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Published: June 19th 2006
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I am at a stone table at Stone Mountain Park in Atlanta. It is 9am and I am watching Danielle bike back and forth in long sweeps past our campsite. A friend she met (on a bike with equally loud training wheels) came by a few minutes ago and off she went. Jacquelyn finished her book and Ed is walking around with wires hanging out of his ears talking to someone from work.
Did I mention that I am required to pay attention enough to wave to Danielle each time she passes me by? It requires a great deal of attention….
Anyway, day 1 came and went in a flourish. Shannon slept over to help me finish up with the house and the RV and most importantly the kids. They had slept over at their best friends house (she also fed us adults dinner) and they were a bit tired. Then another friend (Mary Jo) stopped by with donuts and coffee and a great attitude. She livened up the departure festivities and we took a few pictures (you can see them here). The best part was a 3 CD set she gave me as I was pulling out. It
had all sorts of 70’s hits like ‘Hit the Road Jack’ and ‘Crocodile Rock’ and I played them down the road (this worked out well because I can listen to the radio up front and the kids can watch their TV/DVD’s in the RV).
Well, 5 hours later (including a gas stop, supermarket stop and lunch stop), I pulled into the Stone Mountain Campground. Directions in hand to campsite 327, I backed the BIG RIG (it felt like it to me) in without a hitch. I should mention that we are on a hill over the lake. Jacquelyn and Danielle helped and didn’t let me go too far but after watching the movie “RV”, I felt it a good idea to put on the parking break and also the wood behind the wheels. Now I am learning campgrounds are funny places. I pulled in by myself and hooked up the RV to the water and electric (saving the poopy pipe for Ed for later), Jacquelyn and I got the awning up and both kids helped with the outdoor rugs and chairs. I was pretty proud of myself! Now later that night when I was outside drinking wine and the
kids were biking, a few folks were strolling by and mentioned that “I sure know how to drive that thing”. I asked what they meant and learned that any woman driving one by herself is an occasion for a group look and that I passed the test.
So we waited for Ed to join us from his trip to Texas and hung out by the water. We have lots of little fish in our backyard as well as turtles, ducks and geese. Danielle mentioned “that it is the best campsite in this area, I like it, and I wish we could buy it”.
I guess I have to mention the Incident. I was trying to hook up the water and had Danielle helping me test it in the RV. I thought everything was great and it was if you count leaving the bathroom faucet on and having the stopper in the drain. Luckily it was noticed at some point before any major damage but it was rather stressful for me, took 6 towels to clean up, and made a BIG MESS.
Ed joined us at 8:30 and then we were off to the Laser Light show. It
was nice and cool and we listened to music while they did a laser/firework show on the mountain face. By 10:30 we were home and although we know Danielle was asleep first, I am not sure if anyone outlasted her by more than 15 minutes.
Jacquelyn reminded me to write the following. Ed said his hair was mature blond and then Jacquelyn mentioned that blond is yellow not white. Then Ed said the ‘grey hair’ on the side of his head was Jacquelyn’s and she is not going to let him forget he said ‘grey’ not mature blond.
So day 2 and 3 dawns in Stone Mountain Campground to the sound of kids riding their bikes back and forth on the road starting at around 8:30am. The good news was that we had just woke up (the new dark cloth that you we Velcro up works great).
The days are starting to go in a sort of blur. The kids and I went and did the sights (train ride around the mountain, candy store, tree house playground, playing in the creek, eating fried chicken and outdoor obstacle course) and Ed worked. He looked pretty cute working in
the back seat of the Saturn with the front seat down as a sort of a desk, on the phone, connected on the internet, and drinking his tea.
Afternoons get pretty hot so Jacquelyn and I relax in the RV (that is an abbreviation for I take a nap and she reads) and Ed and Danielle bike over to the pool for a swim. Then back out as a family and taking in some more sights.
Four tired souls go home (that would be the RV) and have dinner on day 2. On Saturday, we had the treat of hooking up with a good friend of Ed's for dinner while their kids watched ours.
One of the best parts of the last day or so was probably as I sit here typing this. I am sitting down by the lake in the company of 3 ducks, a turtle and a variety of fish. Ed cooked up some popcorn and he and Jacquelyn have joined me as well. The air is pleasant and it is nice to just sit and be for a bit.
Of course I should mention my obnoxious calls to a friend Allison. She
had tried to reach me a few times during the day and I kept leaving her messages like I am sorry but I was busy dipping my feet in the cool river and couldn’t get to the phone, or I was sitting down by the lake and couldn’t get to the phone, or I was taking a nap and didn’t feel like getting the phone. The best part was that it was all true…. See you at the next stop (Nashville).
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