The Fourth Night

We left Orland fairly early, about 8 am, trying to get ahead of the incoming rain. For the most part we met that objective. Today's drive took us through Indiana, Illinois, and into Wisconsin.  Our stop tonight is at Neshonoc Lakeside Camp Resort in West Salem, Wisconsin. Before we went to the campground we stopped at Linda's Bakery, which was open on Sunday. We bought a couple of hard rolls, chocolate chip cookies, some buttermilk chocolate donuts and two homemade dog biscuits.

When we arrived at the campground, we asked about the facilities and amenities. Again no Internet unless you pay a third party. I tried to buy one day for $3.95 but couldn't get it to work. So again no Internet, no blog post.  Also no cable. I'm beginning to loose touch with the world and that's starting to bother me. I miss my nightly news. On the positive side of the equation, this campground was on a beautiful lake and we had the perfect view.

If you are traveling with children, this campground has a wonderful area for the little ones to play, two swimming pools, boat docks, a small beach area, sand volleyball court, basketball court, and lots of planned activities.

Volleyball Court

Playground

Upper Pool

Again our site was one site removed from the bathroom/showers. They were spotless.

Since we hadn't showered since Salem, we were both feeling in need of that particular amenity. The shower had a 5-minute timer, but was free of charge. We both felt more relaxed following our showers.

The weather was very humid even though the skies were partly cloudy. The temperature was 95• with a feels like of 104•. So we cranked the A/C in the trek to cool it off for sleeping, and then sat outside with the dogs in the shade of the big tree. We also put the awning out for additional shade.

They have two pools, one up on our level and one on the lower level. As always the staff is friendly and very helpful. Our site is fairly level, as most have been which saves us from having to buy leveling blocks.

Tonight we were planning on having hamburgers, cucumber & tomato salad, and chips. A real barbecue cook out.  But per Murphy's Law, I couldn't get the grill to light. Could be the wind, fairly brisk, like a blast furnace. Thank God the rig has A/C.

This seemed like it was going to be one of the noisiest campgrounds we stayed at. One neighbor is blaring country music and we are surrounded by campers with barking dogs and crying babies. We were going to try for an early evening, but with a the commotion surrounding us, sleep may be elusive.

As I was getting ready for bed, Michael was returning from the bathroom  Our neighbor told him that there was a big storm coming our way with tons of lightening, 70 mile per hour winds and hail. Having lived though one rain storm already, we decided to stow the awning and batten down the hatches. The storm hit at about 1:30am and lasted for about two hours. I can't remember such severe lightening. It was flash after flash, but it must have been  off in the distance.   There were a few very loud claps of thunder the shook the RV. The wind and rain came down horizontally. It was like being in a brushless carwash (which we really needed).

This morning Michael woke before me. He got dressed and used the facilities. When he returned, he found me still sleeping and decided to take a walk around the campground. When I got up, I leashed up the dogs for their morning walk and found Michael sitting at a picnic table drinking coffee and talking with a neighbor, Randy. Randy offered me a cup and while I walked the kids, he brewed a fresh pot. Turns out Randy's wife's parents live near West Salem and that's what brought them out here. Randy and his wife are from Bradenton,  FL. He's a retired police officer and she's retired from the Federal Government.

Randy offered some good advice about dumping the gray and black water, and for relative newbies like us that practical advice was really welcomed.

All from West Salem,

Walt