Aug 26, Thursday This rally, sponsored by Gary and Tom, has generated some great anticipation in the NOVA community with hints and teasers that the Bigfoot-themed gathering would host some unique happenings! The location was Salt Fork State Park – a well-known locale for “I see a SQUATCH” sightings. I made buttons for the rally, and Hunting Permits! (Can you find the hidden messages and details in the permit?) Sightings have been reported at the following locations in Salt Fork State Park:
Check-in at the campground was not until 3:00, but we were so anxious to be off that we headed out at 9:15 . . . arriving at 1:30. Our congregating area was in Loop C – which had been scoped out months ago by our hosts, and was one of the best locations in the campground for a group gathering. We were in the shade all afternoon, full hookups, and shower house right across the street. At 4:00 we assembled at Gary/Tom’s campsite for happy hour, appetizers, and a rousing game of Flamingo-ringo. Everyone played, and those that won in round one entered round two, then round three . . . where Suzie was declared the ultimate winner. Prizes for every ringer! As it got dark, we gathered in the deep woods behind the campsite (spooky!) and a bigfoot video flashed up on the side of the silver-“screen” trailer! It was all about sasquatch sightings in Salt Fork State Park, and served to set the tone for this rally. Big Foot in this area is often referred to as Grassman! As the evening wore on the temperature was theoretically going down; but the humidity seemed to be going up, and the air movement was non-existent under the tree canopy. I sat until I was so wet, that I headed off to the camper for a cool-down shower. Aug 27, Friday Breakfast began at 8:00 – a variety of sweet breads, fried donuts, and fruit! Gary outlined the events for the day and Brad, talked about the Region 4 Rally. At 11:00 a group left to go rent a pontoon boat for a little lake experience. Tom and I did not go -- no pictures! Alan left with us for lunch at the lodge, and we ran into Sue and Mike just as we were being seated. The lodge was handsome and the dining room offered picturesque views of the pool and the lake. The fish sandwich was enormous, and the garlic bologna was excellent. I got crispy chicken wings that were . . . very crispy. At 4:00 we collected for happy hour, drinks, and snacks. Later we moved over to a grove of trees where “Bigsby” – a Sasquatch/Big Foot/Grassman Pinata – patiently waited. Wanting to stretch this game out and make it more difficult, Bigsby was set to swinging, and a tree limb was used instead of a bat. A Covid mask was used for eye cover! First up was Sue. On the third try she whacked Bigsby out of the park, and he dropped all his goodies! So much for drawing it out! Dinner was an open grill – one grill was set up for everyone to use, and along with your choice of meat you brought the rest of your food on a plate. It was still hot, muggy, and buggy, and we opted to not light a fire. We also moved out from under the trees to sit in the open where nature was a little more friendly. Still, I sat in my chair and melted and soon headed in for a shower. Aug 28, Saturday Breakfast was served again this morning - followed by a hike led by a Ranger, back to a sandstone overhang/cave. Tom went, but I did not. It was a short hike, and the Ranger was full of information about the cave formation. There was a Potluck dinner in the evening. Gary and Tom asked people to bring their “signature” dish, hoping to generate a large variety of food. They provided Sloppy Joe Sandwiches which were the best I have ever had. Tom told me, confidentially, that the Sloppy Joes were from a “real recipe!” People did contribute their best recipes resulting in a true smorgasbord of foods and flavors; it was a simply amazing spread. After dinner we once again settled in the open air of the loop road, hoping for a breeze. It was tolerable, until in the space of 5 minutes I felt like the heat and humidity ramped up to chase me inside. Aug 29, Sunday
We were awake at 7:30 and in no hurry to set a record for taking off – we had coffee and sat and chatted awhile; at 9:30 we headed for home. We had two days to rearrange our camping style from rally mode to full-on vacation mode.
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October 2021
We don’t go camping any more . . . we go ‘streamin’ ! The “SIlvermine and His” is our 2018 25' Airstream Serenity with Salsa interior and front twin beds., and ‘streamin’ is the name we use to describe our adventures. Stream along as we document everything from weekend trips to longer summer excursions and full-blown vacations. You know what they say: if you’re not in an Airstream – you’re just camping!
Tom & Ella Brown |