For the last couple of weeks, I’d been prepping the trailer—installing a new battery and inverter, getting everything dialed in for a birthday week camping trip with Snacks. After Joanne left on her trip to France, I hung around the acreage for a few days, but it wasn’t long before I realized I needed a proper break. I finished up the trailer prep and hit the road west on Sunday, July 5th.
The weather was ideal. I found a perfect, secluded spot, set up camp, and put Snacks in the trailer so I could go search for firewood. I didn’t have to go far to find good deadwood, brought it back, and got to work—cutting, splitting, and stacking a solid pile. Since it was getting late, dinner was simple: Smokies over the open fire. Exhaustion from days of non-stop work and prepping caught up with me pretty fast, so I turned in early.
Bright and early the next morning, I let the dog out to do his business. The grass was heavy with morning dew. It was too beautiful out not to start a fire, so I got one crackling. Looking over at Snacks, I could see his paws were wet and he was freezing. I grabbed him, tucked him into the chair next to me, and wrapped him up in a blanket like a newborn. I sat back with my morning coffee, enjoying the total peace of a private campsite—just Snacks and me.♥️
Then came lunchtime. I reached into the cabinet for a plate, planning to make a good meal, and spotted movement. Maggots. I dug through the cupboard and found some old pistachios that had turned into a full-blown infestation spreading toward the dishware.
Luckily, I had plenty of disinfectant on hand, so I spent the next several hours scrubbing down the cupboard—exactly how everyone dreams of spending their vacation. Between the pests, the mosquitoes, and keeping Snacks from freezing in the damp grass, my enthusiasm was running on empty.
I gathered firewood for one last night and made a great supper, but made up my mind to head home Tuesday. That evening, I sat out by the fire longer than usual, holding Snacks close in his blanket with music drifting through the camp. It was a peaceful night, enjoying the smoke and tunes, even if the trip was cut short.
Tuesday morning was pure business: early wake-up, quick breakfast, packed it all down. I had high hopes for a five-day getaway, but sometimes things just don’t go your way. By mid-afternoon, I was back home in the driveway, starting the deep clean on the trailer. What a disaster…🤬