Becoming part of the Canal Camping Community

Sunrise over Barkley Lake from Browns Point in the Canal Campground

Hey, Y’all!  Welcome back and HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Woo wee!!  What a year 2020 was, huh?!  It was certainly a year that could easily be looked upon as a “bad” year for various valid reasons.  Although I could list a few of those for myself quite easily, I can also give quite the list of the great moments the year brought with it.  Hopefully, as you look back on last year you can also list some positives.  Perhaps you were like us and made a decision that would ultimately change your life?!  Seems like quite a dramatic statement to be made when referring to “just” purchasing a travel trailer.  But, what seemed in the beginning to be such a small decision became so much larger.  Why?  Because of all of the memories we made, the people we met and friendships we now cherish.  All thanks to how the Coronavirus impacted our thinking and look on what is ultimately of more importance.  And, also in thanks to the time we were able to spend at the Canal Campground in Grand Rivers.

From the first of August until the end of October, we spent 2 weekends a month and a few full weeks camping at the Canal.  We used the notes we made during that first drive through the park as well as notes I’d make on our daily walks to book sites we thought we’d enjoy for one reason or another.  Closeness to the water was typically my top priority.  But, as we bounced from site-to-site over our time there, a different list of importance was created for future reservations. This list was based more on experience in staying in an area of the park or just circumstances pertaining to the site, itself.  One site, in particular, seemed awesome because of its close proximity to the water and not-too-distant location to the bathhouse.  But, after staying there, we realized it was WAY too close to the playground for us.  We also discovered that there are certain areas of the campground you really want to avoid during the fall season…when nuts are falling from the trees.  Tom’s new truck suffered the consequences of that lesson when it got pinged by falling acorns from some tall oak trees, leaving dents on the hood.  Ultimately, we learned that there are a lot more important details to pay attention to than just the view from a certain site.  There are ALWAYS lessons to be learned, huh?!

I know I’ve mentioned multiple times how we took walks around the campground.  This was our main activity while we camped, although we did also ride our bikes some. Our day typically started between 5:30-6a.m., having coffee and then breakfast.  After breakfast cleanup, we’d head out with another cup of coffee for our morning walk.  We’d cover the entire campground most mornings, which ended up being somewhere around three miles depending on the path we chose to take.  Aside from a few other early-risers, we didn’t run into too many other folks during this first trip around.  After lunch, we’d either take another walk or, even more often, a bike ride. Then, either before or after supper, we’d take our last lap around.  During those first few stays, we didn’t really have much conversation with any other camper aside from standard “Hello”, “How are you?” exchanges and some polite conversations with our site’s neighbors.  But, that soon changed.

After a few visits, we began to notice a lot of familiar faces from our previous stays. One family, in particular, seemed to be camping the same schedule as we were.  During our evening walks, we’d run into them as they were riding their golf cart around.  Sometimes, we’d meet them coming as we’d be going and exchange greetings/waves of acknowledgement, like we did anyone we came across.  Other times, they’d end up behind us.  It started happening so often that the husband, Kevin, started making comments like “I swear we aren’t stalking you!” every time they’d get right behind us.  We’d just laugh or make a sarcastic response, and keep on going.  Funny thing is, this became “our thing”.  So much so, that we ended up stopping in the middle of the street to chat one evening.  I mean, what better way to get to know your “stalker”, right?!  The next evening, the same thing happened….out for a walk, run into them and we stop to visit for a bit.  It didn’t take us long to strike up a friendship, and begin comparing future reservation dates.  In fact, we have kept in contact since camping season ended and have already booked time at the Canal where we can all be there together.  We are so excited to get back with our favorite family of “stalkers”.

 There are all kinds of wildlife to be seen at the Canal.  On one particular evening, we came around a corner and saw a few deer in a small field.  Even though the sight of deer is something we see almost daily at home, I still had to stop to watch them.  Ahead of us was a couple on a golf cart who’d also stopped to watch.  While the deer weren’t bothered by their golf cart, they were disturbed enough by Tom and I that they turned and ran back into the woods.  As we walked past the couple on the golf cart, the man made some funny remark about us running the deer off.  We laughed and kept on walking.  The next evening, we came up on a small group of golf carts who’d gathered together to catch up on what I can only assume were that day’s “hot topics”.  As we came back around, a fella stopped us, asking if we were the ones who’d run off the deer the previous night.  Laughing, we admitted it was us and began to chitchat with them for a bit.  The next evening, we ran into them again and struck up another conversation.  This time, we exchanged names and discussed upcoming reservations, and discovered we’d both be back in a couple of weekends.  

Flash forward to a couple of weekends later….out on our morning walk this time, and we come around the corner to see the fifth wheel belonging to that couple we’d met, him sitting outside.  “FRANK!!!!!”, I yell as we get closer to them.  He stands up, she (Sheryl) comes out with coffee in hand. And, there we all stand for the next hour and a half…they at their camper and us at the edge of their site, social distancing (who else can’t wait until we never hear those two words again??).  It wasn’t too long into our conversation that I mentioned my parents.  Somehow, I brought up the subject that they’d gone to Alaska the summer before.  To  which, they respond that they had also.  Come to find out, they’d been on the same trip with my parents!!  What are the odds??  Sheryl asks me what my parents’ names are…”Jay and Mary”, I say.  She and Frank look at each other in disbelief.  They begin telling me how they’d been two of a very small group of people who’d assisted my parents through what ended up being a grueling trip for a couple of my parents’ mature age.  Standing there, listening to how these two people, who didn’t know my parents from Adam, cared enough to make sure they were properly looked after and kept up with…well, tears welled up in my eyes and my heart nearly burst out of my chest.  I look at Sheryl, and she has tears in her eyes as she tells me how often she and Frank had spoken about my parents, how they’d so often wondered how they were.  These two fine people who I hadn’t even known existed before a few weeks prior, let alone had helped my parents, had crossed paths with us “just by happenstance”.  No.  Not really.  I don’t believe life works that way.  This was a God Thing.  Only He could orchestrate such happenings.  I’ve seen it way too many times in my life.  Nothing…not a “good” or “bad” life event…happens without reason.  He knew what He was doing when He placed these folks on that same trip with my parents.  He also knew what He was doing that innocent evening when we chose to take the path that lead us by those deer.  As I sit here typing those words, the tears come to my eyes and my heart feels full of love and appreciation.  Just knowing He loves us enough to not only bless my parents with this amazing couple, but to also bless mine and Tom’s lives with them.  How grateful we are for that.  You see, these two have come to mean so much to us in such a short time.  And, we cannot wait for the adventures with them that lie ahead!!

There was one more family that we were meant to get to know.  Although we didn’t have the same amount of time with them as we did the others, I am certain when camping season comes back around again we will get the opportunity.  I can already picture the shenanigans that will ensue with this fun group!  (Side note:  there is also quite the story to meeting these folks.  I just choose to keep that little ditty to myself to protect the innocent.)

While we are forging new friendships, we are also making numerous acquaintances.  I had a Welsh Corgi, Ali, for 18 years.  So, when we came across a couple who had TWO, I was immediately drawn to them.  We never learned the couples’ names, so they became “the Corgi people”.  We’d see them out on their golf cart, dogs along for the ride, and I’d say “The Corgi people are back!” as they’d meet us and wave.  

As recognizable as “the Corgi people” and others became to us, I’m pretty certain we became just as recognizable.  After all, how many people do you see wearing a backpack with a small Chihuahua in it, head up/out in order to not miss anything?  With Coonie looking out from his backpack, he definitely draws attention and an occasional conversation.  We have even had people stop us, asking if they can take a picture of him.  More often, we hear people chuckling and making comments like, “Look at that little dog in that backpack!”.  We always smile, acknowledge and often comment back about how much he loves to go and do whatever it is we are doing.  It’s funny, when we purchased that backpack a few years ago it was just a way to include him on our trips.  Little did we know the interactions with strangers that it would also bring into our lives.  

Now I’m wondering what those that came in contact with us called us?!  I hope it was something catchy.  Maybe we’ll find out in a few months when we FINALLY get to return to our beloved Canal Campground community!

Although the Canal closed at the end of October, we weren’t done with our camping adventures for the year.  Come back next time to learn what giant leap we took in our camping game!

XOXO,
T