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.