Thanks to COVID, EVERYBODY and his brother are out doing the same. Who'da thot every campground in the area would be full on a cold, blustery March weekend? I had Friday afternoon business in Sanford and the paddle club had planned a Saturday paddle on Crystal Lake, that place that ends in the lovely Tupelo swamp, so it had made sense to look nearby. The only place with an opening was a private campground, Freedom Farm. The paddle, thanks to the good sense of an aging paddle club, was cancelled due to cold, but that wasn't keeping campers home and I got the last spot in the area.
Freedom Farm, while listed on the Internet, is in fact, very private. They have no sign (get good directions before you go--there is no place easy to turn around when you miss it) and I am counting only 6 spots. Cash or Venmo. Full hookups but no picnic tables or fire pits or bath house. They do have a dog run. And bring your 30/50 adaptor if you have a 30a plug. That said, I am right off US 1 and have this lovely wooded view out my back window. I learned later that it is actually an equestrian center and the camp sites are mostly used by folks coming for workshops. With this information, it all made sense. I was just glad for a place to stay.
So far, we have verified that I am adequately packed with camp gear, I can still successfully back into a reasonably open campsite, everything mechanical works, and that the only failing part of this operation is my memory. Mustard, socks and dog dishes somehow missed the boat. Sigh.
Ben and Sydney arrived early afternoon. They live about 45 minutes from here and I'd promised them a
cookout in exchange for a visit. Sydney had never visited Southern Pines Reservoir Park, just a few miles away. We walked the greenway that circles the small lake, took in the deep woods and lake views, then headed back to camp for skirt steak, air fries, asparagus and peach pie. We have all entered some phase of the vaccination cycle (I have completed it) and to be together in an almost "normal" way made the afternoon even more special.
So I'm headed home tomorrow. Ben says the best price on propane is Tractor Supply. I'll stop by on the way home to top off (and pick up some dog dishes) and I am ready to roll. Let the season begin!
