Follow-the-River July 18-20, 2014

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Follow-the-River July 18-20, 2014 Encamped along the Ohio River in Florence, Indiana (Switzerland County) are the Bluegrass Sams, once again convened to appreciate the beauty of nature and their own

1 Follow-the-River July 18-20, 2014 Encamped along the Ohio River in Florence, Indiana (Switzerland County) are the Bluegrass Sams, once again convened to appreciate the beauty of nature and their own natural beauty. Larry + Amy + Mo + Gypsy, Mitchell + Sandi + Murphy, Jim + Alane + Ziggy + Zia, Tony + Sue + Chip, Paul + Tiny + extended four-legged family, Bob + Linda + Cece, Gary + Bonnie, Jerry + Shirley, Mike + Donna + the Maltese troupe, Barry + Lynn + Wendy. 10 Rigs Cameo Appearance Al + Ann + Ozzie Guest Appearance Wayne Parks Here there are 151 sites with full hookups. On 131 sites there are level, concrete pads. Many pull-throughs, many lake front sites, many wood front sites. For leisurely daily walks four-legged campers enjoy a gently curving, treeshaded, paved pathway along a creek and through open meadows. Otters swim in the creek and deer graze in the meadows and fields.

2 The camp is nestled between the Ohio River and green forested hills. Blues and greens are the prevailing summer colors. Pure white clouds appear some days. Pregnant rain clouds other days. Southern Indiana is fertile farmland with vast expanses of corn, soy beans, alfalfa, and stands of tobacco. Amish country with clean, well-maintained homesteads off the beaten path. On the roads less traveled, occasional Amish variety and craft shops are available for discovery by curious explorers. Nearby points of interest include Markland Dam Park, the Belterra Casino and Spa, wineries, the Ohio River, and the clothes-free Drakes Ridge Rustic Nudist Retreat affiliated with the American Association for Nude Recreation but not approved by the American Dermatology Association. On this expedition Sams relax themselves into the open space, the blues and greens, the silence and bird songs, their own leisurely thoughts and curious observations, communal meals, engaging conversation, games and laughter. As always, Sams enjoy greeting each other with smiles, hearty handshakes and comforting hugs. They assess how well everyone is and check that all joints are in place and working well. Playful banter and laughter soon fill the space around them. Once settled in, Sams enjoy eating out, cooking out, sitting out, walking, exploring, playing games and learning about the history of the area they re camping in. THURSDAY: As forward scouts, Jim + Alane are encamped already for a week. Other arrivals today include Tony + Sue, Bob + Linda, Barry + Lynn, Jerry + Shirley, Mike + Donna and Gary + Bonnie. Chip s campsite is located poolside. Inviting camping conditions in the morning. Clear, calm, dry and cool air with occasional breezes. Birds singing in the day. Open space. Fields of summer green grass and clover. Forested hills. Later, warm air and bright sunlight pose a temporary challenge. The Sams gather themselves in the shade of the Cougar. Casual, free-ranging conversation evolves. Soon plans begin to develop around matters of food. On this clear, bright day Jerry is dreaming about liver covered with onions and lathered in gravy. Not far from the campground his dream is realized at the Sunset Grill on the River. He is accompanied by his fellow Sams

3 who also enjoy dreaming about food. It is at the Sunset Grill that Sams remember the energy of their youth, now displayed by their waitress. After a satisfying meal, they return to camp. With the four-legged Sams they greet Gary + Bonnie and Mike + Donna. Lynn is accepting hugs. In September she and Barry will be cruising the Canadian waterways for two weeks. Montreal, down the St. Lawrence, out to sea, onto Nova Scotia, and finally to Portland, Maine. As darkness and cool evening air envelops the camp Tony creates fire. Same encircle themselves and relax as stars slowly appear in the night sky and tree frogs begin to croak. Annie, Molly, Maggie and Karma cuddle into warm laps. Free-ranging conversation ensues. Spice cupcakes with caramel icing are served, thanks to Sue. Bob enjoys a turnip which he shares with Jim. Tony continues to stoke the fire well past the editor s bedtime. FRIDAY Arriving today are Paul + Tiny, Mitchell + Sandi, Larry + Amy. At daybreak quiet thoughts form loosely in the heads of the Sams. Mike walks off trail, down to the creek and captures an otter and deer with his camera. Soon afterwards Jim follows in his footsteps, sits on a downed tree trunk by the creek. With his natural powers of observation he spies a baby otter climbing the embankment to a tunnel or den. Then an adult otter slides down the embankment, into the creek and slowly swims away. Back at the Cougar are historical treasures Gary and Barry and Jerry and Bob -- remembering experiences on the road, filled with stories of vast travels, camping adventures, and misadventures. With his new bionic shoulder joint, Paul challenges Jim to an arm wrestling contest. With Jim s original shoulder joint, the contest ends in a draw. Both men, equally strong. Riverboat gamblers Sandi, Tiny and Donna buck the odds and make some donations to the Belterra Casino. Tiny breaks even.

4 Gary + Bonnie and Paul and Jim play Mexican Train in the rain until Paul decides to bring the game under the Cougar s awning. After luring the other players into a false sense of confidence, Bonnie comes from way behind to bring her train in first, ahead of Gary by a point. Paul and Jim are left in their tracks. Always curious and observant, Mitchell wonders about the plate on the front of Barry s truck. It reads BUCEPHALUS. Mitchell surmises it must be some kind of disease. Later, at dinner Barry explains that BUCEPHALUS is the name of Alexander the Great s horse. It is now the name of Barry s truck. The name of his Fifth Wheel is Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, King of Crete. Remember Ariadne? She helped Theseus overcome the Minotaur. The first time she met Theseus she fell in love with him. A modern day parallel is the story of Tiny + Paul. When she first meets Paul she falls in love with him and saves him from himself. Paul says so. He credits Tiny for saving him. As an editorial aside, I love this story. Sams dine at Jewell s on Main in Warsaw, Kentucky (Gallatin County). In the annals of the Bluegrass Sams it is recorded here first that Bob and Jim complete their meal ahead of Mitchell, a superb eater. Not being a glutton for punishment, Mitchell is unable to finish his meal; another first in the history of this venerable chapter. However, with the heart and stomach of a true champion Mitchell rallies for a dessert of bread pudding. In daylight Larry + Amy arrive and pitch camp before the other Sams return from dinner. In a steady, gentle rain Sams convene at the Cougar with Larry + Amy, Mo + Gypsy. There is much talk and planning about the Fall Samboree when the men will put on their big girl panties and bras in the name of entertainment. SATURDAY Quiet, cloud-covered morning with muted light. Soft bird songs. Larry, lugging camera equipment on his shoulder, hunting for deer and other residents of the forests, meadows and creek. At 5:30 Bob is capturing bass, maybe 10 or more. Alane says, Holy mackerel! Abiding by camp rules, Bob returns the fish to their lake to swim freely.

5 A communal outdoor breakfast includes eggs, bacon, pancakes, sausage gravy and biscuits, an egg/sausage casserole, a cinnamon coffee cake, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapes, bananas and strawberries. Bob and Mitchell sit on the bank of the lake and try to lure fish. A camera crew, Mike and Larry, are there to capture any moments. Long periods of quiet stillness uninterrupted by momentary excitement. Afterwards Bob and Mitchell return to camp to play the dobro and the dulcimer. Alane and other wine lovers drive to the Ridge Winery to sample and purchase their products. Later, they drive to Vevay and happen upon the Vevay Tent Chautauqua and Art Fair. Bob, Mitchell and Jim join the party. The program includes Dance Interludes, the Reen Family Barbershop Quartet, the Poetry of James Whitcomb Riley, a Suffragette speech, and Dr Balthasar s Marvelous Miracle Medicine Show. The ladies earlier learn about Tommy O Day, an Irishman, who lived for more than fifty years in Vevay and died at the age of 93. At age 18 Tommy found himself in the British Army during the Crimean War, and leading the Charge of the Light Brigade, brought to poetic life by Alfred Lord Tennyson. Forty years later, in 1891 Rudyard Kipling wrote his poem, The Last of the Light Brigade. But enough about this historical aside. Al + Ann + Ozzie arrive this afternoon to complete and add laughter to this convention of Sams. Communal outdoor dining includes Larry s excellent pork medallions and homemade tomato relish, fried cabbage and onions and an assortment of other food brought to the table. Desserts include Sue s homemade ice cream, vanilla and strawberry. After dinner Tony creates fire. Sams gaze into the fire and relax themselves into a digestive state. Four-legged campers Sams join the gathering. Even Zia is invited. She approaches the Sams with her customary barking. With some group therapy she begins to engage in greeting behavior and play. She relaxes a bit. This is good social training for her. Later, there is a game of Reveal. Secrets written on pieces of paper are drawn by each Sam and read aloud to the group. The group then guesses which Sam revealed that secret about themselves. Mystery and surprise and fun. Into the dark of night Sams relax and then are

6 excited by Tony s fire suddenly enhanced with blue, green and turquoise colors provided by Paul and Donna. SUNDAY Crowning the green hills a morning mist. The sound of a former tug boat, now pushing itself along the Ohio. A great silence before the birds sing in the day. Today Sams will speak into the silence, filling it with inspired words, bringing comfort and support, touching souls and stirring up laughter. Appreciating their lives, their camping friends, the wonders of nature, the pleasure of communal meals, the joy of laughter, the shared explorations, Sams are always grateful for another opportunity to bring themselves together, once again affirming their love and concern for each other. Breaking camp today they return to their homes and communities with Good Sam spirits and unbridled spirits, treating others with dignity and respect and seeking the good in themselves and others.

Follow The River October 2016

Follow The River October 2016 One of the SAMS favorite campgrounds is the destination this month. Follow the River is north of the border across the Ohio River in southern Indiana, Switzerland County.