Camping Trip, Day Two

Saturday, June 6:



We were up by 6:30 a.m., and had a breakfast of wheat bagels, cream cheese, jelly, and fresh fruits...orange, apple, grapes, banana.

The family went separate ways this morning. Daughter, both granddaughters, and the four great-grandsons went to the mall to a photo studio to have pictures taken. Older Daughter, a young granddaughter, a young grandson, and a young great-granddaughter went to a playland, where the kids enjoyed laser games, go-carts, etc., and Hubbie, Mother and I went to a local garden club's "Garden Party," at a local resident's home (see photos in another blog).

But drat it, I discovered that I'd left my digital camera on all night, so the battery was run down, and I had to resort to using Hubbie's small Sure Shot film camera. Then, when we got to the garden, I discovered there were only a few frames left on the roll of film in the camera, so Hubbie had to go to a grocery store and buy another roll. As it happened, the store had only one roll left, so we were lucky to get it.

The garden, on about a half acre of land, features lots of little whimsical garden spots, with paths winding around them. We enjoyed seeing all the clever ways the gardener used found objects, like watering cans, glass rocks, statuary, birdhouses, driftwood, grapevine, branches, and weathered wood to make benches, gateways, and even a gazebo. Her outbuildings were painted and decorated to blend into the whimsical theme. She has several water features, including a small water lilly pond with a stream that flows over rocks to another small pond. Her back porch extends over this little pond. Water irises and other water plants surround or grow within the ponds.

Other water features include a watering can that continually sprinkles, and a round ball with a water spout that flows over pebbles and green glass. The side of one building has a mural of tree limbs and leaves and birdhouses painted on it. There is a "fairy garden," with a small "fairy entrance" gate. Tucked among several of the bushy plants were boom boxes playing soft instrumental music. At the gazebo, visitors could refresh themselves with a variety of homemade cookies, and tea or water.

Today, several booths, selling plants and other garden-related items, were unobtrusively set up around the yard. Mother bought some banana pepper plants, but I didn't find anything I wanted.

It was quite chilly and breezy this morning, and Mother began feeling the effects of it before Hubbie returned from the store with the film and our jackets. Mother and I had worn long-sleeved shirts, but we were still uncomfortable.

The event was from 9 a.m. to noon, and we were ready to head home around 11 a.m. Today, Mother used her walker. Even though the garden was on level ground, she was a little wobbly from being ill, so she felt more comfortable having the walker to steady her. Fortunately, there were colorfully painted metal chairs, and a bench, upon which she could sit and rest.

On the way back home, we stopped at the $1 shop, where I bought six more scrapbook and card making books at $1 each. Even though this shop is called a $1 shop, it has prices ranging upwards to about $5.

From there, we went back to the WDCS to buy more film, and a jar of makeup remover, because wouldn't you know it, I left mine at home.

We rested at the camper for a while, had deli turkey sandwiches for lunch, and then went to Daughter's house to visit. Then we went to Granddaughter's house, so the kids could play in the wading pools and on the slip and slide twister game. It was very windy and cool, and the kids got shivery, but they were unwilling to stop playing in the pools.

We went back to camp about 4 p.m. to feed Shih Tzu and relax for a while. Around 6:30 p.m., we went back to Daughter's for a supper of smoked ribs and sausages, plus leftover chicken from last night, with potato salad, slaw, jalapeno cheese dip with chips or fresh veggies, and fresh fruits. Dessert was fresh strawberries with angel food cake.

Tonight, the newest baby, six months old, kicked up a screaming fuss and could not be comforted. He finally settled down when his mother fed him mashed bananas with rice cereal.

Hubbie and Daughter spent a little time looking over maps in an attempt to plot the best route to Michigan, if we decide to go there in August. About 8:30 p.m., we headed back to camp. Tonight, the moon, still full, and slightly hooded by a cloudy haze, cast a soft reflection on the river and added a glow to the bluffs.