Bruce and I were ready to unwind after a busy couple weeks. Though it seems we camp a lot (and we due in the Spring and Summer). Camping offers us a great respite from business calls and paperwork, as well as household chores and projects. After several days of heavy rain and a tornado warning, the weather had settled and we were packed and headed out the door by 2 p.m. As much as I want to think it is a turn key operation, I don't think we will ever fully be able to have that experience. Tying everything up with the business with a nice neat bow never happens. The calls always come in between noon and 3 as we are preparing to leave, but I want to make notes when a call comes in so we don't forget about it upon our return. It is purely a me thing. I am that person who wants the house completely clean and laundry done before I head out on a trip.
As Bruce made a left turn onto Rt. 87, I questioned whether he was going the right way. He assured me he was. I checked the GPS address because I thought it would take longer to get to the state park. Bruce eyed me suspiciously. We confirmed we were headed to the correct place. With so many state park campgrounds under our belt, it can get confusing. We both discussed our memories of camping at Mosquito Lake, but when we pulled in and were directed to our site, we realized we had the wrong campground in mind. Though it did have the dog beach and park that I was thinking of. Vindication!! Bruce thought those amenities were at campground we stayed at in New York.
When driving to our site, we remembered the area we camped out the last time we came. Six months ago when making the reservations, I had chosen a spot right across the street on the outer edge of the circle. We were thankful to be on the high ground as the lake had flooded it's banks and many sites were underwater or had ankle deep water surrounding their trailer. Even setting up seemed to give us reason for pause, wanting to be certain that we had the trailer tip ever so slightly so the condensation from the air conditioner would drip off the back of the camper instead of the front. It was expected to be in the mid 90s the full weekend of our trip.
It was hot, but not oppressive and we took Kenobi for a walk and returned to the site for a dinner of BBQ ribs and potatoes. The sun had gone to the west offering us a respite from it's rays. We ate outside and even enjoyed a campfire, until the rain came through at 8p.m. We simply retreated inside and watched "The Crown". We were hoping to have completed it before we went to London in April, but were just beginning the final season. The rain was consistent, but not heavy. I often think of it as a cloud that is so heavy with humidity that it has to rip open and get rid of the weight of the water. By morning, the rain was done and did not return for the rest of the trip. On Saturday, we took a bike ride after we woke. We rode around the campground and to the marina and returned to make a hearty breakfast. The heat was starting to build. Bruce removed the pull out sink slide that we have never used and made a storage space for our Blackstone grill in it's place. I placed 2 new stickers on the trailer including a "Traventure 2" sticker our friend made for our trip in October, as well as a Mosquito Lake Campground sticker.
In what has become our normal Saturday camping tradition after our biking, kayaking or hiking, Bruce , Kenobi and I visit a local winery (or ice cream shop.) This weekend it was a visit to Country Porch Winery. As usual, Kenobi was a very good boy and people ask to pet him. A very nice family, a self proclaimed " dog family", asked if they could pet him including 2 young girls. Obi was loving the attention! The quote of the weekend was declared when the older girl announced " I don't want a husky anymore. I want a Kenobi." So sweet and gave us big smiles!
As for the winery, it is our 2nd visit. We appreciate the quietness outside and being able to bring Obi. They even brought him some additional cool water on this hot weekend. We enjoy their flatbread and dove into their Off Your Rocker Raspberry Sangria (I think that was the name.) Best sangria of the summer so far!!
We sat outside into the evening and even had a campfire, which were both a bit surprised at given the heat. There was a nice breeze and it made it comfortable. It was June 21st, the longest night of the year. It was still fairly light out when we headed inside for the night around 10p.m. I was glad I didn't plan on using the projector to watch a movie fireside.
Sunday morning came and I hopped out of bed and onto my bike for a 6 mile ride around the campground and marina. By the time I returned I needed a cool shower as the heat was building. We have really wanted to train Kenobi on the kayaks and Bruce was certain this was the weekend. With all the heavy rains from the week before the lake water was high and it gave us a good opportunity to use the water covered beach area to test him on the kayak without being fearful the water would be too deep. It was an adventure. We decided he would ride with Bruce since Bruce had more balance and a longer kayak. We discussed in detail putting on his life jacket and testing Kenobi in the water with it, but Bruce was fearful that would be too many new things. So with only his collar and leash on he floated on the kayak with Bruce. Trying to get him comfortable enough that he would sit was an issue right off the bat. But Bruce was confident he would be fine. After 4 minutes and in deeper water Kenobi decided to jump off the kayak and into the lake. The poor panic in his eyes when he realized he couldn't walk on water, match Bruce's panicked eyes when he realized he could grab him to put him back in the boat. As Obi thrashed at the boat, Bruce was uttering strong language as he tried to remove his life belt. I still do not understand the logic of that. Anyway, once the belt was off, Bruce jumped from his kayak to save Obi. He grabbed Obi and pulled him to his chest, to discover the water was only chest deep on him and he could walk and carry Kenobi back to shore. Then Bruce's panic was placed on me as he imagined his kayak floating to the center of the lake and he was unable to reach it because he had the dog. In his heightened state he was yelling instructions to me about the kayak that I could barely hear and understand. I was fine. Bruce and Obi were safe and I only needed to adjust my thought process of towing in his kayak with mine as the wind had picked up and the side by side method wasn't working.
I watched Bruce carry Kenobi to shore and encouraged his swimming for the last 15 feet. The water was more shallow, but Kenobi still couldn't reach the bottom , but he finally begin to to the doggy paddle which was more of a splash paddle. As soon as Obi could touch the bottom he did a four legged Tigger bounce through the water to the shore. When I got to shore, Bruce apologized for his exuberant reaction to his kayak. He realized it was over the top and I had it handled. Still catching our breathe, we placed the life jacket on Kenobi and had him back on the kayak. We were surprised he went so willingly. Staying close to shore Kenobi rode in the kayak. He has still yet to find a sitting position that is good for him and Bruce. We also realized that I need to be in sight or he begins to whine and rock the kayak. It is still a training in process, but I would call it successful. We rewarded him with treats and a visit to the dog park and beach so he could play with other doggos.
After a bit, we returned to the cool trailer to grab a bite to eat before Bruce and I headed out for a paddle around the lake. By that point the heat was so oppressive we only made it a mile and a half before we head back to the trailer. The A/C was phenomenal. Between my morning bike ride and 2 kayaking trips, even though short, I was done with the heat. I stayed inside and stitched and finished an audio book until mid evening when I sat outside for an hour or so. We played Jenga in the trailer and enjoyed a nice dinner. We debated leaving in the evening due to the heat, but we decided we still needed to be away from the work that awaited us at home. We left the next morning after we woke up.
Reflection: It was a surprise trip in a way considering we both thought we were going somewhere different. Many times when there is a change in plans or a direction I am headed, it can send me for a loop of "what experience I am missing" instead of enjoying where I am. This weekend, even though it was "standing on the sun hot" on the last day, it was a great trip and we were able to do all the things we enjoy when camping. It was not exactly the weekend I planned, but that doesn't make it bad, just different. When was the last time I played Jenga - 13 years ago?
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