Colfax,LA

Well, here we are in Louisiana. We are camping at Colfax RV Park. This campground is jointly managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers and The Red River Waterway Commission. The lucky thing for us is that, since it is managed at least in part by the Corps of Engineers, our fee for camping is 50% off because the Corps honors the America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. So, instead of $30 per night(which is a bit high for Corps campgrounds) we pay just $15 per night. And, the amenities:flat, level 65' long sites; full hookups-water,sewer,and 30 or 50 amp electric; plenty of space between sites; each site has a concrete picnic table on a concrete slab; a fire ring and a hibachi; lantern pole; the campground has bathrooms and  showers;the laundry is FREE; the WIFI  internet is FREE; campground is grassy and well-maintained; dump station; a recreation hall; great TV reception-able to watch ABC,CBS,NBC and FOX;

playground and boat launch on the Red River. It is beautiful here. It's quiet with  just 25 sites.

Calais, Maine

Well, its been a while since the last post.
Ardi and I are still Keenes Lake Family Campground in Calais, Maine. We have a had a fine summer here, working at the campground and enjoying meeting new people almost everyday.
The last few days, we have been preparing and organizing for our annual trip to a warmer climate.
We will be leaving in mid-October. So, we've been here since May25. Time to move along, folks. Getting restless!

Calais, Maine

Well, I recently went to the St Croix International Historic Site here in Calais. I've been here before, but I wanted to remind myself of the history behind this first settlement so long ago.
The French who came here obviously were not prepared for the severe cold weather in this part of the northeast. They were here for just one winter.
The island where they stayed is in the middle of the St Croix River and is not open to the public, but the statues and descriptive signage along the walking path at the historic site do a great job of showing what it must have been like to live here.
The rangers are informative and helpful.

Calais, Maine

Well, I went out for a bike ride on some of the roads/trails in this part of Maine.
It was a loop route which basically circled the campground. About 6 miles. The real Maine.
Does anyone see the seahorse?

Calais, Maine

        Well, Ardi's new sewing room is coming along nicely. Tomorrow Ardi is all set to paint it. Then the luan flooring, and vinyl flooring over that, and peg board over most of the walls, and it should be done! Hooray!
      Still quiet at Keenes Lake Family Campground. We did have our first day-swimmers!

       The sun was shining all day. And the temperature finally got above 70 degrees.
We were able to cook on the grille again. We enjoyed hot dogs, plus salad.

Life is really good.

Until next time.

Our cozy spot in the campground. Site #1.

Calais, Maine

    Here we are in Northern Maine. No TV reception. Hey, we don't even have a TV in our trailer. No problem!
     A sunny day here in Washington County. Not much activity in the campground. We do have a couple from South Carolina in a Class A who will be here for a few more days. The site next to ours is a couple who transferred here from Washington State. All the way from just about as far west in this country of ours to as far east as they could go.
     Dana went to Bangor and came back with flooring, pegboard and windows for Ardi's new shop. I believe we have just about all the material we need. Now the plan is to finish the room while Ardi is away in Weston, Maine on a quilt retreat with Leslie and our friend Dwina.
As promised, here are some photos of the new pirate ship.
Until next time,
Howard

                                               Captain Ardi

                                          Ardi steering the ship

                                          Here it is!

                                          No kids today. They are in school.

                                          Different ways to board the ship.

Calais, Maine

    Today's weather turned out much nicer than the original long-term forecast had predicted. The Maine sunshine was with us most of the day. So we got a lot of outside work done.
   I cleaned a mound of sand out of the new pirate ship in the playground area( pictures to follow). Seems the young ones can't resist throwing sand in through the portholes of the ship!
   We also got three loads of laundry done. Yippee! We are all caught up.
    Dana and  I worked on getting Ardi's new sewing room ready. We removed some lumber that had been stored away. So far her sewing table and a resin table are inside. Progress.
    Added a few items to the bonfire pile. Cant wait 'till Saturday.
    Ardi has been a big help in getting the campground store ready for the season. A new addition and many other changes for this year.
    Ardi continues to clean and personalize our new home. The Gulfstream is perfect for us this summer. It has one slide-out, which makes it so much easier to walk around than in the Minnie Winnie. And the walk-around bed: just what we needed. We can fall into the bed in the evening, and roll out in the morning. Perfect!
   I cooked gourmet sausages and kielbasa on the grill tonight.Yum!
   Life is good!
   Early to bed.

                                          Our summer residence.

                                                   One of the islands in the background.

                                         Campground store on the right.

                                         Our Gulfstrem Streamlite 26QBS.

                                          Bonfire pile looks ready.

                                          A new addition to the store.

                                                    Memorial Day. Remember those who gave all.