Although we’ve camped already in 2012, this was our official “Spring break-out” camping trip. In a few weeks we will have back-to-back camping outings, and this trip was necessary just to make sure everything in the Silvermine was in working order! I called around early in the week to see what State Parks would be open. I assumed that, although April 1st (Sunday) was the official opening date, surely the parks would open for the whole weekend. As I called the various campground offices I was informed that they would NOT open on Friday and Saturday night – and I was also aware that they were tired of getting phone-calls about it! But, then I called Grand Lake St. Mary’s State Park and they said they had opened bath house #6 and had the electricity on and the dump station open. Only 26 miles from us, this was a convenient location and also one of our favorite campgrounds for a quick weekend get-away. After 4 weeks of 60’s and 70’s record-breaking sunny days, the weather suddenly decided to become more seasonal. Friday was predicted to have very strong thunderstorms with dangerous winds and large hail! We made it to the campground by 5:00 with the threat of storms sill anticipated, and the sky certainly confirmed that we might spend the whole evening inside the Silvermine! However, we got set up and walked the dogs, and a few sprinkles came up – but nothing to even keep us from cooking our hamburgers outside on the grill. Out of concession for the dropping temperatures, we did eat inside! On Saturday Caleb came down in the afternoon to join us for a break-out camping dinner: steak and lobster! We picked up some live lobster and T-bones at the local Kroger, and I brought along twice-baked potatoes and fresh pears to go with and Tom brought the outdoor turkey fryer to “do” the lobster! After stuffing ourselves with Lobster, evening entertainment was the Buckeye final four game against Kansas. Tom and Caleb settled down on the big bed to watch the game, and Ella could see all she needed from the front dinette bed! It was close and ended in a 1 point loss for the Bucks! Sunday morning was 39 degrees and we saw no reason to hang around: coffee and an apple Danish, a long dog walk, wake Caleb up and send him on his way, and hook up the Silvermine – we were home by 9:30! Back home again the day warmed up, and the Silvermine got a bath. We have 4 days to clean, restock and pack for the TAC Amish Rally in Wooster, OH at the Wayne County Fairgrounds! Check back next week for a report!
1 Comment
Crystal Baker
4/20/2012 06:53:31 am
Good pics! IL state parks keep one loop open all year, so I camped New Years and the second week in Jan, when weather was in the 50's! Got the pick of the best water-front sites :) Give the pups a hug from me.
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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 |