In The Wilds Of Stoneville − 22 March, 2008
The sun is shining, the birds are singing and I am freezing - morning springs anew at Dan River Campground in Stoneville, NC. Definitely a place for getting away from it all. The owner even gave me a slight admonishment to keep the speed down in the campground (I was running 15 and the speed limit is 10). Believe me, if you get caught speeding in a VW bus, you have really done something special.
Numerous 5th wheels, motorhomes and the like await their owners to return once spring settles in for good. While there are a few hardy souls spending at least a portion of Easter weekend here, it is mostly deserted. I decided to make this trip as something of a shakedown for Ganesh; considering that at some point I want to take the Big Blue Bus for an extended roadtrip. So far, so good.
The fridge has kept things nice and cold. The sleeping arrangements were quite satifactory and the engine has been running strong. I haven't dared to fire up the propane stove, yet; preferring to wait until the prospect of forest fires due to exploding microbuses has ebbed a bit.
The neighbors are mostly retired boomers by the looks of things. Most everyone has kept to themselves; at most offering a wave and a "Hello!" while walking down the gravel drives. The gentleman next door, however, will get points for the "Weird Guy Of The Year" competition. I mulled over his rituals while carving into a campfired steak and turning pages in "The Wishing Well"; a Doctor Who novel (what else?) When he arrived last night, he sat in his truck for the better part of a half an hour before trading the comforts of the front seat for his proper lodgings. Later on, he returned to his truck and repeated the ceremony before driving the 300 feet to the bathhouse. Once there, he, you guessed it, waited about 15 minutes, then went inside. Once he took care of business, there was another round of front seat meditation before driving back to his trailer.
I could understand an elderly gentleman not feeling up to making the trek to shake the dew off of the lilly, but this guy looks to be my age. Guess he just likes going out into the wilds of Stoneville to partake of his rich, Corinthian leather.
