I Spy

It's a drizzly, dreary morning here in Newton and I've got to do something fun to raise Momma Sharon's spirits.  So how about a version of the game she used to play as a kid - I Spy.  I'm not going to give you clues or anything like that, I'm just going to show you a baker's dozen of  things that I spied at the BRR.  Have fun!

Across the road from me, protected by two orange cones, was a killdeer nest with 3 camouflaged little eggs in the middle of campsite #20

We got a nice welcome from Big Meadow every single time we drove into the campground

Charlie the Camping Cat (with Momma Sue) at his first BRR

The Honey Badger always stands out in a crowd

How in the world did Gunther get that pear into that bottle?

We bought a unique clothesline from Mr. Geo & he is showing us how to install one side of it

Mr. Randy's panoramic view from his secret 00 site

We had so many Blue Ridgers that porta-potties had to be brought in . . . LOL

Check out the drone overhead taking photos & a video of me & my Peeps

Momma Sharon & I are down right jealous of the light show put on by Michael & Jeff every night!

Chef D'Nise wowed everyone with her biscuits during the CDO cooking demo with Mom

Mr. Warren rolled into the campground on his big bike from AL & was greeted by Kaia & Lilou

Mr. Alejandro, aka Alex, singing Happy Birthday to Larry . . . we heard him all over the campground!!

I sure do appreciate you stopping by today for my little I Spy Story. Please keep Momma Sharon and my sweet Murphy the Camper Dog in your thoughts and prayers.  They are kinda struggling right now.  

I'm sure I'll be back tomorrow with another Story, so I hope to see you here.  Until then, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love, & Sights I Spy Around My BRR"

Blue Ridge Goodies

The week before my Blue Ridge Rally, I told you about our ID buttons being ready and that they were part of a little welcome bag of goodies that Momma Sharon was giving everyone.  All our Alumni expect a little something something from us, but the Newbies get taken by surprise.

Our little white bags contained the ID buttons, a 10th anniversary key chain, Dave's decal, and a camping bookmark.  Sometimes Aunt Becky comes over a few days early and she and Mom stuff all the welcome bags.  This year, we waited until we got there on Sunday, recruited some volunteers, and assembled the bags on the spot.  Beck, Miss Belva, and Miss Liz pitched in to help.

One of the umpty-ump reasons we love Big Meadow, is that Miss Barbara takes the time to go around Townsend and collect things from the local merchants.  This year that included discounts at places like Ace Hardware and Black Bear Cafe.  Cades Cove Cellars invited us for a wine tasting and donated wine glasses.  A local artist made laser cut wooden magnets of our trailers and BRR logo!  When folks checked in the office upon their arrival, the Big Meadow folks gave them a brown paper bag full of those goodies.

Miss Katie from PA checking in

Barbara & Kristina checking folks in & handing out goodie bags

Miss Alice came for a visit & couldn't wait to see what was in her bag

Jar of jam, bar of soap, pen, & fire starters were among the surprises

So were wine glasses from Cades Cove Cellars

We were blown away when we saw the magnet

Brochures, maps, and discount coupons

Making up goodie bags makes us feel good and makes our Peeps happy.  What better way to kick off one of our rallies!

Thanks for stopping by for another Story today.  Who knows, I may get more computer time tomorrow and write another one for you.  Until then, always remember . . . .

"Peace, Love, & BRR Goodie Bags"

Blue Ridge SplashPad

Hey everyone!  When Momma Sharon sat down last night to write a Postcard about Big Meadow's SplashPad, I told her that I was the logical one to write that Story and if she could wait a bit, I would take care of it in the morning.

So here it is . . . the SplashPad Story from Splash herself!

Let me start out by saying that our Blue Ridge Rally was the driest and HOTTEST one ever.  We didn't have one single drop of rain the whole week and the afternoon temperatures hovered around the high 80s to low 90s.  Unheard of for the Smoky Mountains in mid-May!

Right across the road from me was a SplashPad.  Normally that kind of campground attraction was for the kids and Lilou, our youngest T@BBer, was the first to hop in it on Monday.

But it didn't take long for the adults to put on their bathing suits or just a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, and hit the SplashPad too.  I could hear the squeals of delight and gasps of air when the first bucket of water was dumped on their heads.

One time I looked over there and they were all laying on their bellies, stopping up the drain, and "swimming" in a pool of water!

The look on Mr. Rich's face says it all . . . 

Ms. Deb had a little "stupid oughta hurt" moment when she caught her foot on the concrete pad and pitched forward in a face plant.  Ouch owie!!

I heard rumors that there was a wet t-shirt contest, but you would have to ask Ms. Elaine about that.

Mom and I always say that "we have so much fun it should be illegal" and those afternoons over on the SplashPad proved it!

I know you were expecting a Postcard today, but I think my SplashPad Story was way better . . . LOL.  Thanks for dropping by and until I see you again (maybe tomorrow), always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love, & Playing In The Water"

We Have Buttons!

Heyeee campers and friends!  I know it's Blue Ridge Rally time when two things happen.  

#1 - I get a bath.  My Mom scrubs every inch of me, she hits every nook and cranny, she checks around my window seals for spiders, dusts every flat surface inside of me, and gets me looking fabulous since I'm the host T@B for this shindig.

#2 - Momma Sharon takes care of her final chore . . . making ID Buttons.  Those buttons are famous and collectible and just plain cute. How can you go wrong when our California T@Bbin' buddy and artist, Sara, is involved.  I could tell that Mom was tired and distracted because she boogered up four of them.  

Now 4 out of 100+ doesn't seem too bad to me, but she's a perfectionist when it comes to these little badges.  On top of that, she found one set of duplicates and then messed up 3 of the 4 she re-did because she forgot to put the little Newbie star on them.

Well I'm here to report that they are finished, have been checked and re-checked to make sure everyone has one, and they are now packed away for the trip.

Mom printed 11 sheets of buttons, then cut them out

Miss Kathryn's button is assembled

Checked, double-checked, & packed

Even the Big Meadow crew gets a Blue Ridge button

The most special ones are the 10 For 10 ones . . . these 8 Blue Ridgers haven't missed one single Blue Ridge Rally!!

Now that Splish is packed and the final item has been checked off our list, it's time for a little R&R so Mom can catch her breath before the Blue Ridgers start rolling into Big Meadow Family Campground on Sunday.

This will be my last Story for a couple of weeks.  Momma Sharon will take over the blogging duties during the rally and caravan and we both invite you to pick up your Postcard every day to see why "we have so much fun it should be illegal."  Until I'm back with more Tales, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love, & Blue Ridge Buttons"

Knock, Knock

Betcha think I have a knock, knock joke for you.  Nope.  That was the sound we heard at the front door this morning.  The UPS man usually doesn't knock, but he did today.  Maybe it was because it was drizzling outside and he didn't want my package to get wet.  Or maybe he knew that we were anxiously awaiting its arrival.

I am excited beyond words at what showed up on our doorstep this morning . . . it's a CAMPING CART!  Sorry to yell, but dad-gum-it, we are gonna love having this at the Blue Ridge Rally next week.  Except for the Made in China part, this is going to be one cool camping accessory! It's blue to coordinate with me, it folds compactly to fit in Splish's truck bed, and Momma Sharon has already thought of half a dozen ways to use it at Big Meadow.

Timber Ridge Camping Wagon

A cover holds everything in place

Velcro straps keep it tightly folded

My Uncle Rob has a cart that he takes when they go to the beach and Pod told me that they haul all kinds of stuff back and forth.  Miss Crystal has a cart too and Daisy told me it was Packer green and yellow.  So this idea of a camping cart is nothing new.  And you know how my Camper Mom will snitch a good idea in a heartbeat!

Unfolded and ready for a test drive

Murphy was out on the deck with Mom, supervising everything, so it is only fitting that she got to test it out.  I have my doubts that she would actually sit still long enough to be strolled around the campground. She had her 6th-month check-up with her doctor this morning, so Mom has been snapping photos of her today to celebrate great test results.

That's our camping pup who will be with us at the Blue Ridge Rally

Murphy giving it a paws up

The wheels on the cart are heavy duty and will roll well over Big Meadow's gravel.  The construction is sturdy, there's a rigid bottom that folds up and stores in a side pocket, and it has a handle for pulling it around when loading and unloading in Splish.

Welcome to our camping family little cart!

Knock, knock.  Who's there?  RU.  RU who?  Are you as excited about the Blue Ridge Rally as I am? With that silly joke and my Camping Cart Story, I will see ya later.  Until then, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love, & Camping Carts"

BRR Sneak Preview

Happy Tuesday everyone!  Momma Sharon and I are 12 days away from our Blue Ridge Rally.  While I am daydreaming about all the fun, Mom is actually working hard to check items off her to-do list so that fun happens.  If you are familiar with our rallies, you know that we like to put together little welcome bags full of goodies.  That's what this Tuesday is all about.

I'm not going to show you the final products, but I will give you a sneak preview of a few of the happies that every Blue Ridger will get upon arrival.

Happy #1 will use one of Sara's fantastic designs that Mom tweaked a bit . . . 

Happy #2 will use Sara's official 2017 BRR logo . . . 

Happy #3 is compliments of Blue Ridgers Dave & Sheila . . . 

Happy #4 involved a reconnaissance trip to Lowes this morning to gather some paint chip samples . . . 

So that's my sneak preview and it's all I'm going to tell you!  Momma Sharon, The Campmeister, will be in her Studio all afternoon working away.  12 days and counting and until I have another Tale to tell you, always remember . . . 

"Peace, Love, & BRR Happies"