On the (edge of the) water

Another great weekend with Andrew caravanning in the '72 Shasta. Decided last minute to go straight after work to Jordan Lake on Friday instead of Saturday, to get the most out of the terrific weather. And attract more ticks...

Across the way from Greensboro was Larry and his Brazilian wife, both keen fisher folk, who took Andrew under their rods and introduced him to the concept of really catching fish.

And Saturday night, Nancy and David (Floatsome) and Dawn (SandyBottom) and Paul (DancesWithSandyBottom) joined us for dinner.

Just as we were sadly packing up later Sunday afternoon (one of us actually crying that he did not want to leave, actively trying to unpack his bike), Dawn turned up in full sailing regalia, having hopped off their Core Sound 20 Dawn Patrol, to say, "Ahoy".

Counting the days 'til the next trip...

Further dry land adventures

The WeeOne and I headed off for another weekend away in the caravan to Jordan Lake's Poplar Point Campground: I didn't need too much encouragement to make it a three-day weekend with him, in our 1972 Compact Shasta.

While the weather wasn't shorts-friendly as last weekend's trip, we still had a grand time. One good thing about picking a site with power is that one can turn on a small heater for the jolly chilly mornings one encounters. And we left the kayak on the roof of the 4Runner...

I also dug out the old and very worn awning that was thrown in when we bought the Shasta, which was great for Friday's showers.

Once again we spent many an hour on the bikes and exploring Jordan Lake's beaches. I now appreciate that boys throwing rocks into water is an inherently male genetic trait.

And Doug-and-Kathy-up-the-hill joined us on a beautiful spring Saturday for lunch and a walk on one of the campground's many trails. Every bridge had to be checked for taniwha!

Dry land adventures

While FliesWithKiwiBird's away in San Diego for a week or so, and instead of writing up this year's completed-last-week Everglades Challenge, I took the WeeOne camping in our 1972 Shasta Compact. Right on our own doorstep, aside Jordan Lake--our paddling training lake--is the quite wonderful Poplar Point Campground. Half-an-hour from home, and away in the wilds of a State Park. All for $23 a night.

Timing it just right for the WeeOne's afternoon nap, we arrived. He awoke: "Are we there yet?" I remember travelling like this with my folks--no stress.

Mat laid, chairs out, bike tyres pumped. Bless his heart--not even three yet, and we spent most of the weekend cycling around the campground, exploring the lake's beaches. This time I brought my own bike. The WeeOne rides a peddle-less Strider running bike, but I can't keep up with him now, running.

We lit the obligatory fire, and scoffed S'mores well into the night. Cannot believe how many the chappie's puku quite readily took. And, yes, we are wearing shorts--first time this year.

Camping's even better when your bunk mate wakes up with a smile on his face.

Bit chilly in the morning, but not enough not to push a few trains around while mum rustles up some scrambled eggs and bagels,

And we're off again next weekend!

Shasta "restoration" underway

Our 1972 Shasta Compact was towed away a couple of weeks ago by local NC restorer-extraordinaire Dan Hellier.

Last year I had managed to clean it out and completely reline/pad the ceiling and walls to protect ourselves from the non-skid paint the previous owner had employed, rough enough to take the hair off your skin. Lori had also sewn some fabulous curtains and we'd replaced the squabs with new 4" foam and covers.

It was looking pretty good and we'd already had a fabulous four days last September at Cedar Island, NC in it, but we had only mains power connection and no 12V nor battery source for that, the gas line to the original but working three-burner gas stove had been cut, some of the tow lights didn't work or needed replacing, the screen door tottered on its failing hinges, and we really needed a roof ventilation/fan unit of some sort.

Dan's already well under way with his work, and you can keep up with progress at his site.

Can't wait to get away again, with the kayak.