Kathleen & Paul Smith's RV Travelblog

Memorial Day Weekend Campout - 2010
Click to add your comment

There's nothing better than getting together with long-time and new friends for a camping weekend of relaxation, conversations, fun activities, a sing-along and roasted "moonmallows" (if you have to ask, do so) around a campfire. For 40 odd (in BOTH senses of the word "odd") years we've enjoyed Memorial and Labor days with friends and family who become ever more special as the years pass. Now in the fourth generation of moon children (if you have to ask do so). It's such a joy to see these new, young and beautiful campers.

We drove from Coarsegold (pleased with having found and enjoyed Park Sierra) and headed north on route CA99. We've not driven CA99 in years and it was a nice change from I-5.

We quickly reached Mother lode Fairgrounds in the heart of historic Sonora, CA. For the first time since we've been stayed there, it looked "full." But we need not worry - there's plenty of space for campers and RVers.

A large area of the campground was reserved for a group of motorcycle enthusiasts. Their machines were things of beauty! Many had the tiniest of tents, and there were at least 40 sites.

Here are a few shots of the fancy three-wheelers as well as some BMWs.

With all these machines and people, we thought, "noise!" We were wrong! It was the largest and quietest group we've seen! It was a pleasure to share the camp with them!

We spent Saturday morning in the Foretravel, making pasta for granddaughter Juliana. When we finally made it to camp, many had already set up their sites. One granddaughter was in heaven. Becky was absolutely ecstatic when her dad pushed her as high as he could. Some of the fellows in camp (mainly Jim Mullarkey) created the swing. She loved flying through the air!

In time most of the youngsters (and some adults) had their "time" on the fabulous swing!

Swinging was not the only activity. We have "serious" card players, and the game is open to young and old alike!

Knitting and needle work is often a popular activity

Happily we have among us, the youngest of the campers who preferred crayons, stick-ons and markers to card playing!

The young boys found that the river/stream afforded them a lot of fun activities...

Julianna and friend Caitlin were testing the waters further up the stream. That meant their "shadows" (Catie and Becky) wanted to do everything and anything the teenagers did. Catie was the first to be "escorted" down the icy river by Juliana and Caitlin

Followed by a delighted Becky

Becky, Caitlin, Catie and Jules pose for the camera after their icy rides!

Uncle Paul has been nursing a severe ear ache (ruptured ear drums) and Becky offers a few words of comfort to him.

"The water is cold at the edges, but warm in the middle" promised Catie and Becky to Daniel who tried to believe them by testing the water temperature...

Daniel's dad, Oscar, appears on the scene and is prepared to show his son that it's "not a problem!"

He jumped right in!

So Daniel tried to imitate his dad ... but no matter where he goes, it is COLD!!!

Having witnessed Oscar's brave challenge of the water, the girls want to see if Chet is up to the challenge....

Catie, Caitlin, Juliana and Chet vie for who is going to get "dunked" ....

Like Oscar, Chet opts to full immersion!

On Sunday afternoon everyone in camp was invited to present himself or herself to the campfire area for "something special"

Everyone listened to the directions given by Andrea and Benji... (How well did we know one another?)...

We all had an opportunity to guess which person "fit" the description Andrea read ... we learned who among us had gone sky diving, who had traveled over the highest road in the world, who could play a trumpet, who rode a two wheel bicycle at the age of two!

And even who was able to make her elbows meet!

The person who had the most correct guesses won the prize of the autographed guitar (courtesy of Casey). (Rachael won!)

And we leave with a picture of Andréa's beautiful "new" tattoo ... notice how the leaves fall down her leg and rest on her foot?

Chris and Chet had a formidable trip ahead of them. Their plans were to drive from camp to Livermore, leave the "camping" car at the fire station, and pick up the other car already packed for the "graduation" trip and head toward Eureka, CA to be present at Miriam's high school graduation and Gabe's 8th grade graduation. They won't make everything, but they will be on hand to celebrate with their close friends a special new phase in the young people's lives. Chris's friend, Tisa, is so special that we call her "daughter 2.5" and we wish Tisa, Al and their two graduates, Miriam and Gabe, warm congratulations!

But all good things must come to an end, and Paul Jr was really not feeling well. He began taking down all the ropes and covers he had set up on Friday. We helped where we could, and in fairly short time, Michelle, Miriam, Jules, Caitlin and ourselves helped Paul Jr ready for the trip back to the Bay Area

They were packed and moving out before long. We followed them and headed back to Sonora ourselves, before the last campfire of the weekend. Shortly after our return to Sonora we enjoyed a beautiful sunset

It was a great experience, as usual, and we carry with us fond and happy memories of another Memorial Weekend.

Love and Peace, Paul and Kathleen

Next Earlier Item

Next Later Item

Life on the Road with Paul & Kathleen: "Not bad for two dumb kids from Ohio" - Proving once again that it's never too late to have a happy childhood

Our Lazy Daze at Kirk Creek Camp on CA Hwy 1 40 mi N of Hearst's Castle 11/24/03: Shortly after full-timing began.	Turkey Buzzard at our campsite in Big Bend NP 5/24/06