We barely got main renovations finished before our first camping trip arrived. The Maiden Voyage, as I called it. We were going to go the weekend/week before Labor Day. I know… busy time. We had some friends help us learn how to book our reservations at the campground… who knew things in the camping universe had changed so much! We quickly learned that everything is done online and at this campground you have to book a year in advance! Say what?!
Fortunately, we were able to find a campsite (not near any of our friends who had booked their campsites last year) which was just a couple of “loops” over from everyone else. Turns out, we were all spread out throughout this particular campground. But it was all good.
When we booked, I booked from Sunday through Friday (I thought) and we were so excited and blessed to get this campsite. We were told it was a really nice one. What we weren’t told was that this campsite loop was known as “The Family Loop.” That means this spot is where people with children come to camp. We were to learn that on our last night of camping.
We pulled This Little Camper into the campgrounds, checked in at The Shack (where everyone checks in and also pays for their campsites or extra days if possible) and proceeded to our loop.
I was surprised to see so many empty sites around us, but we went with the blessing that it was going to be quiet for our stay… for a while. Everyone else on the loop was either at the front of the site or at the back. We were in the middle. Regardless, it was a nice area, very pretty, and for the most part… quiet. We loved it.
D.A. got up every morning and went to work, which left me alone at the camper with the dogs. That was fine. I could get some writing done. It was the perfect setup really. But then I started having computer issues, which led to my computer completely dying. You can read about that here on our Coffee and Sunrise subscription email.
One night, early on, we invited all our camping friends to join us for dessert (ice cream) at our campsite, and to see our little camper. It was an impromptu Camper Open House. We had so much fun having everyone, because what happened was that in the midst of our ice cream, D.A. thanked everyone for coming and helping us initiate the camper. Then he said, “I have something I want to tell you.”
He went into talking about when Stephen was martyred for his faith, and a man named Saul stood there watching while holding the coats of those who did the stoning (see Acts 7:55:59). I’ll let you read the passage.
The point to my husband’s impromptu message was this: Jesus stood up. When Stephen was being stoned, he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Everywhere else in the Bible (that we have read), Jesus was sitting at the right hand of God. D.A. commented that Stephen had taken a stand for his faith and didn’t back down; so much so that he died for his faith and it got the attention of Jesus. Just afterwards he said, “I want to do something that makes Jesus stand up.”
Isn’t that what we all should desire? To do something so bold for Jesus that He stands up and takes notice?
The rest of our camping trip was pleasant like this night. After our ice cream dessert night in our campsite, we all made rounds to the others’ campsites for dessert and chit chat. The mosquitos threatened to pack us off, but we persevered and enjoyed such wonderful company with our camping friends. Of course, we all knew each other. We all go to church together! But, to get to spend some time individually in a campsite, there is just something about the outdoors that brings people together in a different way.
As far as our maiden voyage in our little camper, well… we did have a few mishaps. Although D.A. worked every day, I also kept our youngest grandson every day after Pre-K. So we had many adventures that camping week. So much fun, learning experiences, and even the dogs learned that there are more places to visit than just home.
We learned some camping tips, do’s and don’t’s, and we also learned exactly what it means to check-in and check-out.
We were staying at the Rend Lake Campgrounds in South Marcum Branch campsites. Our campsite was in the loop named Covey Point. It’s a beautiful area. The other campers are friendly (they were when we were there) and for the most part, everyone respects everyone else’s campsite. That wasn’t really our problem.
The problem came after we had checked out and gone home. We had packed up everything and left on the day we were “supposed” to leave. Both of us stating we had a really great time. We were camping just before Labor Day weekend/week. We had tried to get a couple more nights in our campsite, but were told everything was booked. So we knew we needed to be out before the others started coming in so we didn’t hold up that site for the next campers.
The day we left, we met some friends for dinner and as we were sitting there, my phone went off indicating a voice message. Curious, I went ahead and listened. That’s when I learned we had a small problem.
The message was from someone from the Corp of Engineers who stated the Park Rangers told them we exceeded our stay by one day, therefore we owed them for an extra nights’ stay.
Uh-oh.
I called the number I was given and got no answer. I called the number they called from and got no answer. I called my friends and told them what happened. They gave me the number to the check-in shack. I called that and the Camp Host said, “Where are you now?” What?
I said that we were home. We left that afternoon so we weren’t overstaying our welcome. However, we had apparently already done that. The man was nice about it and said, “Aw, it happens.”
I’ll save the drawn-out story and just tell you that it took me more than a couple of weeks to rectify the situation for a mere $26 campsite stay. It actually began to get funny (at least to me).
In the final wind-up, they tried several times, unsuccessfully, to post my payment at which time the Park Ranger said to me, “You know what? You have had a great attitude through all of this. We hope you enjoyed your stay in our campground. Here is your card back. We are even.”
I laughed and thanked him and the lady who had tried to run the payment and walked out.
Our maiden voyage in This Little Camper was a lot of things. Yet, we also learned a lot of things. God places us in some of the most trying situations sometimes, but also some of the most hilarious predicaments. I believe it is to grow us and help us to learn patience, perseverance, stamina, and most of all how to show His love to a world that really needs Jesus.
Stick with us folks! We are gearing up for The Big Road Trip this month. Several days driving down the Blue Ridge Parkway, starting at the beginning in Waynesboro, Virginia, camping wherever we can find a spot, and ending up in our favorite area: Maggie Valley, North Carolina. The leaves should be changing colors and the scenery will be beautiful!
We hope you’ll join us virtually as we travel. We will be doing our best to give up-to-date posts about the sights, campgrounds, and adventures we experience.
Until then, travel friendly!
PS!! Be watching for the release of This Little Camper merch! We know you’ll be as excited as we are!!
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