FOURTH ANNUAL May 2006 North-South Lake "Roughing it with Rick Rally"

[SheBantam]

Looked at your directions and mapquested it, mapquest is estimating a little over 4 hours and that is not towing and my poor 6 cylinder F150 with the Bantam in tow (and that is packed to the gills) even with wheaties would not like the climb...I knew it was a good drive. The few electronics I carry even if left at home would not amount to much weight loss...

I was up 9W, not that far north last fall and it was beautiful up there. But ahve to work Saturday and Sunday is my anniversary, you all know Raymond, and camping is not his thing.

My next outing will be in coordination with a work function at Killens Pond SP in June. the "day of forced fun" will be on Friday, I will be going up Thursday afternoon to set up, and after 3:00 on Friday will have the rest of the weekend to enjoy the area.

If anyone wants to join us, you all are welcome. Waterpark will be open.
then the following month, I will be taking a long weekend and going back with this group.  
That is Fair Week so the park will be packed, and if you have never been to the Delaware State Fair, well if you like livestock, and politicians (this is a Federal Election year so they will each have a booth in the commercial exhibits), this is the place for YOU!!  
there are concerts at night (NOT FREE) and the Slots are open...I may take a run up there and look at the goings ons...Oh look around the Fair, NOT the slots...lost too much at Cherokee...three whole rolls of nickels...

[jazman]

Hi Guys,

You probably were wonder what happened to Erika & I this weekend, we made it as far as the front gate of the park.

After a 6.5 hour trailer drag, we show up at the gate of the park where a young lady informs us that it's after nine o'clock and we can't come into the park.

I knew Rick had said they weren't happy about people showing up after nine pm but I though it would be something like "you can pull into your site, but you can't  set up till morning" type of thing along with the typical scowling ranger admonishment to be there on time.

I tried to make my case but the upshot of the conversation was we don't care what you do, but your not coming in here 'til seven am.

I guess I got a little loud with the young lady, because she called the ranger over. At that point, being in full "cut off nose to spite face" mode, when the older lady suggested parking on the street outside the park and waiting 'til seven  I said something along the line of "I'm so mad right now I couldn't have a good time if Donald Trump gave me a million bucks".

So we drove home, and got in at 4:30 this morning.

And in backing in with out a ground guide I poked a hole in the back of my new camper when I missed the driveway and tapped a tree.

So kids,after $130 in gas and 13 hours of my life I'll never get back, what did we learn from this latest mis-adventure?

1. No driving more than 2 hours for a weekend campout.

2. While state parks are certainly more scenic, and have much more room between campsites, I'm done dealing with all the rules, e.g. specific check-in times, no pets (as in the NJ parks), etc. Unless there is a compelling reason, I'm only doing private campgrounds from here on out. The exception being Watkins Glen in June, I already paid for the site.

3. Don't back up at night with out a ground guide.

Hope y'all had a funner time than we did  :compumad:

jazman

[DiW]

Sorry John, that you had such a frustrating time. Like you, we've had a tough time getting there before the time limit. We called and said we were on the way, stuck in traffic. I think maybe I arrived before Chris and was able to do the registration and they let him in around 10 and he went directly to the site  (but they were expecting him and had his info already). Don't think they were happy - think they warned us not to be late again...I don't understand why they make you get there that early. I would think 10pm or even 11pm would be fine...I don't like when people come after midnight and proceed to setup with superbright lights but even then, so what? YOu put up with it and all is forgotten the next day. The only reason I can see for insisting on 9pm is that they want to restrict the camping to locals. Most people can't leave before 7pm (after getting home from work) and that means you have to live fairly close. The rangers don't leave at 9 so I don't see what the problem is. Did you call them beforehand? How late did you arrive? Obviously the ranger was still there - and she knew you were camping with a group - so you would only be disturbing your friends    In any case, I'm sorry we missed you. I still haven't seen the new camper. Chris & I stopped up just for the day. Did a short hike (along the top of the waterfall) and had a group bar-b-que. Didn't experience rain this time but the wind was crazy. Maybe you'll find a cg down your way and we can come to you next time.

COTOC group - it was great to see you all again and nice to meet some new people. Ann(e?) and Andy, have a great trip to England. Hope you can camp with us again and tell us all about it. Scott, thanks for saving the day with that tarp and the nice fire to warm up with. Tracy, it was great being with my "sis" again - thanks for your hospitality... Andy and Helga, hope Rocco recovers soon. And RIck & Steph, hope your battery held up to keep you warm. Still love your cg - we just need to pick a warmer season to camp   . At least it didn't pour this time. And Rick, it helps to wear pants (haha).

Di

[tlhdoc]

Where is everyone else???

I didn't get home until 1890/6:30 PM and only Di and John posted.  John I wish you would have stayed.   I am glad I wasn't waiting for a bed with you, I wouldn't want to go all the way to your house after driving to the park.   Sorry you missed the trip and poked a hole in your new camper.  At least you are experienced at patching them.
 
I took the camper back to the dealer and then stopped to see my Mom for a 1/2 hour.  KC found chipmunks under my Mom's side porch.  She started digging for them.  I had a good time, but I am so tired now I don't want to unpack the Explorer.  Scott thank you again for the tarp to block the gale force winds coming in off of the lake Saturday night.  When I went back to the camper it was 42 degrees F at the park.  I will post more later....

[dademt]

Well guys, we made it back safe and sound.  We really had a blast.  That has got to be one of the best campgrounds ever (other then them being so strict with John ).  The sites were great, the views were even better, but by far the best was hanging out with everyone.  Next year we will have to make sure to dress more for the weather.  I told my father about the tarp and he told me to keep it for future events in case we ever needed it again.  Andy, I will keep an eye out for resturants around here that actually serve two stuffed lobster tails in case you ever get down this way.  My friends Anne and Andy had a blast.  Yesterday and today they were asking twenty questions about towing and popups.  If not they are at least going to look into a new tent.  Either way they are eager to do more camping.  Well, I will sign off for now.  Hopefully will get our fridge working in the next couple weeks.

[andym86]

Hi everyone
We made it back just fine,I believe around 3 or 3:30PM.
No traffic,beautiful weather and we must have seen a 100 or more Harley's.Did you see them too,Tracy?
Anyway,it was a great weekend,2 birthday's in 2 weeks ,we are party animals,he he.
The big tarp saved the evening for the BBQ except for the guy's in shorts. Scott let me know about the lobster tails.I hope Andy,Anne and Lady(?) camp with us again.
Rick and Steph,hope you enjoyed the afternoon and the sunset.
Diane and Chris,glad you made it up for the BBQ.

Well John,I am really sorry that you didn't make it past the gate.
We were waiting and every time we noticed some head lights,we were hoping it was you.Then we figured that you might be coming up on Sat. morning,because you couldn't leave on friday,etc and then Rick went to the office on sat.to find out if you called/what happened because we were starting to get worried.I can only imagine what you feel right now,but glad to see that you and Erika are alright.
I think,we'll just have to come down and visit you,how is that?

I talk to all of you later.

Andy

PS. Stopped at campers barn,propane is now $12.95,not $8.00 anymore and they do not do partial fill.And they had no "FIRESTICKS"

[copcarguy]

Hey all!
 
We got home an hour ago... We stayed until 6 something. After 3pm, the place was empty, except for us and an old Class C Chevy that pulled into Scott's site.  It was a beautiful afernoon.  Sabrina was literally pink from the red dirt and would "poof" out a dustcloud when you petted her, so she got a complete scrubbing with the outside shower. Thanks to all for a great weekend! It was great to see everyone and meet new friends. I am glad everyone (except John) had a good time.
 
jazman: I am really sorry about what happened. It really sucks. We even looked for scones for tea so we could have a lumberjack party. (No, I am not kidding!) We were worried about you. I was thinking in the future that we should have everyone's cell phone number that has plans to attend a trip. I went to the Ranger Station and asked what happened to you after not seeing you. We gave you till noon - 1pm. The girl said "Did he have 3 dogs, a little black truck, a big trailer, and drive really far to get here?" I said that would be you and she said you "turned around" after she didn't let you in at like 9:45 - 10pm. Sorry buddy...
 
dademt: I went to your site about 3pm to steal some wood and found a little sippy cup straw thingy filled with hot chocolate you guys left on the table. It's washed and in my camper. You can have it back in 4 months at Locust Lake. LOL!
 
tlhdoc: I just searched radioshack.com and a Radio Shack about 20 miles from me is showing just one of those battery chargers still in stock for $19.97. It's on my way to work so I'll leave a few minutes early tomorrow and hopefully pick it up.
 
Thanks to everyone for a great time. I hope you all had fun.

[copcarguy]

Tracy - the Radio Shack didn't have the charger they showed in stock when I got there...  :mad:   I found the last one at another Radio Shack about 30 miles north of here.  I got up early and picked it up before work this morning.  It works really really well - in fact better than my "real" one.  Thanks again for letting me borrow yours at North Lake.

[tlhdoc]

Tracy - the Radio Shack didn't have the charger they showed in stock when I got there... :mad: I found the last one at another Radio Shack about 30 miles north of here. I got up early and picked it up before work this morning. It works really really well - in fact better than my "real" one. Thanks again for letting me borrow yours at North Lake.

Your welcome.  It really is a nice little charger.  Did you replace your battery?