aside for free WiFi. The WiFi came in handy for my father-in-law, who has a hard time with the heat.

This was a free catch and release pond that was right across from our site. I was able to snag a cattail for my daughter, who wasn't with us.

Our site from across the pond...

Whatchamacallit

I really need to name it. We have had two trips out now in the "new to us" camper. It's time it gets a name. The tiny camper we were borrowing from my Dad was dubbed the "Skulls and Roses" camper. I read a blog about a traveler in his "Turnip Truck". I need something good to call the camper. Something catchy, like my husband's name (Pokey McButtonpusher). I think I would feel more connected to it. It is, after all, the headquarters for my Youtube Camper Cam. Camper Cam-quarters? Ick... nah. Our group of friends call themselves UBL (not explaining that one), and our plate says UBL mobile 2, but it doesn't stick with me. Not as a name.

I'll get it, and I'll get back to you.

First Trip Out with New Camper

Holiday Trav-L-Park- Virginia Beach,VA

Our first trip of the season usually takes us to Virginia Beach. The campground has a variety of sites for everyone and the prices are very reasonable for all the amenities it offers. It has multiple pools, mini-golf, 2 camp stores, live music, a cafe, playground, and a humongous dog park. We have had several years worth of family and friend adventures here.

This year we visited the aquarium just a few blocks down. The video below is of my daughter, sitting in a mock osprey nest they had outside.

a tunnel inside the aquarium

Virginia Beach is home to several military bases. I found this little sailor hanging out in the aquarium gift shop.

The campground has a hay ride on the weekends that goes around the entire property.

Beach fun- last year it was a smiley face!

Looky What We Got

Did I mention we bought our first camper this year? It is a pull behind 1993 Prowler. We got a really good deal on it from a family that was downsizing everything and starting over. Boy I'll tell you, we have really graduated! We went from tent camping, to borrowing a short little 16 feet pull behind, to owning.

We were so excited when we decided to start looking and ran across this deal. Our little family is still growing. We got a puppy this year, right around April. He is already half the size of my large dog. We knew there was going to be difficulties fitting the teens and two bigs dogs with us on our camping trips, which prompted the purchase.

Here it is, all set up at our last campsite.

Good Deeds and Fishing

It's 11pm and the sky is so clear I can see every star in it. I have a pole in the water and an eye on the sky as the boat gently rocks back and forth. The air is cool and you can hear the bugs and frogs and the occassion large bird. When we first started out we came upon another craft in distress. After towing them back to civilization, we nestled into a small cove of the lake to toss in our lines. Troy very quickly caught a small cat. Time passes and I drift into my own imagination, the still, glassy water reflecting lights from the houses along its banks. Aahhhh, relaxation achieved, even if nothing is caught.

Rescue Me

Troy got a phone call from his dad today. It seems that he has had an unwanted visitor for several months. As soon as he goes out of town to work, the trap gets sprung! I've never been that close to a raccoon. This one was obviously still very young. It had pleading puppy-like eyes as if it was trying to say, "Please don't hurt me!" I had no inclination to touch it, even though it appeared very calm. We drove out to a remote area and set the cage on the ground. I snapped the picture, then ran back to the truck. Troy opened the little door and it most hurriedly scurried off.

I Love My Dog!

It has been many years since our family has been able to open our hearts to having a dog. Our beloved German Shephard had to be put to rest from a bout with cancer about 12 years ago. But as I walked through Petsmart one Saturday with my husband, who was only looking to buy fish, this big old love caught my eye. I kept telling myself I didn't need a dog. I especially didn't need this big old hyper dog, barking at everything that walked by. But every time I passed the aisle and caught a glimpse, I knew I couldn't leave without him.

Bojangles is his name. That's what he came with, and that's what it stayed. We cuddle and snuggle as if he is a big human baby. We have had him almost 2 years now.

We went on our first camping trip of the year on Memorial Day weekend. Living in the city there isn't much opportunity for Bo to get in a good run. It's no exception in a campground. I love a campground with a dog park because they get to run without leash and socialize. Holiday TraLPark in Virginia Beach has a very large open area for dogs. We got a puppy in April, and his name is Ricky. He is already half the size of Bo. We weren't sure how the boys were going to do with the other dogs, so we eased them into it before we took off the leashes. And that's when the fun started...

The boys did great playing and sniffing around with the other dogs. Then enters a lady holding the lease to a small, lean greyhound. She explained that she had never brought the dog to a park before and wasn't sure about it. Then she reached down to unhook the leash and said, "Here it goes..."

That greyhound looked like a streak of lightning, and Bojangles the "deer" was determined to catch it. The greyhound had no problem pulling away, and playfully slowed down every once in a while to let him get close, and then take off. Several times they flew by and we were sure they were going to take our legs out at the knees. All we could do was stand still and hope they missed. Bojangles started trying to take short cuts, and Ricky tried to cut her off for him a few times because there was no WAY he was keeping up. His tongue was hanging out and he had that big doggy grin on his face when the greyhound finally came to a halt beside its master. He stopped short behind her and gave her a good growl as if he'd finally caught his prey.

We all had a good laugh watching them, and it made my heart swell with joy and pride to see him be so free. I love my dogs!

Wow! It is hard to believe that it has been over a year since I've updated my blog. I have been in a really creative funk. I come up with good ideas, and then fail to follow through. I really need to let the creative monster out. The funny part is, I have a new co-worker, and apparently I am her inspiration muse. I keep showing her things I've done, and she gets all excited and wants to do it, too. I am having total fun with that. I feel like I am letting her know that we all do "goofy" things that the people around us may not appreciate, but others might. And, that sometimes doing "goofy" things just gives you a sense of self satisfaction, if nothing else. An internal chuckle, if you will.