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. Here there are 130 level concrete pads and patios with full hook-ups as well as free cable TV and WiFi. There is a nature trail through woods and meadows for canine and bipedal SAMS. At the campground is a fish friendly pond. Nearby is the Belterra floating river boat casino, an Amish country store, and a family-owned wine shop with a deck overlooking the river. ENCAMPED SAMS Larry + Amy + Gypsy + Miss Priss, Al + Ann + (big) Ozzie, Tony + Sue + Chip, Gary + Bonnie, Bob + Linda + Max, Mitchell + Sandi + (little) Ozzy, Jim + Alane + Ziggy + Zia, Mike + Donna + the Maltese Troupe, Paul + Tiny + Koko.
DISPERSED SAMS Steve + Lisa + Casper + Cutip Tommy + Karen + Bella Tommy + Linda Jo + Biscuit + Peanut David Ron + Judy GUESTS/FRIENDS Max Jeff + Helen Gardner 9 RIGS This is (little) Ozzy s first official campout with the other canine SAMS. Max (12-year-old Shih Tzu), guest of Bob + Linda, is on his first camping expedition. Ozzy and Max are curiously greeted and checked out by the canine SAMS and lovingly welcomed into camp by the bipedal SAMS. It seems that Ozzy and Max are already comfortable in the camping world. Walking through camp, exploring, meeting their cousins, napping. WEDNESDAY Arriving today are Jim + Alane + Ziggy + Zia, Tony + Sue + Chip, Al + Ann + Ozzie, Larry + Amy + Gypsy + Miss Priss, Mike + Donna + the
Maltese troupe. Larry and Tony back their Cougar Fifth Wheels into sites next to each other and establish their camps. Camp fires and gatherings will occur between the Cougar campsites. An Italian restaurant, west of camp, is where some of the hungry SAMS eat this evening. Other SAMS remain in camp. Lightning, thunder and pounding rain enter camp tonight. The SAMS are warm, dry and cozy in their campers. THURSDAY Arriving today are Bob + Linda + Max, Mitchell + Sandi + (little) Ozzy, Paul + Tiny + Koko, and Gary + Bonnie. A quiet Fall morning in camp. Soft light filtering through clouds. Mountains of green with intimations of future brilliance when they will be adorned with reds, oranges, yellows and rust colors. In the near distance the Ohio River with occasional barges of supplies being pushed along by tug boats sounding their fog horns. Ozzie is leading Al on one of his daily walks. Donna is parading the Maltese troupe in their green stroller. This evening sixteen SAMS travel a short distance over Markland Dam, across the Ohio River, and back into Kentucky to dine at Jewell s on Main. Joining the SAMS at their long table are friends of Mitchell + Sandi, Jeff + Helen Gardner who drive up from Lexington. During wide-ranging dinner conversation, at one time Sandi declares Alane s natural beauty to be self-evident She always looks beautiful. This evening a gentle rain falls in camp while the SAMS are deep in their sleeps.
FRIDAY Cool Fall air and colonies of clouds. At the camp kitchen, Larry is preparing biscuits and gravy in his Dutch ovens. All the SAMS bring breakfast foods and drinks to the community room where they will share food and food experiences. Prior to dining, Mitchell stands to publicly thank Donna for bringing (little) Ozzy into the family. As he hugs her, Mike is seated in the back, announcing that he drove the delivery truck. In the afternoon, before tea, Mike and Bob, the SAM anglers are down by the fish-friendly pond with their equipment. No fish are allowed to be removed from their watery home; only captured briefly and released. Today, however, they aren t able to be tricked out of the water. The lady SAMS schedule a tea at 2 o clock in the community room. Finger foods are included. Always gracious, the lady SAMS invite the gentlemen SAMS in later to enjoy their tea and assorted treats. Gambling SAMS Sandi, Ann, Amy and Tiny are shuttled by Mitchell to the Belterra Casino, floating nearby on the Ohio River. On board the casino river boat bandits attempt to separate the SAMS from their money. In a turn of fate, Amy robs one of the bandits of $44.00. Dinner in the community room includes grilled hot dogs, chili, salad, coleslaw and pumpkin roll. In the chilly night air, between the Cougar campsites SAMS encircle themselves in their camping chairs around a warm, crackling, woodburning camp fire. Free-flowing conversation, eruptive laughter, commentary of the wonders of nature and the sometimes puzzling nature of society, interrupted occasionally by moments of quiet reflection and thankfulness. Under threat of harm to the editor, some
news items are edited out of this newsyletter. Freedom of the press is a limited freedom around the night camp fires. SATURDAY After a cold, dark night SAMS awaken to a brisk, sunny morning with a blue, true, dream of sky. In Larry s camp kitchen, on the Cougar campsite, a mountain-man breakfast is being prepared in a large Dutch oven. Soon, SAMS are bringing various breakfast foods and drinks to the community room for their shared morning meal. Today, off on an exploratory expedition several SAMS set out on a country drive through Amish territory where they discover an Amish country store (Dutch Discount Grocery) and make purchases. On the far side of Vevay, three miles out of town, they come upon the future site of a living history museum in development. In Vevay, Alane directs these SAMS to the Schenck Mansion Bed and Breakfast, on a hillside above the Ohio River. They wonder around the outside of this 1874 mansion, not open for tours today. On the way back to camp, the SAMS stop at the Ridge Winery where they sit outside on the deck overlooking the river. Sipping wine, eating cheese, crackers and salami, and feeling grateful for their good fortunes good friends, good food, (relatively) good health, and an abiding faith. Back at camp, in the bright warmth of the day, a bunch of red mums sits on a picnic table at the Allegro campsite. There the editor sits with a yellow tablet and a dictionary, writing camp notes such as this. Nearby, at the Cougar campsite of Tony + Sue an assembly of SAMS, in restful conversation and easy laughter, sits encircled, appreciating being SAMS. In the next Cougar campsite, Larry is preparing a brisket for the SAMS evening meal. Out of this relaxing scene, Amy walks to
the editing table and delivers a partially filled bottle of Black Mead wine to the editor. This is the mystical drink of the Middle Ages, combining black currants and honey. The evening meal in the community room is a bountiful, SAM buffet with meat, vegetables, salad and deserts. Afterwards, a business meeting is conducted. The SAMS contribute to several charities out of their general funds. Later, the SAMS gather again in the community room to watch a movie, The Intern, before retiring. SUNDAY As the SAMS chaplain, Bob conducts a morning devotional in the community room. Linda hands out to each SAM an inspirational message, which each SAM reads aloud in turn. Prayers of solicitation and gratitude are offered. The challenges and joys of life are recognized. The importance of trust and faith, and approaching situations with courage, grace and humor. Included as an extension of the devotional SAMS reveal how they value each other and the friendships they ve developed over the years in this Kentucky chapter of the Good Sam Club. In November many SAMS will convene at the Cave Country RV Park where members of other Kentucky chapters of the Good Sam Club will meet for a Thanksgiving social gathering and food fest. As always, Larry will be preparing the main course. Huble as he may be, he s The Man.