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Page 10 This & That for 2006 By Wanda Ray January 2006- Our local dealer, Roger Youngblood came through in a wonderful way when we were looking for a place to meet in January. He and Tammy not only opened their own home, but provided a full catered meal as well. Friends like that are really special. Our Wagon Master, Tim Armstrong, provided us with information on all the places we were camp with maps on how to get there so most of the time was spent talking about the places to go and things to do in 2006. February 2006- found Flight 9 at Shawnee Community College at a Bent Grass Concert. Due to the weather, (which usually has no bearings on us) the group was a little small, but that doesn’t make it less fun. One of our members, Ellie McRae, has accumulated 17,000-miles walking since 2002. What dedication. March 2006- Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park in Camden, TN is a beautiful, quiet spot in the hills. John Haley guided several to the Birdsong pearl harvesting company and also a pearl museum. Cynthia Haley arranged with the park ranger for an “Owl calling gathering” on Friday night. What a thrill to see the Bard owl answer and come to check us out. Saturday night we ate in the basement room at the Blackberry Patch restaurant. April 2006- As stated in the February notes, weather usually doesn’t win, so with tornado warnings on the radio we all set out for Rend Lake, IL. The camp host came and told us to seek shelter in the nearest bathhouse, which some did and others were just braver, you think? The rain set in and most spent the night with inside games. The Windows Restaurant provided our place to ‘meet and eat’. The sun came out just in time for the drive home. May 2006– Pennyrile State Park, near Dawson Springs, KY was our spot in the sun. We were so anxious to be out and together that some arrived on Wednesday. This was the time for the men to provide breakfast for the ladies. Sure is nice to be waited on once in a while. The food was good as well. A parade of over 130 motorcycles got our attention. During the weekend Dot Eizenga provided a ‘pie surprise’ with 4 of her wonderful homemade pies. June 2006– Just south of New Harmony, IN is the Harmonie State Park. Our attendance, 18 rigs, was really good. Everyone is just glad to be ‘out and about’ in the warmer weather. There was lots to do and see, and of course we had one uninvited guest at our potluck supper……..a 'little' rain storm and a 30 degree drop in temperature.. Our president and the camp host found us a shelter and we went on as usual, with lots of good food and plenty of homemade ice cream. July 2006– Full steam ahead camping!! 17 of our rigs and several visitors met and The Canal near the Kentucky Dam. Rain and storms again tried to dampen the fun, but when you have friends willing to park rigs for each other, the rain failed. This being the holiday weekend there were many visitors and lots and lots of children that kept us all young. Our campfire conversations were long and exciting. Dedication is what you call it when a camper falls off the roof of a garage, breaks his pelvic bone, and the day he leaves the hospital comes all the way to restaurant in Lake City to be with his friends. August 2006– The history of Reelfoot Lake in TN is worth checking into for anyone that hasn’t heard the story. We had our supply of ‘anti-mosquito flaming buckets’ which did help up to 9:00 PM and then the mosquitoes won. On Saturday morning, the Sellers’ cooked sausage, scrambled eggs, hash browns and toast for our breakfast. Miss Ellie topped off the meal with homemade cinnamon rolls. (People that don’t camp have no idea what fun we have). Arrangements were made with the campground for us to have a pontoon ride on the lake. Anything we can do together is always better!!! Boyettes in Tiptonville, TN was our place to ‘meet and eat’ away from the mosquitoes. The food was great. September 2006- At the Giant City State Park in IL we finally had GOOD weather with nice warm days and cool nights and more than our share of chiggers. One lady counted 500 bites from walking a wood trail. Several of our ‘camper maintenance specialists’ decided to assist a fellow camper with his ‘slightly twisted’ electric steps. See…..there is always some one to help with any problem at our camp outs. The Giant City Lodge with its huge cedar timbers is always nice to visit. There is a big water tower on site with 80 steps up (& down) where you can see far away to the big cross in top of Bald Knob mountain. October 2006- The regular Fall Invitational Camp Out was at Fort Massac State Park, in Metropolis, IL. Friday was a rain filled day, but Saturday had plenty of sunshine and lots of activities. Contests of Pumpkin carving, Best Costumes, and best decorated rig followed a great fall supper of chili, soup, sandwiches, and deserts. This is another time of the year that we have many young children. (Grandparents just naturally want to show-off their own). November 2006- The KOA in Nashville, TN was the site for our group in November. Some ventured out to the old Ryman Auditorium for the Grand Ole Opry and from what I hear it was mostly a time to eat and shop. (That’s the malls for the ladies and Camping World for the men) It’s about time to ‘fold-up’ for the winter. I truly believe that the clock ticks faster than it used to. December 2006- Denny & Elsie Hinkle’s church opened their fellowship hall for us again for our December meeting. It’s a lovely little church way back in the hills, which provided us with a special quiet place to gather. We have 24 families in our club and we are now nearing our 18th year together. Some have grown up and others have grown older, but all have grown together. We will be having our 4-Rivers Jayco Rally in Sturgis, KY- July 6-8, 2007. Come and be with us.
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