The Clam and The Cousins

Our Clam was used for the first time up in MD for the DOG (Dutch Oven Gathering) and I  knew it was a keeper.  My Camper Mom has this thing about awnings, tents, and screen rooms.  For the past ten years she has been on an endless quest to find the perfect one.  When she tucked The Clam up against me at Cunningham Falls State Park, all I could say was "Ahhhhhh."

During the Coastal Caravan, The Clams were out in full force and they were joined by their cousins.  Our folks needed shade, mosquito protection, places for things like ice makers and coffee pots, and coverings for picnic tables.  That was accomplished by a variety of structures.  I told Momma Sharon she needed to take photos because I had a great idea for a Story.  Let me introduce The Clam and The Cousins . . . 

Tom & Cindy's Clam

John & Sandy's Instant Shade 

My buddy Daisy's Therma-Rest

Ruthe & Lloyd's Easy-Up

Dave & Sheila's PahaQue Side Tent

That's MY Clam!

Mary ordered her Clam at OP & it arrived two days later

Lucy, the Short, Short Trailer has a Clam of her own

This great enclosure belongs to Bill & D'Nise

Ellen owns this little 4x4 Baby Clam

This big screen room belongs to Chuck is made by Cabela's

D'Nise & Bill's yellow easy-up was breakfast-central on Tuesday at OP

Kevin & Sheila really like their red Side Tent

So that's a quick look at some of the Clams and their Cousins that we sported on the CCIII.  Thanks for coming around for Chapter 2.  I'll be right here tomorrow and until then, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love, & Clams"

Flash and Splash

When it comes to my accessories, Momma Sharon is always trying to find the right combination of awnings, tables, benches, chairs, and do-dads.  This has been going on for ten solid years . . . LOL.  I admit to being a splashy kind of trailer to start with.  My decals are pretty cool and my color scheme is eye-catching.

I heard my Camper Mom say more than one time in Maryland that she finally nailed my "look."  I have to agree.  The addition of The Clam was brilliant.  In combination with my Visor, it looks like I have a front porch and an outside living room.  Throw in some window awnings, tablecloth, tie-dyed cloth from the VW Bus Festival, garden flags, and I make a groovy fashion statement.

OK, enough bragging.  Here's the proof . . . 

My Visor & window awnings make for a simpler look

My new Clam nestles up close to me

We brought along the Cabelas table for this outing

My tie-dyed cloth is an attention grabber!

The gnomes, Larry & Geo, are the perfect picnic table centerpiece

The Clam gives Momma Sharon & Aunt Becky lots of living space

I love my new "look"

The Clam is going to send all the other screen rooms packing!

Mr. Werner holds the ice maker & light bucket while providing storage underneath

Breakfast is served inside every morning

Flashy & splashy . . . just like me!

I even look great at night

Aunt Becky's flowers always travel with us

Here's what other campers see when they walk past my site #7

I cannot wait to show off my new flashy, splashy look on the Coastal Caravan next month.  I think we finally have the perfect combination of camping gear and it only took ten years!  

Drop back tomorrow if you have time and I'll have another Story to tell.  Until then, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love, & A Splashy Look"

The Clam

Momma Sharon suffers from a particular camping addiction that involves awnings and screen rooms. As long as I have known her (10 camping seasons), she has been on a quest to find the perfect auxiliary camping structure.  She has acquired quite a collection over the years in that quest.

Well, when Uncle Rob told her about a screen room called The Clam that he and Friend Mark had found, her radar kicked in.  New shade structure?  What color?  Can one person put it up?  How much?  How big? ??? Pod's Dad said that he would have it in The Holler and she could see it up close and personal.  I snitched a photo from R&T's Pod blog so you can see it too.  When I saw it, I knew we were in trouble!!

From my vantage point next door, I saw that it has 6 sides that bow outward and a fine mesh screen to keep out those no-see-ums. Around the bottom is a 12-inch wide strip of nylon that sheds water away from the interior.  The doorway has two rigid poles and tie-backs for the zippered panels.  There are hooks inside at each corner to hammer down stakes to anchor The Clam.  On each corner outside, there are also hooks to run guy lines.

The folks sat inside during a couple of torrential afternoon downpours and not a drop of water came in.  The mesh is so fine that the water just runs down the side.  

Inside there was room for all of Uncle Rob's cooking station, three folding chairs, two folding footstools, 3 humans, and 3 dogs.  I knew the real test would be the ease of putting it up and taking it down.  On Saturday afternoon, we all watched as Rob took it down and packed it up all by himself in just a matter of minutes.  Uh-oh . . . Mom had her camera and caught all the action.

Now in all fairness to the Camper Mom, she DID sell one of her awnings at the recent Blue Ridge Rally and she is thinking of parting with another one.  I was really proud of her for waiting until we got home to order it.  The order was placed on Monday and our new Clam arrived yesterday!  That means we will have it for the upcoming MD DOG and the Coastal Caravan!

Aunt Becky came over and together they had it up in a matter of minutes.  Talk about easy peasy!! This is going to be a great addition to our camping family.  I told Momma Sharon that it's going to have to travel inside of me on the bed when we are on the road because it's too long to go in Splish.  Oh, they took it down and packed it in the nylon bag in a matter of minutes too.  Sweeeeeet!

I appreciate you dropping by for a Thursday Story.  I think I may have another one tomorrow, so until then, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love & Mom's New Awning"