Sure seemed like everything was coming together for a fun free for all for the Happy Campers. Judy had made a few calls and was able to line up a two night stay at the 7 Caves Campground and she had also discovered the missing young couple had simply eloped and been afraid to tell their parents. One mystery solved. Patsy was just going to meet the group at the Campground on Saturday which was when Cindy and the Aints would arrive. Kim and Judy had decided for certain and for sure they would make a planned impulsive trip down on Friday to spend the night and maybe lay out a Treasure Hunt hike for the others. Kim suggested they hide the clues after dark. That way nobody would see them, take the clues and spoil the fun. Judy said she would see how large of a flashlight she could find at SPortsmans Guide and would consider the idea. Kim said she'd bring her pointy stick and the plastic easter eggs for the clues.
The evening meal details were being left up to Ain't Shirley while Ain't Bee was bringing breakfast. Neither woman was quite sure camping OUTSIDE would be quite the party that staying in a cabin would be so Judy said she would call back to see if there were any cabins for rent. Kim was concerned about bedbugs but then decided if she and Judy got there early enough on Friday they could fumigate the place while checking out the trails. Seemed the ladies weren't very too good at following semi marked (ok well marked but not seen) trails and had more than once found themselves marching down main roads while loudly convincing each other that THIS was a SHORTCUT. For sure.
The days passed quickly and soon it was time to embark upon the Happy Camper 7 Caves Comfortable Shoes Expedition.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Room for One More?
Judy was busy at the computer when Cindy happened to call. It had been a month or so since the two had talked so Cindy wasn't aware of the Seven Caves trip. Of course once she heard the news she was more than willing to juggle her responsibilities around so she could join in the fun. However, she was pretty sure she would have to work on Friday so figured she would just ride along with the *Aints* on Saturday. She even volunteered to drive them. Judy and she had a good laugh about that - imagining Shirley and Bev sitting prim and proper in the back seat of the car giving Cindy explicit instructions as to speed, temperature and the need for a roadside rest!
Cindy said she had never been to Seven Caves but had always wanted to go and she asked about maybe staying Saturday night at the Campground where Judy and Kim would be spending Friday night. Judy thought that sounded like a plan and said she would call the Aints to see what they wanted to do about meals. Cindy thought the simpler the better and Judy agreed, "As long as we have hot tea and some Cheerios for breakfast!!"
Judy emailed Kim and Patsy with the new details as soon as she hung up the phone and then went back to the computer to work some more on the Seven Caves itinerary. She pulled up a local newspaper to see what other events would be happening that week end in Bainbridge and just happened to see a story about a missing couple. Seems they had gone hiking at Seven Caves and just disappeared. Calls to their cell phones went straight to voice mail and their car remained parked in the lot where they'd left it. Judy emailed the article to Kim with a, "What do you make of this?" comment added.
Then she went back to figuring how long it would take them to get to the Campground and how much food they would need for the week end and the missing couple slipped into the back room of her mind....
Cindy said she had never been to Seven Caves but had always wanted to go and she asked about maybe staying Saturday night at the Campground where Judy and Kim would be spending Friday night. Judy thought that sounded like a plan and said she would call the Aints to see what they wanted to do about meals. Cindy thought the simpler the better and Judy agreed, "As long as we have hot tea and some Cheerios for breakfast!!"
Judy emailed Kim and Patsy with the new details as soon as she hung up the phone and then went back to the computer to work some more on the Seven Caves itinerary. She pulled up a local newspaper to see what other events would be happening that week end in Bainbridge and just happened to see a story about a missing couple. Seems they had gone hiking at Seven Caves and just disappeared. Calls to their cell phones went straight to voice mail and their car remained parked in the lot where they'd left it. Judy emailed the article to Kim with a, "What do you make of this?" comment added.
Then she went back to figuring how long it would take them to get to the Campground and how much food they would need for the week end and the missing couple slipped into the back room of her mind....
Monday, July 20, 2009
Always a Party...
It was always a fun time for Judy, chief organizer of their getaways. She would spend way too much time on the computer figuring trip routes, checking for anything special in the small towns they were sure to pass through and looking for restaurants with wholesome food inside and green tags on their outside doors from the health departments.
Of course, rarely did they follow the maps she printed, preferring instead to head for the hills using only a compass to drive in circles, squares and zigzags until finally reaching the destinaion an hour late worn out from laughing so hard along the way at imaginary evil doers and evil doings. The towns on the maps had to get by without the girls and eventually they'd give up on finding wholesome food and pull into a mom and pop ice cream store for a shredded chicken sandwich with a milkshake chaser. Patsy used to tell all who would listen that if they were ever to climb into a vehicle with Judy or Kim they'd best use the restroom and grab a bottle of water BEFORE they took off. Especially if the word, "shortcut", was mentioned.
Judy started looking for a nice camp grounds near Seven Caves since she liked the idea of going a day early and camping out overnite. The last time she and Kim had camped had to have been several years back when they went to Finley State Park. That was a tale in itself. For another time...
Ain't Bee was often a willing participant in the girls' adventures but too many were already going to be on vacation at work the middle of August, so it was decided she and Aunt Shirley would join up with the girls on Saturday. Patsy had made arrangements at her end so that she, too, could join in the festivities. She was kinda sorta hoping the fabulous Kimozeena and Juditozam could re perm her hair. She was sure there would be a pond (for rinsing) at whatever campground Judy found and she figured if she got there before they were in bed (8:30PM) with her perm kit and towel they would be more than happy to beautify her as they had in the past. She was somewhat concerned because she intended to color her hair before leaving Friday morning but figured her hair was pretty tough and could handle two chemical processes in one day. Shoot the worst that could happen was some of it might fall out. She thought she better remember to toss in one of her kids' toboggan hats. Just in case.
So, after all the reservations were in Judy got busy online making the arrangements for what she hoped would be a most memorable daycation at Seven Caves. She did, for just a brief moment, wonder if perhaps they should choose another location for their gathering. Somewhere in the deep dark recesses of her brain she could almost hear a jangling sound. After considering things for a bit she realized it was just her cell phone battery going dead. WHich reminded her of the last time she, Kim and Ain't Bee had been to Seven Caves. There were 2 trails and the Caretaker kept encouraging them to take the Second Trail. He assured them several times that there were wonderful things to be seen *down there* and how much fun they would have and to not mind at all about the gates on the Big Cave at the end. NObody could lock them in cause the gates were rusty and hadn't been moved in years. ANd the view inside the cave was simply beyond belief. Kim and Judy were ready to head on down ol' Second Trail but Ain't Bee got all hard headed and insisted they take Trail One. Maybe THIS year they'd get to see the magnificent view at the end of Second Trail!
Of course, rarely did they follow the maps she printed, preferring instead to head for the hills using only a compass to drive in circles, squares and zigzags until finally reaching the destinaion an hour late worn out from laughing so hard along the way at imaginary evil doers and evil doings. The towns on the maps had to get by without the girls and eventually they'd give up on finding wholesome food and pull into a mom and pop ice cream store for a shredded chicken sandwich with a milkshake chaser. Patsy used to tell all who would listen that if they were ever to climb into a vehicle with Judy or Kim they'd best use the restroom and grab a bottle of water BEFORE they took off. Especially if the word, "shortcut", was mentioned.
Judy started looking for a nice camp grounds near Seven Caves since she liked the idea of going a day early and camping out overnite. The last time she and Kim had camped had to have been several years back when they went to Finley State Park. That was a tale in itself. For another time...
Ain't Bee was often a willing participant in the girls' adventures but too many were already going to be on vacation at work the middle of August, so it was decided she and Aunt Shirley would join up with the girls on Saturday. Patsy had made arrangements at her end so that she, too, could join in the festivities. She was kinda sorta hoping the fabulous Kimozeena and Juditozam could re perm her hair. She was sure there would be a pond (for rinsing) at whatever campground Judy found and she figured if she got there before they were in bed (8:30PM) with her perm kit and towel they would be more than happy to beautify her as they had in the past. She was somewhat concerned because she intended to color her hair before leaving Friday morning but figured her hair was pretty tough and could handle two chemical processes in one day. Shoot the worst that could happen was some of it might fall out. She thought she better remember to toss in one of her kids' toboggan hats. Just in case.
So, after all the reservations were in Judy got busy online making the arrangements for what she hoped would be a most memorable daycation at Seven Caves. She did, for just a brief moment, wonder if perhaps they should choose another location for their gathering. Somewhere in the deep dark recesses of her brain she could almost hear a jangling sound. After considering things for a bit she realized it was just her cell phone battery going dead. WHich reminded her of the last time she, Kim and Ain't Bee had been to Seven Caves. There were 2 trails and the Caretaker kept encouraging them to take the Second Trail. He assured them several times that there were wonderful things to be seen *down there* and how much fun they would have and to not mind at all about the gates on the Big Cave at the end. NObody could lock them in cause the gates were rusty and hadn't been moved in years. ANd the view inside the cave was simply beyond belief. Kim and Judy were ready to head on down ol' Second Trail but Ain't Bee got all hard headed and insisted they take Trail One. Maybe THIS year they'd get to see the magnificent view at the end of Second Trail!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Trip organizer
Judy had always been the official organizer of all the HAPPY CAMPER trips so this trip was no exception. She got on the phone right away and called their dear friend Patsy. Patsy was missed by all the Camper crew because she lived way down in Alabama, however, she did make it back to Ohio a couple times a year and they were hoping she could make it for the 7 caves day of fun.
Patsy was out walking herself and her dogs when she received the call. She just laughed and said that it sure sounded fun but the kids were off for their summer break and she was hesitant to leave them. After much coercion by Judy, Patsy said she'd see what she could do. Maybe her brother could watch the children for a few days but she wasn't promising anything. Maybe there was a chance Patsy would be there!
Judy then called Aunt Shirley. She had not gone with them to the caves the first time around. Maybe she would like it. She was part of the Happy Campers from time to time and was always partnered up with Ain't Bee. Possibly the youngsters could convince them to take turns pushing the old black buttons in the dark depths of the caves while they stood safely high and dry in the caves entrances. Aunt Shirley agreed that it sure sounded like a fun daytrip but she wasn't sure if she could go. She had to feed her cats no later than 6:00 p.m. but she would think about it.
Ain't Bee was always game for any day out so she was excited and rearing to go.
The only thing left to decide was the day and time of departure. Judy and Kim had mentioned spending the night at a campground, sleeping in a tent like they did one other time. They had a blast and it was a very appealing idea. No one else was game so the two brave ones even considered going up a day early, just the two of them and having everyone else meet them there at the caves the following morning. That was still to be ironed out. All they knew was that they were like kids in a candy store and the day trip was there to satisfy their sweet tooth!
Patsy was out walking herself and her dogs when she received the call. She just laughed and said that it sure sounded fun but the kids were off for their summer break and she was hesitant to leave them. After much coercion by Judy, Patsy said she'd see what she could do. Maybe her brother could watch the children for a few days but she wasn't promising anything. Maybe there was a chance Patsy would be there!
Judy then called Aunt Shirley. She had not gone with them to the caves the first time around. Maybe she would like it. She was part of the Happy Campers from time to time and was always partnered up with Ain't Bee. Possibly the youngsters could convince them to take turns pushing the old black buttons in the dark depths of the caves while they stood safely high and dry in the caves entrances. Aunt Shirley agreed that it sure sounded like a fun daytrip but she wasn't sure if she could go. She had to feed her cats no later than 6:00 p.m. but she would think about it.
Ain't Bee was always game for any day out so she was excited and rearing to go.
The only thing left to decide was the day and time of departure. Judy and Kim had mentioned spending the night at a campground, sleeping in a tent like they did one other time. They had a blast and it was a very appealing idea. No one else was game so the two brave ones even considered going up a day early, just the two of them and having everyone else meet them there at the caves the following morning. That was still to be ironed out. All they knew was that they were like kids in a candy store and the day trip was there to satisfy their sweet tooth!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Moleman Prophesy
It was a long time coming. The Happy Campers had had a long, hardworking spring and were due for a day or two of fun and relaxation. Judy had asked where to go for a daycation and Kim thought that the 7 caves was the place to go. The idea came because Judy had arranged that day of fun several years prior. Judy, Ain't Bee and Kim had gone to see the outdoor drama "Tecumseh", spent the night in a hotel and on the way home Judy had planned a short stop at a place called the 7 Caves. It was a family owned property full of unique caves with wiring from 1912. The sign at the entrance of the cave might say something like; "Snow white and the seven Dwarfs". You would walk a few feet into the damp, drippy cave and there would be an old black button with an old sign saying " push to see Snow White and the seven dwarfs". One brave enough, and they elected Ain't Bee to be THAT one, would push the button which was connected to a cloth wrapped wire which in turn powered a single 40 watt bulb that would flicker and come to life revealing some formation of rock slightly resembling one larger shape and seven smaller ones. None the less the tour was a fun one with beautiful scenery and many caves and such to explore. The only "iffy" part of the trip was the greeter and gatekeeper of the park. At the time of their first arrival they were taken in by the appearance of the uncomely fellow at the gate. He was short, humped over and COVERED in warts. It wasn't long before they dubbed him MOLE MAN. Not ones to pass judgement, they returned his kindness and continued with the days event. As it turned out, it was so memorable, that that was the place they decided to return to for their day of fun. That part was settled but who would join them? It was up to the planner of the group; Judy!
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