Exploring Campgrounds

One must explore occasionally. Denise and I spent the weekend at Eddy Creek Marina and took the opportunity to explore campgrounds. Exploring with my beautiful wife is most fun. Bailey accompanied us and had so much fun. Must be good to have such a sensitive nose.

We revisited Birmingham Ferry Camp and remain interested. No facilities at the camp except water but best view of Kentucky lake. I think next weekend is our weekend at the Ferry. Dry camping will be a new adventure for us but we are up to the task. No tents for us, just running the generator and living on love. Living on love is the best. The view is worth the trip. However, the water is low now, but Bailey will love getting muddy and making me bathe her. I probably will not have to bathe Denise, damn.

We did check out the camp ground at Kentucky Lake at the lodge. This seems to be a small parking lot with a few trees. No view of the lake or river. Did not appeal to us but sites appear to be suitable as to level and with water and electric. Just for passing through the area as far as we are concerned.

The Hillmans Ferry Campground is open March 2, 2010. All LBL campground will be open on this date. Hillmans is good except crowed in the summer months but does offer good facilities and lake access. Many, Many young children during the warm months. I do not have a problem with children, as long as I do not have to hear, see or care for them. I only believe the same as W. C. Fields, "anyone who hates dogs and kids cannot be all bad". Now I love dogs, but management of dogs is much easier than kids. We may grace the camp ground in the next few weeks before the crowds arrive.

The Eureka Campground pictured above is the best campground we found this year. A new year always brings new adventures for us. We walked the campground (closed now) picking out our camp sites for this year. Many of the sites front along Lake Barkley near the dam. From the reservations web site, it appears we are not alone in desiring this location. Bailey loved the camp with room to run, water and many new smells.

We met a very friendly couple, scoping out site like ourselves. We warned them not to take our sites. We found many sites with good access to the lake, views and ease of entry. The campground includes a good boat ramp with parking. The view and fishing opportunities abound here. This camp ground is only 45 min. from our home and I can envision long weekends here. The camp ground has about 27 camp sites so not to be over crowded. We will have enough people to bore for the weekend.

We have the standard, which is the Canal Camp Ground but will give a bit of a chance to the competing camp grounds. We had such a good experience at Canal due primarily to the hosts there. We have a plan to spend many years of our life full time in the RV and are learning to appreciate the work and opportunities in the new world of RV camping.

Each week I encounter my dream of leaving this world and entering the new world of RV Camping and travel. We want to leave this WORLD to explore a new WORLD in the Admiral. This requires planning and commitment to our goals. We are not leaving a life behind but just starting a new life. We have learned from others, that you will never realize true freedom till you get rid of your stuff and live with what you have. We will do this soon.

Soon may mean a few months or years. However, we are committed to be a team and travel during the next few years. The opportunity to spend years traveling this country with Denise will be the best of my life. We are planning the expenses, debt, home sale or lease and what to do with the stuff. Getting rid of the stuff may be the most fun. Look out Salvation Army, we may beseech you to take our stuff.

So we follow our odyssey.us in order to learn from others and see the life we wish to live.
Well, Bailey says good night and we hope all have fun.

Happy trails to all.

Eddy Creek Weekend

We are located at Eddy Creek Campground for a weekend get a way. The Forest Service and CEO campgrounds do not open till March 1st. and April 1st. in case of the CEO grounds.
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The Eddy Creek Marina Camp Ground is somewhat of an after thought for the development. The marina is the primarily function of the facility and a camp ground seems to be a side line. Many of the sites are leased on a seasonal basis with fifth wheel trailers and porches and decks attached. At this early Spring time, we and one other site is occupied. We can view the lake from here, Lake Barkley but in summer months a view would be difficult due to trees. The Marina offers an excellent boat launch, maintenance, storage and a good restaurant. We would not recommend this camp ground unless all else fails.

Next weekend we may try our hand at "dry camping". See "Winter Seclusion" post. We visited the site today and love the view of Kentucky Lake and the seclusion. No campers there this weekend. Our Dog Bailey truly enjoyed the day, running along the water with all the new smells. Of course she loved the head out the window ride in the area.

Newbie Warrior

After shipping Justin off to fight in a foreign land, We shipped Ethan to the U. S. Army Tuesday evening for basic training at Ft. Knox. I feel as though we have a new generation of young warriors, much more respected and vibrant that my era shipping to Vietnam. Although war is brutal, service of one's country is admirable, necessary and selfless.

Ethan plans to be a Calvary Scout, first in and last out in many circumstances. He has a kind heart to go along with the large, strong body. Most important he has a good mind with an imagination of the best screen writers he so much loves to follow. His new experiences will not be a movie, but reality. His months in training will help Ethan expand his world to include all those from different segments of society, the regions of the U. S. he has not explored and help him learn from those he meets.He is ready and appears to be eager for the experience. All young men need an adventure and this is His.

My ten years of life with Ethan has been more than eventful. I must admit I will miss the "little" boy who ran through our kitchen after his 2ND. football practice in the 5Th. Grade. Mad as hell at his coach for yelling at him and he was never to grace the football field again. Needles to say, His mother returned him the next day and Ethan did complete every season he started. Mother lessons are always the best.

As much as I complained about the Bumper music from his truck, the late night or early morning arrivals, his disaster of a room and other things I should not mention, He will be missed. His heart is always in the right place, He loves my Dog (important)and does think of others. I, Like his Mom, hope the Army creates a good soldier but never hardens that heart.

We look forward to watching his progress into the "real" world. I have a feeling he will not look back and will create his own future. But he had better not try to arm wrestle me in the future for I can still take him. You know, old men never give up and wrinkles are stronger than muscles.

Best of Luck Man!

YOUNG WARRIOR

As has been my misfortune to experience war first hand, I am following my stepson, Justin, into a foreign land and in harm's way. I am not emotional to a great extent, for it is my opinion that all citizens, male and female, should serve their country. However, this young man will be in for the most trying experience, maybe of his life.

His mother carries a heart of worry for him as can be expected. However, if one has not experienced watching a child walk away to cross continents, no one can appreciate the emptiness of that moment. While serving in the military is a welcome experience for most young men and women, the risk and anguish of those left behind is rarely felt by others. The warriors feel invulnerable. Those waiting feel the most vulnerable to the potential visit of strangers bringing news of your loved ones. We can only hope not to experience that visit.

We hear and read daily of the decorated heroes of ours and past eras of war. I ask that each of you think daily of those who serve, faithfully, but are not seen, heard or felt by most of this country. These warriors are daily heroes, not asking for recognition, but just asking to be appreciated.

As Justin embarks on this risky adventure we will keep him in our prayers and thoughts. He will deploy any day to Iraq for a one year tour.

Pride in your service does not seem to surface until many years later. It is my conclusion that this is due to unselfish service to our country and a misunderstanding by the citizens of our sacrifices. We do not want to seem fishing for your gratitude but would like a bit of your respect. Fortunately, the current generation of warriors are receiving this gratitude. When a citizen is never called upon to make a sacrifice that could cost a life, they cannot know the ghost of death that lingers over most of our warriors. This ghost can give you a kiss and say goodbye, or invade your heart and soul, taking your son, daughter, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend or loved one. The ghost has not soul, remorse, feelings, motives, plan, past or future. Only the insatiable need for sustenance provided by our warriors.

May they all be safe!

DECK CHAIRS ON TITANIC

Yep, We finally hit the iceberg!

Several times a year, I am increasingly convinced that the picture above is the reason we need to be full time in the Admiral. Snow began last evening at 7 pm. and continued through the evening. Now I must admit, we did enjoyed the hot tub during the snow fall, all is beautiful and toasty. However, the aftermath of another snow leaves me longing for the beach in Destin, mountains in the northwest and out adventures at Land Between the Lakes.

Since my office is located in my home, I spend a great deal of time in the home. Now, normally I am out 50% of the time on property inspections. But during these snow days, most normal people do not want the appraiser slogging through their home or business. Therefore, Bailey (dog) and I spend a greater percentage of our day or days in the home. Now, I have the required vegetable soup in the pot, dog asleep at my feet and a pot of coffee. But, I am a social animal and need some human interaction. Not that I am in a cave, but sunlight and the freedom to move about is part of my DNA.

Therefore, I tend to bore all of my readers with my whining. Sorry.

Our plans to be full time in the Admiral are encouraged by the winter weather. I suppose I could invest some of this time in my research for the plan to accomplish the transition into vagabonds. That will be a topic for another post.

For the moment, we are basking in the white snow of the Kentucky weather. Enjoying the imposed solitude, hopefully brief. http://www.rv-dreams.com/index.html. While we are housebound, I would suggest all of you view the following web site to follow Katie Spotz, rowing solo across the Atlantic http://rowforwater.com/. Katie will be the youngest to row unassisted across the Atlantic. She is posting from sea and will keep you interested. \

Happy Trails All.