NOLIN LAKE STATE PARK September 2016

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Jonathan Richards
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NOLIN LAKE STATE PARK September 2016 Setting off on another camping adventure, the family of adventurous, traveling SAMS gathers this month at Nolin Lake State Park in Edmonson County.

1 NOLIN LAKE STATE PARK September 2016 Setting off on another camping adventure, the family of adventurous, traveling SAMS gathers this month at Nolin Lake State Park in Edmonson County. The park encompasses 333 acres of land and 5,795 acres of blue-green water, home to fish and turtles. In this small, remote and quiet campground there are 32 sites with water and electric hookups. A nearby dump station serves its purpose. ENCAMPED SAMS Larry + Amy + Gypsy + Miss Priss, Al + Ann + Ozzie, Tony + Sue + Chip, Jim + Alane + Ziggy + Zia, Mike + Donna + the Maltese Troupe, Tommy + Karen + Bella, Paul + Tiny + Koko, Tommy + Linda Jo + David Janson + Biscuit + Peanut, Steve + Lisa + Casper + Cutip, Ron + Judie

2 DISPERSED SAMS Gary + Bonnie Bob + Linda Mitchell + Sandi + (little) Ozzie GUESTS/FRIENDS/NEW MEMBERS Ron + Judie Wells David Janson 10 RIGS Across the Commonwealth, through forests of green finery and fields of brown corn stalks, over greenly covered limestone hills, some SAMS travel. All SAMS are aiming for a small, remote, quiet, wooded, lakeside campground. Before this final destination the patience and driving skills of all SAMS are tested on long, narrow, winding, hilly country roads. TUESDAY Arriving today are Al + Ann + (big) Ozzie, Larry + Amy + Gypsy + Miss Priss, and Jim + Alane + Ziggy + Zia.

At the Cougar campsite of Larry + Amy, the camp kitchen and dining table are open. The SAMS swarthy master chef of Portuguese descent is preparing a meal for any SAMS in camp.

As the sun sets slowly and the light softens, the canine SAMS are fed and off on their walks.

3 At the Cougar campsite of Larry + Amy, the camp kitchen and dining table are open. The SAMS swarthy master chef of Portuguese descent is preparing a meal for any SAMS in camp. Steak, potatoes and corn on the cob. Salad is also on the menu. Ann brings chocolate chip cookies for dessert. As the sun sets slowly and the light softens, the canine SAMS are fed and off on their walks. Lugging his tripod and professional camera equipment, Larry treks the short distance to the water s edge to capture the dream with Gypsy. Gypsy s dream is to stand in the water, near Larry. Soon the SAMS are encircled in their chairs, back at the Cougar campsite and looking into the crimson clouds and their reflections in the lake, appreciating the silence, the growing night sounds, and the moon s brilliance. SAMS are aware of their wealth of natural fortunes.

4 WEDNESDAY Arriving today are Tony + Sue + Chip, Mike + Donna + the Maltese Troupe, Tommy + Karen + Bella, and Ron + Judie. A deep stillness in the lake. Fish leaping to the surface, perhaps looking for Bob who is not encamped. Crickets sounding. Squirrels hunting. Trees at rest. SAMS slowly preparing for a new day. At the Cougar campsite this morning, in the camp kitchen, the master chef is preparing eggs, bacon and biscuits. All SAMS are invited. After breakfast, Gypsy follows Larry to the lake shore and launches herself into the water for an extended swim. Shaking with excitement, Miss Priss hops along the rocks before she jumps in to swim with her big sister, but not quite so far out. She realizes that she is in over her depth and knows to swim herself back to shore. The SAMS are entertained by this spontaneous eruption of canine joy. When Tony pulls into camp, Alane greets him, How are you, ornery as ever? By self-proclamation, Tony corrects her, Sweet as ever. In the early evening SAMS relax in the long shadows at the Cougar campsite, by the lake shore. Soon, the camp kitchen is open. On the menu are hamburgers, hotdogs, Bush s baked beans and salad. After dinner the master photographers, Larry and Mike, are down by the water s edge to capture images in soft light.

Later, SAMS settle into their camping chairs around Larry s snap fire fueled with propane. They talk and listen to music and singing by John Mayer, Adele and other artists.

5 Later, SAMS settle into their camping chairs around Larry s snap fire fueled with propane. They talk and listen to music and singing by John Mayer, Adele and other artists. Into the dark the camp is alive with vibrant SAM voices, stories and laughter. Even before the editor retires, Ann is first to leave the gathering. She explains that she needs to wash gravel out of her hair. This untold story implicates Larry. THURSDAY Arriving today are Paul + Tiny + Koko, Tommy + Linda Jo + their friend, David Janson + Peanut + Biscuit. Soft light and long shadows in camp. Crickets and song birds. Overfloating butterflies, with aimless curiosity, displaying their colors. Fish and turtles navigating blue-green water. Tommy + Karen sitting out, looking over the lake, sipping coffee, relaxing with Bella. This morning breakfast is again prepared in the camp kitchen by the commander-in-chef. Biscuits, gravy and bacon. Blueberry bread is brought in, and orange juice. The woods come alive with organic, free-flowing conversation, playful teasing and laughter. Later, maintaining his heart-healthy lifestyle, Ron is lacing his Nike shoes and running 7 ½ miles on narrow country roads in the hills above the lake. After he returns, Judie is observed

In the camp kitchen this evening there are soup beans simmering in two large Dutch ovens. In three small Dutch ovens corn bread is rising. To complete the meal other dishes are brought.

6 hunkered down in the grass, like a pioneer woman, rinsing out Ron s running shirt in a plastic basin. Throughout the day SAMS read, write, listen to music, practice advanced photography, fish, draw, sew, appreciate being together, and nap at times. In the camp kitchen this evening there are soup beans simmering in two large Dutch ovens. In three small Dutch ovens corn bread is rising. To complete the meal other dishes are brought. Sauerkraut, macaroni salad, fried potatoes, chocolate cake, cookies. After the evening meal, Ron is observed on the far side of the Cougar, cleaning Dutch ovens while Larry is cleaning up in the kitchen. Soon, the canine SAMS are fed and walked, and then lounging around the snap fire with their bipedal SAMS. The editor is in the editing room when Judie leaves the gathering to knock on the editing room door. When the door is open, Zia is quickly down the steps, and then the editor in his striking plaid pajamas imported from China. Not far from this moment, the editor becomes an alliteration around the campfire. Jammy Jim. Al wants this noted in the

Newsyletter. On another evening Mike will wear his pajamas to the evening gathering, but he cannot become an alliteration.

His once debilitating condition is slowly and dramatically improving. This morning a blue, true, dream of sky. Forest green finery. Calm blue-green water.

Watermelon and honeydew melon. During breakfast conversation, memories from the past are racing into the present in GTOs.

7 Newsyletter. On another evening Mike will wear his pajamas to the evening gathering, but he cannot become an alliteration. FRIDAY Arriving today, bringing more laughter and healing energy, are Steve + Lisa + Casper + Cutip. It is noted here that Steve is a medical marvel. His once debilitating condition is slowly and dramatically improving. This morning a blue, true, dream of sky. Forest green finery. Calm blue-green water. Crickets sounding. SAMS gathering their thoughts about them. Breakfast is being prepared at Dawg s camp kitchen. Pancakes, eggs, sausage and bacon. Watermelon and honeydew melon. During breakfast conversation, memories from the past are racing into the present in GTOs. A few stories reveal that Ann was born to be wild. Al was apparently born this way also. This evening, at the Cougar campsite, pulled pork is being served. A varied buffet is assembled by the SAMS. And, as always, there is more than enough food to be consumed.

8 The SAMS master eater is not encamped while he is training his new knee back home. Once again, after the meal, Ron is observed on the far side of the Cougar, cleaning Dutch ovens. Before the SAMS are able to digest their food, wind, rain, thunder and lightning arrive in camp. Soon, a gentle summer shower follows preceding a brilliant harvest moon shining over the SAMS camp. SATURDAY A gentle rain. Trees dancing in early morning breezes. In the camp kitchen, under protective cover of EZ-UPS, Larry is making preparations for sweet potato hash, fried eggs and bacon. Tony is assisting. Other SAMS are cozy in their campers, listening to the soft rain, now falling harder, threatening to unsettle and scramble SAM thoughts of a communal breakfast. But, such appetizing thoughts are not easily washed away. A plan is developed to deliver plates of food to the SAMS in their campers. By shoe leather express, Mike brings the plan to the other SAMS. Veteran campers, the SAMS are not deterred by these weather conditions. Soon, hungry SAMS are emerging from their campers and convening under three EZ-UPS at the Cougar campsite. They happily dine while rain falls all around them. For the evening meal Larry calls an audible (football lingo for changing the play at the line of scrimmage). Because of some unpredictable weather changes scheduled for the day, he changes the menu from brisket to hamburgers. Angus beef

9 hamburger patties are placed on the grill. Another expansive buffet of food and desserts is available. As daylight becomes dusk, the sky and lake are painted with a crimson blush. A wood fire is created and the SAMS lounge in camp chairs at the Cougar campsite before a meeting is conducted. Mike appears in his pajamas for maximum comfort. As the wagon master, Al presents the voting results for next year s camping. The schedule is now completed, for the most part. Al + Ann will check on one of the preferred campgrounds that the SAMS have not been to. They will determine if the grounds are up to SAM standards. The most exciting news of the evening is the announcement that the SAMS treasured friends from south of the border, in Nashville, are joining the SAMS. And David Janson, long-time friend of Tommy + Linda Jo, is also throwing his lot in with the SAMS. SUNDAY An inviting day for breaking camp and for thinking. A thought occurs to the editor that the SAMS might want to explore Nolin Lake next September, when they return. Mike reports that pontoon boats are rented across the lake at Moutardier Marina. Perhaps the SAMS will want to rent a pontoon boat for a day next year. Familiar with the lake from previous

10 boating excursions, Mike could be quickly promoted to Captain and tour guide. Next month the SAMS will rendezvous at Follow the River RV Park, on the Indiana side of the Ohio River.

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.