Fun, chores

Yesterday, we went to the impromptu beach and took a swim. Emo thought he needed to come out to see me, so he kept swimming out to me and then swimming back towards shore where he could touch bottom. There is an earthen (really stone and gravel) dam there that goes about a quarter mile to an island, after swimming we walked out there. Saw some dead fish, long and narrow with long snouts and teeth, I'll have to ask someone what they are. Emo was worn out on the walk back. After that, we drove up north to get gas, then back home. 

Today, I slept in a bit, watched Obama's news conference, and we went in search of a laundry. The GPS on the Blackberry sent me on two wild goose chases, first time I'd tried it. It got me to the address it thought was a laundry, but they were not laundries. I shut it off, went to the little town outside LBL, and found a place easily. It is a car wash and a coin laundry, and it has a bay with no roof at all, so I think I will wait until I need water to dump, fill up, wash the bugs off the front of the RV, and do laundry. Emo enjoyed the driving today, and hanging around the car wash/laundrymat wasn't too bad. When I got back, I did dishes and cleaned the floor (dog food, dog hair) and now we have the black tank 1/3 full, grey tank still sitting on E, and the fresh water tank reading 1/3. Each tank has 3 sensors, so I have between 1/3 and 2/3 tank fresh water. I think we will need to make one trip to the dump station, fresh water being the limiting factor.

Two people I met, one lady at the gas station after the southern end of LBL, she was at the pumps in a Lazy Daze Mid-Bath. I approached her and started talking RVs, as I studied a lot about Lazy Daze before I bought the Winnie. She asked for directions, and I happened to have an extra LBL map to give her. Nice lady, she says she half times, 3 months traveling, 3 months at home.

The others were a couple. I had just crossed the US68/KY80 bridge from Camden going across the lake, it is a narrow bridge, My turn to go back to Energy Lake campground is right after the bridge, but there was a pickup/travel trailer rig in the way. I went around and asked the lady ground guiding her husband if they were OK? She said, "I think so, the window broke, we're going to pull in here and look." Turns out a semi had clipped the outside mirror, slamming it back so it broke the driver's side window. The old gentleman and his wife were fine, I gotta give him credit for holding it straight on that narrow bridge after that! They cleaned up and he intended to head on to their destination at KenLake State Resort then try to find a Ford dealer.

When I got back this evening, I saw a motorcycle camper a couple sites down, I may talk to him some about motorcycle camping. 

Things I miss:

Motorcycle

Washer and dryer in basement

Soup at Lihn's restaurant

Familiar AA and lots of it

that's about it. There's something to balance out each of those, too.

Tomorrow, maybe a long hike? I wonder if Emo will want to go along?

Camping @ LBL

This is camping heaven. There are basically 3 types of camping here. 

You can get a backcountry pass for $14, it is good for one year from date of purchase. This allows you to camp in several areas, good for backpacking, car camping in the woods in many, many places, and camping at some of the boat launch sites. There are some nice campsites even for an RV at some of the launches, with a picnic table, fire ring, lake access, but no trash pick-up or water, and maybe a porta-potty. That's fine with me, the one on the southwest part has tons of trails nearby, it is PERFECT for RV boondocking. 14 day limit, then you have to move a mile.

For $9/night, half price if you are 60 and get your Senior pass, and small discounts for longer stays ($113 for 14 days) you can get into a little more developed campground, with a dumpster, a brick bathhouse, and central water tap. There is a full time attendant volunteer at these. They are nice! No RV hook-ups, and I think you can stay 21 days. There are many of these, almost all with lake access, you choose sun or shade, etc.

There are sites with hook-ups. The campground I am in, Energy Lake, is $12/day, half for seniors, plus $6/day if you have electric. So, I'm paying $18/day, electric only, a senior would pay $12. There is a shower house, dump stations are available at the north and center centers, dumpsters, water spigots, and contractors who do a good job of keeping everything clean. There are two campgrounds that offer full hook-ups, $28 or $32 per night. 

I love it, love it, love it. I want to come here in the spring or fall, and dry camp with the RV. I want to kennel the dog and come down here on the motorcycle, there are great roads to explore. I want to stop by here every spring and fall when I fulltime!

I also found a really neat place, tomorrow I'm driving out in swimming trunks and taking my water shoes, and I'm going to swim with Emo. He'll flip! And there are lots of trails I want to do, too, but highs in the 90's are challenging! But, I like it hot.

Typical $9/night campsite

This Blue Heron was hanging out by the campground pictured above, he did not seem a bit concerned about my presence. I was hoping he would fly off so I could get a picture, but I wasn't going to shoo him.

Sunset from my bedroom window.

A good place

Stubborn beast!

Today started with a good breakfast, then we hiked the 2.1 mile loop trail that starts two campsites down. There is a cut-off that shortens it to 2.1 miles, the other connecting loop is 4 miles, it's 5-1/4 all the way around. It was a good little two miler for today, with temps eventually getting into the 90's.

Back to the a/c for a nap, lunch, then we went for a drive. Emo got to swim several times. I really enjoy going down these forest roads in the Subaru. Beautiful woods here. We saw another turkey, a blue heron, a lizard, and the turtle above. He would NOT move. I drove slowly around him, and about a quarter mile later at Ferguson Spring I saw a turtle 3 times as big in the water, but it swam away before I got a picture. On the way back out that road, I saw another turtle in the road I stopped and talked to as I went by him, and our friend above.

The maps here are easy to follow, I use one they give to hunters that I got a few years ago, in addition to the usual road map they give out. There are other trail maps I have, too, for walking. We went to Hematite Lake and hiked over the earth dam and back, about a quarter mile each way. We stopped lots of places while driving, to let Emo swim, or me eat an apple, or just to soak it all in.

A couple mosquito bites, but NO TICKS! I love it. I just got back from the shower house, and I can use it just fine, in fact it's nice to have unlimited hot water. We may last a long time before I have to dump, if I get dog water from the spigot and put some of the dishwater down the toilet.

Everything here has exceeded expectations so far, we are in paradise again. Just gotta dodge those turtles!

Interesting meeting trip

I went to a meeting last night, 3 parts - getting there, the meeting, and getting back.

Getting there, I did NOT see a smashed turtle on the section where I dodged one. I did see another turtle smashed on a different road, so I know now what a run over turtle looks like. I did see, very much alive, two turkeys, a grey fox, and some deer. Dead on the road, several skunks (phewww). 

There were 6 of us at the step meeting, and 3 guys had over 30 years. My 18 years was the shortest time there. They read the second half of step 12 in the 12x12, about sober living, and we had a good discussion. I took a lot away from the meeting, and plan to go next week.

On the way back, on the 3 mile stretch from the Nature Center to the campground, I found myself dodging frogs. It had rained a little, and these little frogs were out in the road, and sometimes jumping, sometime just sitting in the road. I did my best to swerve in such a way as to hit the fewest number of frogs, but I must have got a handful of them. I double checked my sobriety and sanity, and, yes, the road was full of frogs.

Well, it's a beautiful morning, it's going to be a scorcher, so I'm going to get a hike in early.

Set up at Land Between the Lakes

We made it here in fine shape, got here about noon. We are all set up. It's about 90F here today, so we are thankful for the air conditioning. Got level, put the slide out, set up the satellite dish, and now I'm on the internet. In the middle of the forest! This site is a bit pricey, but I think it's worth it. We have the site until July 8 if I decide to stay, I'm all paid up. Here's a picture of this wonderful pull-thru site.

Here we are at site D7, Energy Lake Campground, Land Between the Lakes.

When I checked in, I asked about the trails, and the volunteer said they are all open. They had a lot of damage from the ice storm back in January.

View from the front.

I think I might have got a turtle on the way in. He was a big one, I think I missed him with the motorhome, by the time I saw him and saw what he was, I drove so he was under the RV, but I am afraid the Subaru tires might have hit him. I don't know, maybe he got lucky.

View from the picnic table under the awning. Hope the bugs aren't bad, there might be several meals eaten here.

I'm very close to the restroom/showerhouse, so if I take a few showers there, I can probably keep my trips to the dump station to one, and another on the way out. It's a pain to pack everything up and have to re-level, etc. We are really roughing it here.

Well, the White Sox - Cubs game is on in 8 minutes, gotta go. I'll put on shorts and take Emo for a stroll in a little while. He was happy when he saw where we moved to. I tied him to the picnic table while I set up, and he kept going back in the RV the little way the leash allowed. He knew the air conditioner would be on soon! I'm stocked up on Chuck food and Emo food, full water, a case of bottled water, re-filled my medicine, we are ready to have some fun. More pics of this wonderful place later.

Short hike in mud, Little Lusk Lodge

Double click on the images for full size.

Well, we got out and had a little fun today. We went for a drive, and I decided to try to hike the trail to Indian Kitchen. I took a bath in DEET before we left the trailhead, and still found a tick when we got back (I'm blogging in my underwear). There has been so much rain here, the horse/hike trail had a lot of mud.

Muddy trail.

We did go back about a mile, before it just got so bad I had to turn around. This would be a good hike in drier weather. We took a drive through the country, went to a state recreation area with a road closed gate, then on the way back I passed a forest sign, crossed a creek, and saw a mud road heading off into the woods. We Subarued back to a wide spot next to a beautiful creek, and took a good long break.

Pretty creek, and a nice soothing sound.

Ah, nice and cool now!

When we got back, I decided to take some pictures of Little Lusk Trail Lodge where we are staying. Lonnie and Peggy have been great, Lonnie has had surgery and some not-so-good news while I've been here, but they drive by a couple times each day. I can always talk to them if I want, or if I don't, they keep going. The place is large, not pictured are several shaded sites in a different area, and several buildings and horse accommodations. Most nights there is a gathering somewhere in or around the Lodge. It's beautiful inside.

Part of the inside of the Lodge.

There is a huge porch on the back of the Lodge.

Here is the view from the porch. My RV is barely visible under the tree on the far right side of the picture.

Across from our site are some horse campers. They have 3 beautiful horses. The trailers these folks use are like 5th wheel toy haulers, horses in back, living quarters for people in front.

Here's the view from two sites to the left of us. The little pond has a swimming beach. There are trails going into the woods slightly outside each edge of this picture. Lonnie and Peggy's land borders the National Forest, so you can hike or ride straight into the forest and get on the trails from the campground.

I've enjoyed my stay here, no complaints, but I'm really looking forward to Land Between the Lakes. I think I'll shower this DEET off now, and go to Carrier Mills for the 7PM meeting.

Chores

Laundry, prescription refill, haircut, Chinese buffet, AA meeting, online banking, walk the dog, groceries, checked - no storm damage, empty holding tanks, car wash, what happened to vacation?

Decision made, big storm

It's raining bullfrogs right now, it started about 9:30 tonight and from the radar, it looks like we are in for a long one. Emo is scared, there is a lot of thunder and lightning. The ONLY time he ever gets into bed with me is when we are in the RV and there is a thunderstorm. I was looking out the back window, there were some big lightning strikes. The power has had some glitches.

We went and scouted Land Between the Lakes today, and reserved an electric campsite D7 at Energy Lake. Almost the best possible scenario, I will have electric hook-up, a shaded site in the forest overlooking the lake, satellite TV with my new VuQube, the only irritation is no water or sewer hook-ups, so I'll have to go to the dump station a time or two. No big deal. LBL is a great place with tons of roads and trails, lots of water, everything we could want. I will go there June 17 and head back towards Dayton July 8.

My world

Here are some pictures, the first two were taken from my usual seat kicking back on the U-dinette in the RV.

Ball game on the Direct TV, coffee, computer, what more can I want?

Horses right outside my window.

This is the Allovus House, where I've been going to meetings.

Good meeting tonight, 3 of us, but we talked recovery for about an hour and a half. Life is good, so is this ice cream...why did I really go to town tonight?

Lazy Days

Sorry, no pictures this time.

We've been taking things slow, got out a couple times, but no big hikes or car trips to speak of. The ticks here are horrible! Part of the objective for me, for these long summers, is to see if we can live in the RV for extended periods. Well, yes. We have not been the least bit claustrophobic or wanted for anything (except ice cream...). Emo has seemed content even with me watching softball until my eyes bled, and dragging around for a couple days. He likes the life of leisure, too, but he really likes it when we load into the Subaru and get going.

I've decided to move soon, probably to Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky. We will go down there probably tomorrow to reconnoiter it. I have maps from a trip there a few years ago, just an overnighter in the winter to look at eagles, but I really was impressed with it. It looks like there will be several places to camp with the solar panels and decent size tanks. There are 3 dump stations there, too.

I'm paid up here for another 10 days or so, so we will take our time making our move, and make sure we haven't missed anything. I don't think so, maybe another car trip to the western side of the forest to see a couple sights, but I am reluctant to do any long hikes in the woods because of the ticks. I'll go into town one last time to get a meeting, refill a prescription, and stock up on groceries. I'm glad they moved the Klondike bars from the prominent freezer on the end of the first aisle, they got me once.