Check, Check, Check

Check, check, check . . . lists and checkmarks . . . check, check, check! That's what it's like around here in the days leading up to a camping trip.  And not just any old camping trip.  The famous Coastal Caravan! This is my 3rd one and I look forward all year to hosting my friends for fun times at the beach.

We've had some hiccups along the way thanks to Hurricane Matthew, but Plan B is firmly in place and we are going to have a grand time. Momma Sharon has little piles of stuff in the kitchen and after Splish gets her spa treatment, the packing will begin.

My Camper Mom loves to find little coastal goodies for her Beach Peeps.  Oriental Trading Company is her go-to supplier.  She also likes to make commemorative buttons.  They don't have anyone's name on them, so they are strictly for fun.  I am excited about adding this one to our 10-year collection!

The famous commemorative camping buttons

Little flip flop bags

Beachy drinking cups for all our meets, greets, & eats

Goodie bags are packed & ready

The complete boxed set of CC Groovy Tunes

I think Momma Sharon does a pretty good job of planning our caravans and I can tell you that she has had a blast throwing this one together, hurricane and all.

After Splish gets her spa treatment this afternoon, it will be my turn. I gotta look all shiny and clean when I meet and greet my Trailer Peeps tomorrow at Oak Plantation in Charleston.

Momma Sharon will be sending out Postcards From The Road every day and I hope you will drop in to pick yours up.  I will be back with some post-CCIII Stories in a couple of weeks.  Until then, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love, & The CCIII"

The Excitement Is Building

Aloha!!  I thought I would greet you with a little island flair this morning as I prepare for my upcoming trip to the coast.  Next Sunday I will be joining 13 of my best friends at Oak Plantation Campground near Charleston, where we will set up camp for a week of adventure, Coastal Caravan-style!

 

Momma Sharon, the CCIII Campmeister, has had a sting of stressful days.  Hurricane Matthew did significant damage to the first two stops on our caravan.  Both Huntington Beach State Park and Edisto Beach State Park in South Carolina are closed and although they will reopen, it won't be in time for our reservations!  So Mom has had to scramble around and come up with Plan B.  And I'm here to report that she has found a great place for us to gather and we will be there for the entire week.  Oak Plantation will be our headquarters for coastal fun!

While it's not steps away from the beach like the two state parks were, we are only 14 miles away from Kiawah Island and Beachwalker Park.  We are only 10 miles from Charleston and being on Johns Island opens up a whole new set of places to eat and explore.  The excitement is really building as we prepare for this new destination.  New beaches to watch a sunrise on, new opportunities for gathering together for happy hours and potluck suppers, new places to go junkin', new historical sites to see.  Yep, the excitement is building!!

Time for more spur-of-the-moment group photos

Time for delicious Dutch oven cooking

Time to watch the day wake up

Time to see old friends again

Time to decorate for Halloween

Time for toes to go back in sand & water

Time for Momma's Postcards From The Road

Even though we haven't gotten the official word about River's End Campground on Tybee Island being open for our second week, we all have our fingers crossed.  They have hinted on their Facebook page that they will reopen by the end of the week.  Since our reservations don't start until the 30th, we believe that we will be A-OK for Tybee.

This is going to be a busy week for me and the Camper Mom as we check things off our list and get Splish ready to roll.  I will check in with you one day this week with a Storied update.  Until then, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love, & The Excitement of the CCIII"

A Great Doctor's Visit

Heyeeeee!  This morning bright and early, Momma Sharon came down and pulled me out of my cozy T@Bport for a trip to see Dr. Bumgarner at his Camping Center.  We had just a 30 minute drive up to Lenoir, so it was an easy trip.  My Mom was a little nervous about me getting brand new bearings and brakes, but I kept telling her it was going to be OK.  After 10 years of rolling along the highways and covering at least 50,000 miles, it was time!

As we were toddling up Hwy 321, we got stopped at a light and while sitting there, I looked to my left and saw a brand new Cirrus truck camper pull up beside me!  I have never, ever seen one in person, so that was very cool.  Momma Sharon was going to give the driver a thumbs up, but they were too far ahead of us.

As we pulled into the camping center, guess what was sitting outside the service bay?  Yeppers, that Cirrus.  Momma Sharon got me unhitched and Jerit Miller, the doctor I saw today, took me back into the service area.  He had actually never replaced sealed bearings, but he did a great job and was very gentle with me!

Meanwhile, my Camper Mom got up to stroll around a bit, and sitting out in the lobby was a fellow that she figured was the owner of the Cirrus.  She introduced herself, sat down, and they proceeded to talk for about an hour!  His name is Ed, he's from Fort Mill, SC (where my Aunt Miriam lives), is retired from the Navy, and just bought the truck camper last year.  How cool is that?  When they started talking about rallies and gatherings, he got all excited to hear about the big parties I throw.  And before it was all said and done, he and Mom had exchanged info and he's going to try and join us at Oak Plantation for the Coastal Caravan week after next!!

Wanna see what this super cool truck camper looks like?

The Cirrus is made at Pleasant Valley in the very same factory that makes all my brothers and sisters!  Before leaving, Ed gave Mom a tour of the outside and inside.  She told me that it's beautiful and she sure could tell it was made by the Amish.  

Rachel and Jerit and the whole gang at Bumgarner Camping Center did a thorough job on my bearings and brakes and I should be good for another 50,000 miles.  When we got back home, Mom touched my hubs like she always does and they were nice and cool.  My brakes didn't squeak one single time, so we are both happy campers!

I've got a spa day coming up next in preparation for the Coastal Caravan III.  Until it's time for that little Story, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love, & Great Doctor's Visits"

Doctor's Appointment

Good morning campers!  I have a doctor's appointment next week. Momma Sharon called Bumgarner Camping Center this morning and spoke to the folks in the service department about doing a bit of preventive maintenance for me.  For years, we have been carrying around a spare set of wheel bearings, just in case I needed them.

After 10 years of rolling along the roads from Florida to Maryland, Tennessee to Mississippi, Virginia to Georgia, we thought it was time to change out my old bearings for some new ones.  My Camper Mom is diligent about putting her hand on my hubs to check the temperature every single time we stop. We are heading out in a couple of weeks on the Coastal Caravan III and we want to roll along worry-free.

While coming home from the MD DOG, my brakes started squealing for the very first time, so Mom decided new brake pads were in order too.  With credit card in hand a couple weeks ago, she went on a spending spree and ordered new brake pads and bearings.  It looked like Christmas around here because she got some other things for me too that I'll tell you about later.

My Dutchmen frame is made by Al-Ko and Pleasant Valley carries those parts for us old gals.  Momma Sharon got the bearings to carry around as our new spare set, because we don't want to be without.

Those folks up at Bumgarner Camping Center are just as nice as they can be and because they did such a terrific job with installing my new lime green battery/propane box and new battery back in April, we didn't hesitate to call them about installing my new bearings and brake pads next Thursday!

I'll be back soon with a report from the doctor and also another Story about my upcoming Spa Day. Until then, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love, & New Parts"