Feed the Birds

It's almost Christmas so thoughts naturally turn to gift giving and holiday events. Having lived in many large cities its not uncommon to need to decide on what mall offers the best selection of gifts or whether the Nutcracker Ballet or A Christmas Carol will be the more memorable production this year.  Here in Eufaula, Alabama a different mind set is required and hence it is time to feed the birds.

Like most places,the Christmas season here in Eufaula is filled with activity. The community however offers a slower pace and does things on a smaller scale. We went shopping on Shop Local Saturday and found several nice gifts. At the beginning of December the city setup Holiday Decorations and the annual Christmas Parade took place. The parade was held on Tuesday night- after dark. The high school band took the lead and boats as well as horses had lights for the occasion. 

The Art Scene hosted its Christmas party at the house of one of our founding members. The group  will host a Christmas Bazaar of art work this upcoming weekend. Fendall Hall offered a wine and cheese gathering. The Christmas Tour of Homes featured twelve sites and a meal at Shorter Mansion

Churches are offering a variety of music programs.We attended one of two Eufaula performances of the Camereta Chorus and there was not an empty seat at one of the largest churches in town. Joining friends and neighbors to enjoy the  music of the season is a great way to enjoy this time of year.  towns. The Christmas party at the Senior Center offered great food and a good time was had by all.

But what has stood our most to me so far was a trip to the Eufaula Wildlife Refuge to see the birds. We had planned a 7 am trip based on the good advise of seasoned bird watchers. Initially there were no birds to look at but we heard a number of different bird sounds.  About the time we had walked long enough we hit the marshland area that was filled with ducks. An eagle was spotted as were several egrets. My two year old grandson also spotted three tractors which he considered equally as exciting as the birds.

We now have our campground bird feeders up in preparation for the Great Backyard Bird Count to be held this February. I think my perspective on the holidays has been impacted in a very positive way by the Christmas Season in Eufaula. If your holiday season seems too rushed and too hectic consider talking a trip into the woods. No matter where you are its possible to enjoy a musical  performance and celebrate in part by giving to others.

Let me end this year's reflection with these last words. There is well known Christmas story about a man whose family had gone to church on Christmas Eve. He was not that much into attending services and was a rather practical sort of man. There had been a large snow fall the night before and he noticed a number of birds scratching at the snow looking for food. He put some bread out on the snow hoping the birds would find it. If only I could be a bird for time and show them where to find the food, he thought. The life of Christ as we understand it in this modern age is very much about showing us the way. For many of us this is the true message of the season. Enjoy your holidays and enjoy the birds.

It's All about the Chili

I

 I think part of the reason people enjoy chili so much is that it contains all kinds of ingredients. That was certainly true of our first chili cook off at the campground October 24th.
Each team not only had a different recipe and special decorations but also the kind of energy that comes from working together and sharing a meal with others for a good cause.

The fall day of the event could not have been more  perfect. It was not too hot or too cold, too windy or too wet. We know that some years Mother Nature will not be as kind but we were so pleased to see sunshine. I had met some of the seniors at the new Bird Watching group we are hosting monthly at the senior center so it was fun to connect again in another setting. Many were long time Eufaula residents but had not been to the campground. The fishing ponds were a topic of conversation as you might expect in a lakeside community that hosts over 70 fishing tournaments a year.   
  

 Football is often part of SEC fall Saturdays but who could have predicted 4 overtimes for the Auburn Arkansas game. Others enjoyed the music and singing from one of our campers who shared his talents with the group. Earlier in the week  two school groups had joined us for "Gravity Games", the preparation we have for the pumpkin smash and dash. We ask the students to develop their own hypothesis as to what type of pumpkins will win the race or travel the furthest. This year we talked about the science of winning an egg toss.  Younger children raced the day of the event and we hope eventually that kids will bring their own racers to try on the course.

Jackie is the director of the Senor Center and we both had our moments of doubt as we worked together to plan the first event of this kind at the campground.  Thank you to Jackie and her staff  as well as  thanks to our sponsors- Ameris  Bank- Gold Sponsor , The Medicine Shoppe- Silver Sponsor, and our Bronze Sponsors -Willie T's, River City Grill , The First Exchange Bank, Peoples South Bank and Young, Johnson and Associates Insurance, Home Instead and Southeast Alabama Convalescent Center.   Isolation can be a real problem for seniors who live alone.  Although the basic needs of the center have funding, these funds help provide everything from decorations at dance to support for holiday parties.   Thank you also to the First Presbyterian Church's Pumpkin Patch for the "past prime" pumpkins used for the pumpkin events. We have two ducks and one duck laid the eggs for the egg toss but I am not sure which one does the work and which one takes the glory.

For many the highlight of the event came at the award's ceremony. Not only were the teams recognized for their contribution of chili  but several generously donated their prize money back to the center. Congratulations to the Cajuricans who won first prize.  There are lots of activities that take place this time of year and many support a good cause . When all was said and done the fund raising goal was reached and we all had a really good time.

If you would like to be part of a team for next years Chili Cook Off please mark your calendar now for Saturday October 23. Team Entry is $25 for your team of up to 5 people. The public is welcome and Chili Tickets are $5.00 for 4 sample cups.

Autumn Reflections

The temperature is in the mid 70's  and I don't think the campground has looked any better than it does today. We have had several calls from hunters looking for a place to stay but their season starts a bit later in the year. We have work to do to attract more winter guests but the cabins are already booked for the winter months. Several great campsites are still available. The pool is closed thanks to the early cold front that came through  and the large number of leaves falling from the trees. Autumn is perhaps the best time of year to go camping but with school activities, football and community events, so far fall as been less busy than this summer.

The Chili Cook Off  and our second annual Pumpkin Dash and Smash on October 24th is our chance to let everyone know more about this special time of year at Lake Eufaula Campground. We are really enjoying working with the Jaxon Life Senior Center to make their fund raiser a big success. We have started a monthly Senior Center  birding class to work more closely with seniors at the center. Middle school classes will be joining us again this year for gravity games - a pre pumpkin Dash and Smash event that looks at the science behind the games. New this year will be an egg toss and two holes on the miniature golf course. We hope people visiting the cook off will see us as a place to bring friends together for tailgating. We are hosting  a pavilion party next weekend- another great option for family and friends to get together. Fall is also a great time to kayak.

Not everyone camping this time of year is looking for a party. Fall unfolds it's  beauty every day and a walk on the hiking trail or the spiritual trail is full of new discoveries. Soon it will be time to think about the holidays and look ahead to the upcoming year.   Thanksgiving lasts a bit longer here as we celebrate the season and not just the day. If you are traveling through this area on your way to points further south we invite you to spend some time with us enjoying the quiet season change. Eufaula has a lot to offer winter guests and those just passing through.

If you can come join us for the Cook Off and  support the great programs offered through the senior center. Tickets are available at the campground and the center. We still could use a few more chili cook off teams. If you do come please take time to drive into the retreat area  to see autumn in full bloom. Enjoy the season and celebrate outdoors.
 

Snowbirds-The Top Ten Reasons Eufaula Alabama may be the right Winter Desination for you.

Having lived in areas of the country where temperatures below zero can last a month or more and 32 degrees feels warm, I can certainly relate to the desire to head south for the winter. Here in Alabama we put up with the dog days of summer knowing that we do not have to face snow shoveling, snow blowing or snowy roads. As much as I miss the morning after a fresh snowfall or building an occasional snow man, the trade off really seems worth it. That's not to say winters down south do not a have a few cold, unpleasant or stormy days. It's saying that compared to winter at its worse, a low of 36 is not all that bad.

Telling people up north that they can come stay here in Eufaula this winter has not been an easy task. As I search the web I find very few websites or articles that seem to be of any real help. Not everyone has a $250,000 RV pulling a Range Rover planning  to spend the winter months at an RV resort. If that is your situation there are plenty of sites to help you find your perfect location. You would think that with more than 1,000,000 people traveling south there should be a few more resources for average folks of average income who would like to come south. Maybe I am just not using the right key words - all the buzz when doing an internet search. Snowbird is descriptive but not all that flattering. Winter destinations gets me to ski resorts and somewhere in the Bahamas. Come to Eufaula might have folks headed to Oklahoma. Perhaps I should just start by telling folks why Eufaula, Alabama is a great destination for your winter stay.

Remember when you started to look at colleges or figure out where to look for your first real job? Some people are obviously drawn to the big name school or the big city while others like the idea of more personalized attention. Eufaula is that kind of place. It's a charming and friendly small southern town.  The articles  I read online said that July is probably a bit late in finding your ideal winter location. Not here - there are currently plenty of good options depending on your needs.   It's also true people go to the same location year after year and that is why some places, even in Eufaula, are booked way ahead of time. People come to the same place because they like the people at the location. It's also possible that finding another location means dealing with lots of unknowns. It's just too stressful to change. Cost is a real consideration for many people in retirement. Eufaula is a good option if you are on a limited budget.  

No town or location is going to meet everyone's needs. One thing we have learned from owning a campground is that  many people are wanting or expecting certain locations to have everything on their wish list at an affordable price.  This makes it harder for the people looking for what you have to offer to find you and the people not looking for you to realize this quickly and move on to another search. If you are looking for these 10 things when considering a winter location, perhaps Eufaula is  the right place for you.

1.  It's close but not too close to the beach. If you are tired of looking at beach property where only the ocean and the price tags are large, Eufaula is likely a good location to consider. 2.5 hours from the beach, you can take a trip south and leave the sand, the traffic and the higher prices for those staying full time.
2. You enjoy the outdoors- The majority of our  accommodations have a nice outdoor view and  easy access to local outdoor activities. Fishing, golfing and photography are great options when spending time in Eufaula.
3. You enjoy casual entertainment. This is not to say there is not a reason to put on your Sunday best when in Eufaula, it is more to say that everything is not such a big production. If you don't find exploring the local library interesting or would not enjoy a quite walk on the hiking trail this  may not be the best location for your winter stay. Small towns have regional resources. Like the beach, Atlanta is an easy day trip.
4. You want places to meet new people- Eufaula has so many options - whether you are exercising at the recreation center, going on a day trip for seniors or volunteering at a community event - there are many great places to explore and meet new people . The local newcomers club has annual dues of 10 dollars a year. Monthly you visit an interesting location around town.
5. You are looking for a stress free winter stay- It's quiet and peaceful  here but I know if I need services I can readily find them close by. Healthcare is good and well connected to bigger centers. We shopped car repair at larger city location only to find a better and more convenient deal locally. Traffic is not a hassle and you have enough but not too many options for getting needs met. 
6. You enjoy good food- I love eating out in Eufaula. Prices are affordable and there are lots of interesting options to choose from.  My favorites are Mexican, Chinese, southern home cooking  and barbeque. The only real chains serve fast food.
 7. Faith is important to you  - Eufaula has many historic local churches serving our community, active in world mission and open to winter residents.
8. You have limited time to spend south  - Eufaula offers a flexible alternative to places that need booked months in advance with significant consequences to early departure. Whether you stay one month or five there are places here to meet your needs.
9. You are creative- Too often a destination is all about the money you spend once you get there. In Eufaula you can write, read, paint or do woodworking. The local "Eufaula Arts Scene" will help you connect with other creative people in the area. 
10. You are on the way to someplace else. Consider spending two days in Eufaula on your trip south or north. Tour historic homes, drive through the wildlife refuge, eat a great meal in town . Come back and see us and bring your friends. Eufaula is happy that you came by.

Lake Eufaula Campground has 30 amp and 50 amp winter ( larger than average ) RV sites as well as winter cabin rental. If our accommodations do not meet you needs we can provide you with contact information for other lodging options in the area. The campground is the closest lodging location to both golf courses, the community recreation center, the senior center, local restaurants and shopping.  Email us to request your free Winter Residents Guide.  Eufaula welcomes approximately 200 winter guests to our community each year. For more information on winter stays in Eufaula contact us at 334-687-4425.

How Fun is Miniature Golf?

It has been quite a job to go from an area buried in pine straw, to uncovering all 18 holes, to trying our hand at laying carpet to actually opening the course. We kept buying drill bits, glue and more carpet.  How fun is miniature golf anyway?
It tuns out, it is really pretty fun. Three of us tried the holes out this Saturday morning using our new plastic head putters and brightly colored balls. We still had a bit of work to do on the course but playing seemed a better option.  We did everything I remember from those days of my youth playing Putt Putt. Putt Putt courses were not fancy like the ones you see at the beach but they did require some skill. I even remember there being tournaments that were shown on TV. One of my shots went over the barrier, a second went right over the hole and lipped out. My competitive nature kicked in and I started thinking about my score. My math brain wondered about the best angle to hit each shot. When I sank a long putt all the near misses were forgotten. But most fun of all - watching everyone else play.

Our 18 month old grandson figured out the point was to put the ball in the hole. When the putter did not cooperate he used his hand.  Three boys were next to try their luck- it seemed fast was sometimes better than accurate. One family had a number of different skill levels and did great with everyone taking turns. Another group was all about the score, coming into  the office to add up each stroke. Some folks played wet from the pool. Several played barefoot. Some came back and played multiple times.

I told a friend that  we were close to opening the course and he shared a great golf story. It seems he and buddy were just picking up the game and were paired with another twosome at the golf course. They took a lot of strokes to get on the green but then both sunk long putts. Their new buddies said- I bet you play a lot of Putt Putt.

The group at Chamber of Commerce was told the name of the course was Gator Golf  and that we were so close to completion that yesterday we released the gators. Noticing the look of alarm on several faces I quickly reassured them that the "gators" were all made of cement. I guess the news of  the 900 lb gator from the recent hunt had everyone thinking twice about the gators we see from a distance at the wildlife refuge.

In any case our course is something new for the community. It's a game that can be played by young and old. It's something kids can do outside with a group of kids. It's math in action  and it takes practice to get better. The course is fun to decorate and we can perhaps add some additional features as time goes by. I have heard it said by more than one camper- we have been camping a lot but this is one campground that really has something to do for the kids. The kids or those of us that are kids at heart.  When you are in the area come by and play a round of mini golf. Who knows- next time we might have a space to build a fort.

Busman's Holiday

Road Trip Day One

Pete at Camp

If I have my definitions right a busman's holiday refers to when a bus driver finally took a vacation he spent his time off riding a bus. For us a busman's holiday means going camping. Not only did we head out in an RV to travel to Texas, we also planned our trip so that each day was mini adventure at a different campground. Most of the time we plan our vacations around getting to a specific destination and then we take time off. This time we enjoyed the ride. Our travel companion Pete ( our big yellow lab), was part of the 1900 mile adventure. Dogs certainly do like being in a motor coach. He could walk around and really stretch out for afternoon naps.  We planned our trip to see country and city, friends and family,  as well as just time for us. We stayed in private campgrounds and public campgrounds. We have a new respect for the challenges of running both now that we are campground owners ourselves. Despite the heat, the time spent outside was still the best part of the vacation. We saw some nice art but in my mind, at least, nature still does it best.

Natchez Trace

As I reflect  back on the trip, I thought it might be fun to share a few of our adventures with people visiting our space. Day one took us to my favorite campground of the trip, a Good Sam park 12 miles south of Tupelo, Mississippi called Naches Trace.   It only has 32 sites and they were close together. What impressed me was how well kept the campground was and how relaxed I felt staying there. Located on 30 acres, the campground had a small swimming pool, a hiking area, and a pond. There was a lot of grassy open space as well. We picked up several good ideas concerning site design and how to make our pool more inviting. It was a park that was showing me when fewer sites are done well they may have the advantage over parks with many more sites in a tight space. In any case we swam, hiked and enjoyed talking to the neghbors.

The Metal Museum

Tom Sawyer

With the King

Back on the road our destination was Memphis. I had two goals - to visit Graceland and eat barbeque.   We stated at another Good Sam Park- Tom Sawyer in West Memphis, Arkansas. We were right on the Mississippi River. The park has large pull through sites with concrete slabs but not much else. Our neighbors were many big rigs. The campground had obviously flooded in years past and some of the key electrical connections were well above ground. Besides the river we loved how convenient the park was for site seeing in Memphis. Graceland did not disappoint and was a great look back at the 70's. We learned Memphis barbeque is more about pulled pork than ribs. Our trip to Germantown  to sample the meat was well worth the journey. We topped off the visit with breakfast at an Inn overlooking the river and  a visit to the Bass Pro Shop in the Pyramid.  Rick got a new rod and reel for bass fishing here. We also visited the ornamental metal museum. I took pictures of most everything on display.It was amazing.

 
Next stop Conway Arkansas. Would you believe we found a place to stay just 3 miles from family? Everything else was about 20 miles away. The  mobile home park had a few sites that could accommodate RV's. Although many of the units were older, the park was well kept up and we could not beat the access. We learned about Frog Suck which is suppose to be whirlpool in the river.

Petite Jean State Park 

Petite Jean State Park was a place to take a real hike, see the waterfall and enjoy time with grand kids.  Not having been there for over 30 years I was not sure what to expect. The nightly rate was inexpensive but two nights were required to reserve our overnight spot on a weekend. The bear cave adventure at dusk with a ranger was great as was our morning hike along the creek. It was hard to see the boarded up lodge and numerous picnic tables that had likely not been in use as group for quite some time. This park is on top of a mesa, a bit out of the way and Arkansas has many lovely camping destinations. As I looked at all the campers scattered throughout the woods, I missed our back country backpacking trips with a 360 view of nature alone. Still it was fun to toast marshmallows, eat so-mores and tell ghost stories.

We spent the next day in Hot Springs and visited the smallest National Park in the country. We took a duck boat  tour learning about Gangsters and Spanish explorers. We ate Cuban food and tried to guess who was there for the Miss Arkansas pageant. Our campground that night was disjointed. Some parts were nice but other spaces needed work. Still it was our first stop with cable TV and it was nice catch up a bit with what was happening in the world.

The recent heavy rains in Texas made finding a spot near Dallas somewhat more challenging. Lake Lavon in Wiley had some space open and given the Dallas traffic, being 15 miles out in the country was not all that bad. This Corp of Engineer's park had gate. We missed curfew by 10 minutes and had to hike to our site. The next morning we saw our jeep had been joined by 5 other cars. We loved the Texas beef barbeque but found much of the really big city had lost its appeal. The 3 story mall seemed way too much to take in and each freeway trip was a major challenge. The heat topped 100 and it was time to start heading back.

Texas Sunset

Texas Barbeque

We did more straight driving on the way back and found a fast moving storm just as we had stopped to look for concrete sculptures for our new miniature golf course. We can't wait to share with our guests these neat finds to decorate our course. The campground we located in Tucumsia was blocked by a downed power line and tree. We ended up just down the road at park that had seen better days but was on it's way back. The bath house and laundry were new. We loved all the trees. There was still however much work to be done. Our hostess was great and the email thank you as we settled in and the next day were also very welcome. Many campers might look at park like this and see all the problems.. We looked at the park and saw its potential. We wish the owners the very best.

On to Huntsville to see Lowe's Mill Art Studios.  It's open to the public Wednesday and Thursday so it fit best during this part of the trip. It is a dog friendly art gallery. The cement floors of the old mill and the studios with windows make it easy to take your dog everywhere. Parking was a bit of challenge in the RV but it was great for Pete. We are not sure if enjoyed the art much but he always likes a good explore with family.

We finished the trip at Lake Martin in Alabama. The state park has over 200 sites with many directly on the water. Each site was back in and the park was a very busy place even on a Wednesday. Like the other two public parks we had visited it had a different feel than private. There is more acreage for sure and more industrial strength amenities. Mostly it was great to see so many families camping  and creating great memories for the next generation.

What this trip reinforced for me is that no RV park can expect to meet everyone's expectations. Most of us when we travel do not stay exclusively 5 star hotels. As an RVer I am generally not looking for the most deluxe and most expensive accommodations I can find. Sometimes my route takes me to places where it's enough to have a reasonable expectation of safety, value, cleanliness and courtesy. On a road trip like this we often had unique experiences that we would not have encountered if we had we stayed on major interstates or only in public or private spaces. I loved eating the flakiest biscuit ever at a diner in Tucumsia  and learning the city is the home of Alabama's Music Hall of Fame.  The scenic view in Arkansas rivaled those I had seen in the Rocky Mountains.

In the upcoming year you will see more changes in Lake Eufaula Campground. Many will have been inspired by our trip or reinforced by the journey. We hope that everyone feels welcome here, that our rules make sense, that guests do spend time in Nine Ponds for that 360 view of nature and that we can make your list of one of your best campgrounds rather than one that still needs much work. Thanks to all of our hosts along the way and happy camping everyone.

 

Duck, Duck, Duck

We are getting ready for the Fourth of July and every day is one step closer to completing tasks and other days are not so much. As expected there are ten items on the list, three items in the budget and the days seem to fly by. I wish I could be more like the ducks.

When growing up our youngest daughter always wanted to have a duck. We knew she loved the color yellow and perhaps this was why she felt a duck would be a great pet. Somehow despite all the animals we did have,  we just never had a duck. We had lots of good reasons why not. In many locations there was no pond.   We were sure the dogs and maybe even the cats would not be duck friendly. We had chickens once and noticed the number kept decreasing over time. I think the biggest reason was that you just couldn't pet a duck-easily that is .  When we bought chickens for the "enclosed "  chicken coop this year, we were also gifted with two ducks. We named them Gus and Will. Gus because my daughter said if she every got a duck she would name it Gus. Will because the most famous Gus we know coaches at Auburn with Will. Sure hope these are male ducks. We really have no clue.

They are the funniest birds. They seem to quack all the time and that silly word waddle really does describe how they walk. The seem to love the mud but equally enjoy climbing in the pool and getting all clean again. Ducks don't appear to get moody, suffer when the weather changes and they pay very little attention to the chickens. They just seem to like being ducks. No big agenda, no projects to complete, no reason to explore the next pond if the one closest is meeting their needs.

And so as I watch the days on the calendar fly by, and deadlines pass for getting the next big project done on time, and people call and our space just does not seem to meet their needs, I wish at times that I was just more duck like.  Or maybe getting more duck like faster. Back in our days in  the Rocky Mountains we use to describe back packing as a desire to get there. Llama trekking ( hiking with llamas) was about being there. As you plan ahead for the holiday or your summer vacation, I would encourage you to take some duck moments. If everything is not perfect it will still be fun. As Gus and Will show us, its also about spending time together.

 We do have space still available for the Fourth. Give us a call if you do not see what you need available on line.

Reflections On a Really Full Campground

Reflections on a Really Full Campground

When I was young and living in the Rocky Mountains true camping was about hiking in to quite spot and being surround by nature. As a family we sometimes did do “car camping” but that was more about going on picnic or spending the weekend with a large group of friends.  Even once we got a camper we never quite understood the folks who would tent camp at an RV park or expect a swimming pool in the woods.  I have become more tolerant with age. There have been times where any “off the highway” spot with electricity was great to find after a long day of travel. I still love the thought of a pristine setting in the woods but I do not miss at all the five mile hike out in the rain when the “group “ decided they had had enough for one outing.

This weekend our campground is full. Some sites that looked perfectly reasonable during the week seem pretty tight surrounded by campers on either side, boats and extra cars. I am not a big fan of utility trailers but I sure can’t argue that it’s nice to have a motorcycle or plenty of room for the gear.  I wonder how each new guest feels as they pull up to the office. Is this really what they had in mind?

An hour ago there were three people in the pool. Now there are 15. A pool full of happy kids makes one of the best sounds you can imagine in the campground. From my vantage point here at the office I am watching the young men (boys really) heading to the fishing ponds. We are already out of bait. This morning the boys were all in kayaks trying their hand at paddling. A grandma brought a group of young ladies to camp  and will head to the free outdoor movie in town tonight.  It’s hard to predict which of the groups is having the best time.   What I do know is that this holiday crowd, whether in tents or fancy RV’s, are enjoying the space- fishing, swimming and watching the birds. The younger kids have really liked the scavenger hunt and other folks just sitting around their campsite seem to be having a good time as well.

It’s unlikely that our guests this weekend know the number of calls we took from people looking for a space. Those that failed to show up to use a reserved site or call to cancel their site probably did not think about the people driving by those really nice larger sites to find a space that would do,  but was just a bit tight.  Many people do call last minute. It’s amazing that some still expect to find the ideal location by the water while others are just glad to have found something at all. When taking reservations we think about the size of each group and the number of boats or cars people are bringing.  We want the guests that planned ahead to have good time but it’s hard not to squeeze in one more group in when you have something that just might work.  In the end it’s all about the attitude you bring with you into the holiday weekend.  If you come in with very specific expectations chances are most places will not satisfy everything on your wish list. If you do some planning so as not be bored but still say flexible chances are you will have a great time. As my husband Rick likes to say – no matter where you go is where you are. The campground may be very full but it’s also filled with many great people having a good time. This was what we had in mind when we purchased this space. Let’s have more fun weekends.  

A Campground Garden

 It may not seem like a natural fit- a garden in the middle of a campground. However, when we thought about the best option for using the space once occupied by a run down mobile home,  a garden  seemed like a good starting point. We fish a lot here and what goes better with a fresh catch than fresh vegetables?

The water was close due to residual plumbing. I knew that a garden in the campground would require me to see it every day. Hopefully I would keep it better weeded because it would be one of the first areas our campers would see as they drove into the campground. Not only that, but if the vegetables did grow, I should have others able to help eat all the tomatoes and squash when ripe for harvest.

Being in a creek bed most of the soil was  very sandy.  I had never planted a garden here so I was unsure as to what to expect. With the help of the county extension agent I learned that sand is fine but that ideally it is mixed with brown organic matter and some green. I even have little boxes now to get the soil tested. We planted in late April just before a week of rain. Most every plant sprouted as you can see from the corn behind one of our garden signs. I can't wait to add more decoration. We may even do a big mural on the storage shed behind the third raised bed.

The next step we are taking is trying to form a 4-H gardening group as an after school and summer activity. From what we have heard some of the kids around here hate summer because there is nothing to do and school lunches are not provided. So wish us luck on this new endeavor. Stop by to see the garden when you visit the campground.

Art in Eufaula

The connection between art and camping may not be obvious at first but any artist who enjoys the outdoors finds inspiration abounding in nature. I like drawing so for me every tree is a potential art piece. I like the contrast between  light and dark, the interesting forms and shapes and the various textures on the trunk surface. A more practical point - there are not a lot of great places to display art when running a campground. The pieces I have collected over the years need new homes.

Eufaula is such a lovely small town. I was please to find a very dedicated group of art lovers here interested in promoting the Arts and Arts education. Known as the Eufaula Art Scene, the group boosts over 65 members who meet monthly to plan events and learn about art in the area. Many excellent local artists are members but so are individuals like me who just enjoy art.

I have been sharing a personal goal that Eufaula will develop three new art galleries in the next five years . A map of  locations where original art works are on display in Eufaula is posted on the campground activity page. Copies of the map are available at the campground. The campground is one stop on tour. Our Rainy Day room features art from a number of artists.  It is hoped that Eufaula will become even more of an art tourist designation and that new galleries will enhance our beautiful historic downtown. Many members of the Art Scene are interested in developing a cooperative art gallery much like the Black Belt Gallery located in Camden, Alabama. A second new galley is one the Campground promotes which is called "Your Family's Art "

Your Family's Art is an online gallery with a local presence at Bella's Collectibles and Antiques 130 E. Broad Street in Eufaula. Art is consigned to the on line gallery with the goal of finding new homes for the art you love. Each piece includes a story about how the art was acquired or why it is meaningful to the owner. If you are looking for one of a kind original pieces  check out the web page at https://www.yourfamilysart.com

Enjoying fine art is like spending time outdoors. These are two activities that give a deeper meaning to life and help us appreciate the world around us. We hope our guests take toime to enjoy both activities when visiting Eufaula.  

Reflections on Walking the Spiritual Trail

Yesterday morning I walked the new spiritual trail, not as a campground owner, not to make sure the layout looked good, not to show someone else the plan. I walked to focus on the verses and focus on nature. I am always keenly aware of how special it is to walk outside in the morning. You hear the sounds of the birds, you see the sunlight reflect off  the wet grass and you are connecting with the day that is about to begin.

At the first verse I am still some what distracted - not quite in a reflecting mood.  I notice the effects of winter- tall gray stalks of plants that hide the view and will be replaced by the next generation of tall weeds as the weather warms. The second verse is a simple statement that makes reflection easier. I think about how this space will change in the upcoming months. Flowers will certainly complement the view of the pond and the walk through the meadow that houses much of the trail. Station three is on high ground and the message is one of hope. I feel more connected to God as I stop at this station- my thoughts are more fully engaged in the experience. I see two ducks at the far end of the pond that is now in sight. They are the first ducks I have observed this season.  The verse at the point is focused more on personal reflection. How will I respond to God's message of hope?
Turning away from the water, the verses focus on Christ and his impact on our world. I am reminded of  the different denominations of churches that have selected  these verses. How many people will walk this trail in years to come? What do they believe?  What will speak to them?

As come to the verse highlighted at the beginning of the blog the sun is getting warmer and is directly off to my left above the horizon. I can't  help but feel that the light represents a greater power than man alone in creation. I resolve that this will be a good day - its Valentines Day after all- a day to celebrate love. On the final verse overlooking the labyrinth a bird sits perched on the station. He doesn't just fly off as I approach seeming mostly unconcerned that we are sharing this space.  The prayer labyrinth that lies ahead will not have verses to prompt my thoughts. This trail has been  good  preparation for this next part of the walk. My labyrinth reflections are for another time.

As I leave the trail, I wonder how different the trail will seem with each time I walk it as it was meant to be used. How will the seasons and my experiences in life change the reflections? As special as this trail was to walk today, I feel I did not give myself enough time to stop and just listen. How much of my reflection was in the form of a prayer? What answers do I hope to hear?

Finally this vision of building a trail has become a reality. It took almost a year for this project to be at the top of our priority list and part of me is not living as much as I would like in the present moment. There always seems to be work to do and projects to develop. I have learned over time that listening is not an activity to be rushed and that answers can come in a variety of different ways . The message may come in a time of quiet reflection, it may come as part of an event or outcome yet to take place. It may even be reflected in a movie.

 Last night we watched an independent film about a struggling young poet. She felt she had so much to offer, so much to say. You see her touch and care about the people around her. Finally she has a small work  published and to her dismay it is in a book of "Bad Poetry". The word 'bad' in the movie was a bit more graphic.  Bad because the editor feels she has not yet lived enough or experienced enough of life's lessons to write better poetry. The editor tells her that the culture we live in today does not appreciate poetry. But as cynical as the editor ( and poet himself ) has become, he shares that she offers something unique in this word as as such her ideas are important. No, not everyone who visits our campground will choose to walk the spiritual trail. Prayer and certainly worship can be in many different forms. The important thing I wanted to share  that  through my walk in the woods and a movie,  I have experienced a bit of answered prayer. May a special part what you do today be worth doing as well.    

Building a Prayer Labyrinth

It's really not going to be all that difficult. We have the pattern, the rock has been delivered, and the space is already pretty flat. The weather may or may not cooperate this time of year but we have even choose a rain date. The real question is how many people will show up to help? Many hands make light work is not in the bible. As you can see if I am the only one to place rock around the circles it could take me quite awhile. If 20 people show up the task could be completed very quickly. If I am placing the rock I will be pretty much alone with my thoughts. The labyrinth would be very significant to me but others walking the path may not feel quite as connected. If the group takes on the task chances are the conversations taking place will have little to do with placing stones. Only when the task is complete will individuals walk the path and see a deeper meaning. Being part of the build will have more meaning as well remembering the conversations and friends that were part of the build.

Sure it might be seen as safer not to build this labyrinth. As I put the notice on our campground sign today I wonder what reactions it will get from people driving by. It's a risk to post such a thing but it could also have a  very positive impact. We believe that God created the world we enjoy and this labyrinth allows people  to focus on their walk with God. Walking the labyrinth once it is build is free. So is walking the spiritual trail that will be next to the labyrinth. If you can join us to build this prayer labyrinth please do. If you can not and have an opportunity to walk one, try it out. I have walked the labyrinth several times and have  appreciated the tme spent in prayer and reflection . Life is a journey with many twists and turns- so is the labyrinth. Please post a comment if walking a labyrinth has been meaningful to you.

What is a Retreat?

To me a retreat is time spent with your best self. Throughout the week you may have a work self, a home self, a parent self and friend self. Some of time the person you are is busy doing chores. They are meeting responsibilities and getting the work of life done. Your best self is when you are using your experience, talent and personality to create, explore, solve problems and share.
Our mini  three day retreats are designed to help you connect with your best self. Whether you are spending some quality time with a hobby, learning a new skill or meeting with others to discuss a new idea, a retreat helps you get away from your routine and try something new.

In business they call these types of meetings conferences. For some a retreat can be how they spend most vacations and for others a retreat is one way to "travel " and explore new places. The distance between where you live and where you are going is often filled with interesting stops along the way. Our retreats are a chance to stop and smell the roses , explore Eufaula , Alabama, and learn something new in the the process.

This week I have been visiting with many of our retreat facilitators as we work through the details that will help make each retreat a more enjoyable experience. Our artist is thinking about how best to provide inspiration and make sure that guests feel comfortable no matter their level of experience. Our writer is thinking about telling a story and how sometimes we have difficultly doing that because previous writing experiences may have made us feel uncomfortable or not very creative. The minister in the group talks a process that provides a connection between God's creation and  personal religious beliefs. I am trying to put myself in the shoes of our guests. What do I need to know about the retreat?  How much free time will I have ? What is my goal in attending a retreat ? Should I invite a friend or family member to share this experience with me?

The mission at Lake Eufaula Campground is to support individuals,  relationships and  the community by spending quality time in outdoor activities. Please send us your questions and comments either at the campground website at www.lakeeufaulacampground.com  or on facebook at LE campground.  Challenge yourself to spend time doing something new or something creative. 2015 is going to be a great year.
To learn more about our 2015 retreats check the events page on our website or contact us at info@lakeeufaulacampground for more information.