08/18 to 08/25 - Normandy Farms

NORMANDY FARMS CAMPGROUND
SATURDAY - SUNDAY 

In reality, 5½ hours, 227 miles

The black arrow above is me

Level, clean and spacious. Site B-11, my home for the week.

Well, I got outta Dodge (CPP) just in time. The four screaming kids across from my site (all girls under 7 in an apparent screaming contest) were beginning to get to me. Their site would fittingly fall into the category of "trailer trash" and it looks as though they're there for the long term. No, you can't attribute my observations to being the "oldest kid on the block." I'll be returning to a nearby site September 1st, so I'll see if anything has changed; doubt it but it is what it is.

 My Saturday, 227 mile trip, took 5½ hours which included a lunch break at a Red Robin, a first for me. What a great menu…and a far cry from Burger King or McDonalds. It was a great day to travel. Trucks were at a minimum but construction barriers and lane closures in CT and parts of MA killed at least forty five minutes. Then there were the occasional torrential downpours that greatly reduced speed and visibility. When you see a lightning strike and the clap of thunder that follows at the same time, you know you’re in the thick of things. Driving on six rubber tires was comforting.

Normandy Farms is a very impressive campground that has everything for everybody. Even dogs have been considered and catered to. The campground itself is huge and the amenities for families with kids are extensive. Bikes are a must to navigate the extensive layout. I'm on a corner site with a row of short cedars blocking me from a main thoroughfare. Kids on bikes and scooters and dogs being walked provide a never ending parade of activity. It seems, as usual, every camper has at least one dog, many have two, some three. Some are old, docile and quiet and could care less about what was going on around them (my favorites). Others fall into the small,  “yapper” category that gives both pets and their owners a bad name. Sunday morning provided a parade of RV’s ending their stay and on their way to line up for their turn at the dump station up the street. This was followed by the folks checking in after 3 pm. So gratifying to see the number of families with young kids enjoying the RV life even if it's their all-too-short vacation.

I'm here with the Hudson Islander RV group who had their “meet and greet” at the host trailer of Carol and John last night. My contribution was shrimp shumai. My good friend Tony, at Sakura in Hastings, gave me a couple of packages to take on my trip. I decided to share them. Along with mustard to dip, they were well received. In attendance this week besides me are Roberta, Johnny, Ray & Kathy, Ray (Happy Birthday) & Sue, Tony & Doreen (Happy Anniversary) , Jack & Noreen and John & Carol. And, as always, the fire to end the evening was most comfortable as the temps began to dip down into the high 60’s.

Some shots taken by Roberta as the girls took a walk.

Sue, Doreen, Chrissy, Kathy

At Tony and Doreen's site a little more shade was needed for the afternoon sun. 

Some of the older members required
hydration....

...and rest.

Then Ray & Sue's BBQ chicken and salads were shared.

L. to R. Ray (Happy Birthday today), Tony, Sue and Doreen
(Happy Anniversary Tony & Doreen today)

Ray's caregiver, Kathy

Visitors for the day, Mike and Chrissy