Let's see, I've been here in the South Carolina state park in my little A-frame camper for about 48 hours now...
The first campsite was at the far edge of the park in a wooded thicket that was completely covered in trash. And the picnic table was positioned down a hill in a wet and muddy area, making the table impossible to use. So I pulled into the site and drove my camper back and forth until I could make it level. Then I popped the top up and began unloading my car.
...and I've already called two campsites home.
When I phoned the park last week to make my 30 day reservation, the clerk asked me which site I would like to be assigned. "You pick it," I said and then thanked her as I hung up the phone.
Mistake #1.
The first campsite was at the far edge of the park in a wooded thicket that was completely covered in trash. And the picnic table was positioned down a hill in a wet and muddy area, making the table impossible to use. So I pulled into the site and drove my camper back and forth until I could make it level. Then I popped the top up and began unloading my car.
Next I dragged out the "soccer tarp" with the heavy metal frame and heaved and hoed it until I finally got it somewhat in place. I was not able to extend it to its full height, so settled for placing my chairs under it and a log metal table, and went ducking in and out from under it as I set up the outdoor kitchen.
When it began to get dark, I went inside my camper and began setting up my bed. Suddenly I heard a ruckus on the metal table outside, and then a ripping sound and a crash and scampering under bushes and trees. As I stepped out of my camper and into the darkened site I saw my heavy bag filled with supplies ripped, and saw cups and knives and kitchen goods tumbling from it and crashing on the table and the ground below. Listening again, I heard a thunderous stomping in the thicket just a few steps away.
I tried to assert my dominance over my intended territory snatcher and stood my ground as I quickly gathered everything that was under my tarp and placed it back in my car. Then I went back inside and had a warm and comforting dinner of homemade ham and 15 bean soup, a cornmeal muffin, and some hot tea.
And it's a good thing I ate a nice meal, because a few hours later when the temperatures dropped into the 30's and the electric power went out in my camper, I just snuggled a little deeper under my covers, and went comfortably back to sleep.
The next morning I noticed this small sign at the edge of my campsite a few steps into the hedge:
Today I am in a new and improved site, without a thicket and in the warm sun. I'm hoping to settle in here and make it for the duration...!
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