A Pretty Boring Trip Report

[stefa70]

Okay, here goes nothing! If there is one thing I've learned from reading these boards over the years, it's how fortunate I am to live so close to the greatest camping place on earth. I guess I've always taken for granted that we could jump in the truck and be there within an hour or so. The idea of a trip report seemed so boring to me (for anyone reading) since my whole idea of going to the fort is to relax!! I don't have TCD's snooping skills, my son is 20 years old, so no "cute" pictures, we let our passes expire last year to take a break from the parks, and my family pictures would not interest strangers! But I realize now that people just want to be a part of the fort, even if it's through photos. I enjoy everyone else's trip reports, yet I am lucky enough to live it 4 or 5 times a year! So without further ado..........here is a look into my boring, yet wonderfully relaxing 6 days at the fort!

Just so you know who to blame for wasting about an hour of your time, here I am with my future daughter in law at Rainforest Cafe. I (Stef) am the old lady on the left, the cute blonde is Amanda.

Our last trip to the fort was the week of Labor Day, and within a month, I was getting "the itch" NO......not THAT kind of itch! But the "Fort itch." I would have loved to get there for Halloween to meet some fiends, but of course that wasn't an option with such short notice. So I tried to think of another excuse of why we HAD to go. Well hubby's (Trevor) b-day is Nov 9th, so guess what he was getting for his b-day....

The only was I could work the system was to book Wed the 10th thru Tues the 16th, thinking I would cancel the last two days as we normally come home on Sun. When Trevor found out what I had "bought him for his b-day" He said "WTH, we might as well stay until Tues, work will have slowed down and we're already booked!"

Wednesday morning, I went grocery shopping, and we loaded up.

I also found (Walmart) a toaster/convection oven by Oster that fits a 9x13 pan, so I bought that with us. I never use the oven in the rv as it gets to darn hot in there, yet I love to cook. It turned out to be a great idea, which I will share later.

So Trevor and I headed out, my son (Nathen) and GF (Amanda) would be meeting us later that evening. We got to the fort around 1:00pm and checked in. I hadn't requested a loop, other than "pet" (for Mason, who you will see a lot of) and close to comfort station. My son's friend (Jordan) would be joining us on Thursday night for his first visit to the fort. He is leaving in the Army in February so I wanted him to experience it before he left. So we get checked in and find we're in the 700 loop. WHAT??? There are no comfort stations in the 700 loop without going across the main road, which I felt would be dangerous for me and all others if I had too many cocktails and "broke the seal" If ya know what I mean.......

So we asked for 500's (which we stayed in Labor Day) and got.....

From the front:

From the main road:

While setting up, I found my tablecloth (ya know, the cheap, plastic, red checked tablecloths we all have) must have had something spilled on it and looked gross! So, I bit the bullet and asked Trevor to run to the trading post and buy a new one! Yeah, I knew it was going to be over priced, but how bad could it be?!?!?! $10.95!!!! Oh well, as I said, I love to cook and I didn't want to do it on a yucky tablecloth!!

After getting all set up, we went for a golf cart ride to check things out. The fort was pretty full, altho I only saw one set of green ears (momof6) but no one was at her site. So back to 554 for BLT's on toasted cheese bread with red bliss potato salad. Sorry no food pics Dave, I will do better next time!

Nathen and Amanda arrived safely that evening, but I was already snuggled down in bed watching Survivor.

If anyone is still interested, Day 2 is coming up soon!

 

[MadFF]

I'm interested!

 

[Charitycase20]

Me too!!

 

[liv luvs disney]

So glad you came to your senses and decided to do a TR!!

 

[stefa70]

So if there is one other love of my life (besides the fort) it's Jimmie Johnson, as you probably noticed by my 3 championship flags hanging on the rv. I hope to have a "5 time champ" by Sunday evening (for all fellow NASCAR fans....don't be hatin! )
While setting up on Wednesday a gentleman came by and said "Jimmie WHO???" Yeah, he was trying to be funny, and since we had just arrived I had on my happy face and didn't give him the reply I would have, under other circumstances! He was a Denny Hamlin fan (who was in the points lead by 33 points at that time)
So every time he passed by, he asked the same "Jimmie WHO?" So I came up with a plan...........Thursday morning I went back to the trading post and spent $7.00 on a pack of crayons (yeah, it was SOOO worth it) cut up a cardboard box and made a sign that had a big number 48 on it, wrote "5 time champ 2010" and made a big number 11 (Hamlin's number) with a big red x thru it! It turned out quite well, if I do say so myself. I had the boys do some reconnaissance to find out if that man was at his site, and when they gave me the clear, I was off on a mission!

I had the cardboard sign stuffed in my sweatshirt while I casually walked the dog.
When we got to his site, I quickly decorated his truck (so quick that Amanda didn't have time to let the camera focus!LOL!

We laughed about it all day and checked periodically to see if it was still there. That evening Trevor walked by his site, and they were all laughing saying we definately "one-upped" him! He kept the sign on there all day, and took it with him when they checked out. So i got the last laugh!!

We spent Thursday looping and waiting for Jordan to arrive. I did find the infamous Larry at his site, but was scared to even look his way, as he would probably have thought that I was up to something. From what I gather he is NOT a happy camper!!

Here are some looping photos for your enjoyment:

These were on the corner of the 100 loop

The famous Hilda's site:

I took this picture only to send to my father (in upstate NY) as he always wanted a GMC motorhome, and finally got one last year. You don't see many of them around anymore, and we weren't even sure anyone was in this one until the last day we were there.

And here is my Dad's 1974 GMC Eleganza....... classic!

We played a few games of corn hole while waiting for Jordan....yes on my Jimmie Johnson corn hole boards!

I cooked some kielbasa in the crockpot with grape jelly & chili sauce, served it over rice with some hawaiian rolls. Jordan arrived around 9:30 pm and the kids took him around to show him what sights they could, in the dark, and I went to bed!! My mother owns a health club that I open every morning at 4:00 am so I am a wimp after 9-ish!

 

[fort4evr]

Love your trip report so far!!

 

[stefa70]

I'm interested!

Me too!!

So glad you came to your senses and decided to do a TR!!

Love your trip report so far!!

Thanks guys!! My first trip report ever, glad you are enjoying! More mundane, goofy reports to come..............

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

Loving your trip report so far!

 

[Lil' Lisa]

Not boring at ALL!!! Lovin' it!

 

[tramjaw]

great report can't wait to read more

 

[ftwildernessrick]

Love the report!

"I cooked some kielbasa in the crockpot with grape jelly & chili sauce, served it over rice with some hawaiian rolls."

OK, that sounds different. I'll try anything once. What does the end product taste like?

 

[stefa70]

So Friday morning, I actually slept until 6:30! It was nice to have extra sleep as this evening all 5 of us were going to MVMCP! Believe it or not, I had never been. Being passholders, It chafed my butt to pay extra for the "party." We lounged around drinking coffee, waiting for the sun to warm up to go out and about. The weather was beautiful while we were there, but mornings and evenings were around 60 degrees, which made for a "nipply" golf cart ride!

The kids ventured out and Jordan bought his first souvenir:

I threw a pork loin in the crockpot for pulled pork sandwiches, and made some coleslaw. My idea was to have a late lunch/early dinner so I could get the good stuff at MK! By good, I mean, funnel cakes, pretzels......

We played around the site:

Amanda eating a cheese sandwich, yes, that's a piece of cheese on bread! There are about 10 things that she will eat, which makes for difficult menu choices!! But we love her!

Saw two deer up by the 2000 loop:

That afternoon, we took the cart down to the tavern. Yes, we paid $19.00 for a bloody mary and a magical star drink! All because Amanda wanted the light up ice cube that came in it! (We later found a package of 2 light up cubes at the meadow trading post for $6.95)
On our way to the tavern, we took the little cut through path in the back of the 100 loop. Behind a beautifully decorated site, I saw an equally beautiful man standing there!!! I do read a lot of what I like to call "trash rags" (Enquirer, Star...) But I couldn't figure out where I had seen that smile before...........People's sexiest man alive, maybe?!?!? He also had his own personal golf cart, with a big musket mickey on the windshield (good looks, & good taste) It took me about a half hour before I realized that it was the Dis boards very own "stacktester." I raced back to that area hoping that I could meet him in person, possibly get a picture, but he was GONE!
Okay, maybe I am embellishing a bit, I did go back by there only because I wasn't sure if that was him, and needed a better look. He was nowhere to be found! I actually had to PM him when I got home to be sure it was him! Very bummed out that I missed the opportunity to meet a celeb, but now I know!

When I come back, off to MVMCP!

 

[stefa70]

Love the report!

"I cooked some kielbasa in the crockpot with grape jelly & chili sauce, served it over rice with some hawaiian rolls."

OK, that sounds different. I'll try anything once. What does the end product taste like?

It was actually good! I use the same jelly and chili sauce mix with meatballs, or little smokies, this was the first time using kielbasa. It makes like a sweet and sour sauce and made the kielbasa very tender!!!

 

[caveat lector]

Digging the pics. Looks like it's a wonderful time/season to be a the FORT.

No hatin' on JJ. When you win that much, it demands respect. However, being a Missouri boy, I always pull for Edwards, McMurray, or one of the Wallace boys.

 

[dblr]

Don't kid yourself this is a great trip report with even better pictures, can not wait to see more.:

 

[MadFF]

It was actually good! I use the same jelly and chili sauce mix with meatballs, or little smokies, this was the first time using kielbasa. It makes like a sweet and sour sauce and made the kielbasa very tender!!!

Is that a "southern thing"? There was a guy in my fire department who made meatballs with grape jelly mixed in. He was originally from New Mexico. They tasted fine, I didn't really notice any difference from "regular" meatballs.

 

[anolefan]

1. There is no such thing as a boring TR!

2. You are doing great.

3. Do you like Jimmie Johnson?

4.

 

[Miss Peach]

I am loving this report, and I LOVE your rig!!!

Cathy

 

[LORNADUCK]

Great TR, love your sense of humor. After reading this I am convinced that you have to join us next Halloween, we could use your help. :banana

Or July 4th for that matter. Tom and Shan would love to meet you.

 

[stacktester]

I was enjoying the TR until I saw the 48 Cornhole Game. Let me know when you're coming back and when it will be displayed. I can finish it off let's say.