Another Idea Is Snitched!

My Camper Mom is a retired teacher and always used to say, "A good teacher is a thief."  What she meant by that was good teachers are constantly looking for new ideas, new methods, and new materials to use to improve their skills and classrooms.  

Now that she's not teaching anymore, she's applying that principle to camping. Over our last eight camping seasons together, she has snitched more ideas than I can count!  Just when I think she's finished and cannot possibly reinvent the trailer wheel, she sees something else that she's just gotta have.

One morning at the recent BRR, she was in the shower house and spied a small cotton mat on the floor in front of the last shower.  "Ooooo what a neat idea", she said.  The Lemon Drop's mom was in that shower and that cute little mat belonged to her.  If Momma Sharon had her camera with her, I would have a picture of it . . . LOL.

After a few questions for Momma Ava, my Camper Mom had a new mission . . . find the perfect bath mat to carry to the camp shower with her.  A trip to Roses in West Jefferson resulted in a big find.  The mat wasn't a bath mat, but a mat to put under a dish drainer.  Made from super absorbent microfiber, it was the perfect color . . . lime green and blue!!  Very light weight, quick-drying, reversible, padded, foldable, and at $2.50, CHEAP!  

You just gotta love her, that's all I can say!  Have a groovy weekend camping peeps and always remember . . .

"Peace, Love & Camping"

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Meet Me @ Mountain Stream

I swear, she's at it again!  My Camper Mom is a rally fool . . . it's an addiction . . . she absolutely cannot help herself.  I have never known someone who wants to plan things, organize things, and invite people to her camping party like Momma Sharon does!!

Here's her latest do-da . . . a gathering at Mountain Stream RV Park just north of Marion, NC and just 5 miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It was the site of the very first Blue Ridge Rally in 2008 and also the third one in 2010.  We have camped there on two other occasions and I gotta admit, this place is one of my all-time favorites!

She's all excited because Carson Chapel will be doing one of their famous breakfasts on Saturday morning.  It's where Diane can get her "mash on".  That's a little inside joke between me and T@Bernacle . . . tee hee.

If you are into doing absolutely nothing besides sitting by a creek, visiting with friends, and staying at "the prettiest little park this side of heaven", then please, please, please join me!!

Here are all the details for you . . . 

Have a good weekend campers and always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love & Camping"

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Adding To My Library

Mornin' everyone!  It is a gloriously sunny morning here in the Carolinas and I hope it's a fine morning wherever you are too.

A package came in the mail earlier this week and I knew exactly what it was . . . two new books for my camping library!  Momma Sharon has a shelf dedicated to the subject of camping and on it you will see recipe books, a Scotty book, The Coffee Cup Trilogy, glamping books, and others that have the history of trailers and caravans.

One of the new books, "Vintage Trailer Style" by her friend Lisa Mora in Australia, is all about buying, restoring, and decorating old trailers.  The book is uber cool, but what sends it right over the top is that one of Momma Sharon's photos is in it on page 50!!  My friend The Bookmobile and Mom's friend Rebecca are featured!!

The other book is one she found mentioned on a camping blog and it also comes from Australia.  It's called "Vantastic" and even though it's not exactly what she thought it was going to be, it's still pretty neat because it follows the story of Kate Ulman and her family as they find, refurbish, and camp in an older caravan.

Do you have a camping library?  It's fun to discover books to add to the shelf, so I think you should start one today . . . LOL!!  Until you make your first purchase always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love & Camping"

Back On The Air

Back on February 15th, Momma Sharon made her radio debut.  She was a guest on Teardrop Trailer Radio with her friend Brooke Folk.  If you'd like to go back and re-read my Story about that, you can go HERE.  She was a tad nervous about the 11:00 interview on that Saturday morning, but she ended up having a really good time.

Brooke pulled his Little Guy down to The Holler at our recent Blue Ridge Rally and we all got to visit with him in person!  While there, he and my Camper Mom chatted about a post-Blue Ridge interview.  So tomorrow, Momma Sharon will be back on the air!

If you'd like to listen in on their hour together, you can hear the whole program on your computer.  Just scoot on over to HERE.  You can even join in a live chat or call in during the show.  In the right side bar, look for this link...

Participate by

Phone or  Computer

Just Listen, Talk, Chat

any Saturday 11am/est

www.TalkShoe.com/tc/128227

Listen anytime to archived shows

Have a great weekend everyone and I'll see you on the radio!  Until tomorrow, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love & Camping" 

The Happies Just Keep Coming!

Woohoo . . . happy Hump Day!!  What a beautiful day here in the Carolinas.  I hope that your day is equally fine.  I guess you figured out that I snagged a bit more computer time, didn't you?  Yep, and that means I get to tell you about four more extra special happies we got from our BRR Peeps.

I think this darling silver trailer looks just like me!  I don't have angel wings, but these are stinkin' cute!!

Our little Campmeister-In-Training made this priceless work of art for us!

This is called a "tread catcher", but I think it will catch coins or keys or anything that I tend to lose

I have big plans for these funky waterproof pouches . . . they are going to hold all my cords & cables & chargers!

Tomorrow Momma Sharon and Aunt Becky are off on a scouting trip to check out two campgrounds in the High Country so I'll be back with another Story.  It would tickle me to death to have you stop by for Story Hour.  Until then, always remember . . .  

"Peace, Love & Camping"

More Coolio Happies

I've got another little Story for you today about the happies that my Camper Mom and I got during the Blue Ridge Rally.  Every single one of them is unique and thoughtful and I want to share four more with you...

My friend The Fireball wants me to come visit in Michigan!

Look at this teeny tiny little SplashT@B . . . I'm in love with it!!

This beautiful hand-crafted cross came all the way from Bethlehem!

I've always needed something to hold down the corners of my tablecloths to keep them from blowing away!

I don't know how much longer Momma Sharon is going to let me play on her computer, so I really appreciate you pausing for a bit to listen to another Story. Who knows, I might be back tomorrow.  I guess you just better check in to see.  Until then, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love & Camping"

Blue Ridge Happies

Every single year that Momma Sharon and I host the Blue Ridge Rally, there are a couple of things that always surprise us.  The first is the distance that some of my camping buddies will travel to join us at the rally.  This year, my friend Ellis Island accompanied by Sandy and Joe, traveled all the way from Iowa!  The second thing that always surprises me are all the neat little happies that Blue Ridgers give us.

Momma Sharon always writes them down in her notebook and makes a point of sending out little thank you notes from the both of us.  This year we got three cash donations to help cover our expenses and another one to purchase wood for our evening campfires!  We were blown away by that!!

Sometimes the happies are just plain fun like these . . . 

Cheddar cheese from Ashe County Cheese in the shape of a Scotty!

Bags of fresh roasted coffee beans, bags of ground coffee, and a small coffee grinder!

YoYo Monkey who is the perfect lime green & blue and loves to hang around with us!!

I'll tell you about a few more if you drop tomorrow for another Short Splash Story.  I hope your week is off to a good start and always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love & Camping"

Say Hello To My Little Peeps

Brrrrrr . . . what happened to spring?  I cannot believe how chilly it was this morning here in my T@Bport.  I almost needed to fire up my little ceramic heater . . . LOL.

Before I move on to a new Story line, I want to share one last set of Blue Ridge Peeps with you.  Did I tell you that we set all kinds of records this year at the rally?  Yep, I had 41 T@Bs, 7 T@DAs, 5 Airstreams, 2 Little Guys, 1 MyPod Maxx, and 1 R-Pod.  From Sunday all the way through Friday, they kept rolling in to The Holler!

This is Bumpa Tab from Middleton, MA sitting pretty by the fence

Coming all the way from Allentown, PA, this yellow 2004 sweetie pie has a new owner, but no new name

It's always exciting to meet new guys like this tiny MyPod Maxx from Cary, NC

This is my new bud named Ellis Island all the way from Marion IA

Did I ever tell you that Momma Sharon named my friend the T@B-mahal?

I just dig the groovy colors of T@BULOUS from Newport News, VA

T@Bventure lives on Lake Hickory but hails from Raleigh, NC

The Honey Badger came to the Blue Ridge from Damascus, MD

I really appreciate you stopping by on your Sunday to let me introduce a few more of my Blue Ridge Peeps.  Enjoy your weekend and always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love & Camping"

Five More BRR Peeps

Happy Saturday morning everyone!  It's a beautiful, but cool North Carolina morning here.  I hope that bunches and bunches of you are out there having a cup of coffee in a campground somewhere!

My Story for you today is another chapter in my Blue Ridge Peeps book. Here are few more of my old and new friends from The Holler.

You've seen my cousin before . . . it's Pod from Landis, NC

Look at all the red surrounding my T@DA friend from Grand Rapids, MI named The Fireball

T@Blet came all the from Tallahasse, FL and she loves her 'Noles

I'm not sure if this aqua cutie-pie has a name, but she traveled all the way from Glendale, OH

This is the second Blue Ridge that my little silver friend from Bel Air, MD has been with us

For some reason, some Camper Moms and Dads don't name all of us and that's why I wasn't able to share that tidbit with you.  Just thought you might be wondering about that!

There's one more chapter in this Blue Ridge Peeps book and I'll read that to you tomorrow.  Have a wonderful weekend my friends and always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love & Camping"

My Blue Ridge Peeps

Over on Postcards From The Road, Momma Sharon introduced you to every single one of her Blue Ridge Peeps.  Now it's time for me to tell you about a few of mine!

This is Rosie from Dover, DE . . . she's a Clamshell and does all her cooking outside

This is my brand new friend Lucy, the Short Short Trailer who is from Pittsboro, NC

You've probably met this guy . . . it's my buddy Sunny Boy from LaBelle, FL

I don't know this little Scotty's name, but she is from down the mountain in Charlotte, NC

Here's one of the sweetest guys around . . . this is Red from Greensboro, NC

I've been camping with T@Bernacle from Atlanta, GA for years and years!

Here's another friend that I just met . . . this is Gunny from Conover, NC who is very patriotic!

This is Lemon Drop who lives in the Smoky Mountains in Maryville, TN

It was great to see my old camping buddies and to meet all the new kids on the block too.  I appreciate you dropping by today for a picture book of friends.  I'll finish this Story tomorrow.  Until then remember . . . 

"Peace, Love & Camping"

A Big New Banner

For several years, Momma Sharon has been wanting a big banner to hang beside me to welcome Blue Ridgers to my rally . . . ok, ok, OUR rally.  She got the idea when she saw the banner that her friend Judy Scoonover created for a Sisters on the Fly event in Tennessee.

Last fall, she designed one on this computer and then took it to a local sign shop in February to have it made.  Along with the fellow that would do the printing, they smoothed out the edges, added some color to the letters, and softened the look.  It's made out of vinyl, has convenient grommets for hanging, and will last us for many years to come.  We like the way it turned out and both wish she hadn't waited so long!!

Matt Bodenner from Virginia took some extraordinary photos during the Blue Ridge and Momma Sharon snitched one for me to share with you.

As predicted, it's raining outside but that's actually a good thing . . . no storms, just a steady rain that we really need.  The Camper Mom has an art project to work on today and I'm just chillin' out in my T@Bport. So enjoy your day, thanks for stopping by for one of my Stories, and always remember . . .

"Peace, Love & Camping"

Blue Ridge Bulletin Boards

Evenin' everyone!  Welcome back for another Short Story from my recent Blue Ridge Rally.

One of the little things that my Momma Sharon does every day is to put out a bulletin board that contains the activities and weather forecast.  Even though she asks that everyone print out a copy of the schedule, she knows that often gets left off of to-do lists.  With almost 100 Blue Ridgers in attendance, there are bound to be questions that start with, "What time is...?" and "Where do we meet for...?"

I gotta tell you that my Camper Mom is having to scrounge up things to do this week.  In all probability, she's already thinking about the 2015 BRR!  That's OK, because I know how happy it makes her . . . LOL.

We've got some heavy rain coming in tomorrow, so batten down the hatches and always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love & Camping!"

Foggy Blue Ridge Days

True to her word, Momma Sharon turned the computer over to me again today so I could share another Story with you!

I gotta tell you that I have camped in all kinds of weather . . . hot sunny days, cold fall nights, windy conditions that kept me from having my awning on, wet days that flooded the campsites around me, and even a tornado warning at 2:30 a.m.  But never ever have I camped in fog!  That might be hard for you to believe, but it's true.

When you camp close to the Blue Ridge Parkway there's always a chance that the mist-laden clouds that hang around the crest of the Parkway, will linger for a while.  That's exactly what happened on Monday, Tuesday, AND Wednesday!

Aunt Becky didn't arrive until Monday and it was so foggy that she missed her turn off of Highway 16 into the campground!  All the Blue Ridgers who arrived throughout the day had to deal with the same thing and I was kinda worried about them since they were caught unaware.

I'm happy to report that there were no mishaps and everyone who came in to The Holler those three days arrived safely.  I didn't mind the fog one single bit because it produced a nice backdrop for Momma Sharon to snap some photos of me and my friends.

I got to meet Lucy, the Short Short Trailer for the first time.  She's an aluminum beauty and was parked right beside me.  You can also see my buddy RT to right of the Bambi.  I was happy to see her, but also sad because I knew she was going to a new home in South Carolina and I probably would never see her again.  We sure did have some great camping trips together the last four years.  I sure will miss her.

My friend Sunny boy from Florida was all decked out in his rally attire and helped us light up The Holler each night.

I'm here to tell you that camping in the fog is no big deal for T@Bs like me and my Camper Mom too.   Would I prefer sunshine?  You bet, but being with friends like Lucy, RT, and Sunny Boy make every day a great day. 

Come on back tomorrow and I'll tell you another little Blue Ridge Story.  Until then, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love & Camping!"

My 2014 Blue Ridge Rally

Whew!  The last two months of my life have been a whirlwind of activity.  My Camper Mom was consumed with all things Blue Ridge in March and April and I couldn't get her to give up the computer for one iota of time!  Now that things have settled down for us, I can finally share the BRR with you from MY perspective.

Momma Sharon promised me that the computer is mine for as long as I need it! Well, we shall see about that.  Our Blue Ridge collage is a good place for me to start my Stories.

You can tell by that photo in the lower right hand corner that we had a whole lot of campers come to The Holler.  In fact, we set all kinds of BRR records this year.

Thanks for being patient with me and realizing that at some point I would have some SplashT@B Stories to share with you.  Welcome back!!