Saturday July 27, 2013

We are really enjoying this wonderful weather here in Michigan. It has been as low as 52 degrees and never reached 80 during the day. We talk to our friends in Florida and it is the normal hot and muggy there. Waldenwoods is a wonderful Resorts of Distinction Park and we are certainly enjoying the services they offer here. Could not ask for a more friendly or helpful staff. We met three of the work kampers who stay here during the camping season and they have all been very friendly.

Last evening we were watching the campers come in for their stay. When we arrived there were lots of free sites and now they are nearly all taken. One new travel trailer (still had the sold sign in the window) was turning to look for a site and his wheels froze on the camper. I went out to see if I could help and found that when he was making his turn that his cable from the truck to the camper was  pinched and shorting out his brakes. We cut the cable off and he was then able to find a site. I told him I could splice the cable but he said he had roadside assistance and that they would take care of it. I am not sure that that falls under roadside assistance but told him if I could be of any further help to let me know. His wife was kind of anxious but I assured her that all the campers here would help in any way possible.


There are daily activities here at the park. Last night there was a hay ride for the youth and there were so many wanting to take the ride they had to have extra runs. Every Thursday they have a fish and chicken dinner that was really good. Ate too much so won't do that again next Thursday. They have a really large lake that is excellent for fishing and one can rent boats of all types. There is a nice beach for swimming and they have some water slides for the kids to enjoy.

The park is located close to the highway (23) but far enough away that it is very quiet. There is a walmart only 1.9 miles away and many restaurants and business within 2 miles. Just wish that the time did not fly by so fast.

Below are a few pictures.

dinning room

adult lodge

our site

beach area by lodge

Wednesday July 24, 2013

Our time in Ohio at the "Lutz Family Reunion" was outstanding as usual. My sister Pat, has been hosting these reunions for over 30 years. This year we had 123 in attendance  and there were five new babies added to the clan for this years reunion. What a wonderful blessing.

The weather was very cooperative as when it rained it was before or after our scheduled activities. The showers did cool the temperature down for the contests that were held (fishing contest, hayride, cornhole and the fireworks).

In addition to all the visiting and family activities, my sister Linda and her husband Richard, took us to the Amish Country west of Minerva for a day at Mt. Hope and Mt. Eaton. It was a great day as we visited a very large Amish flea market where they had not only the normal flea market items, but also every kind of animal and all things pertaining to Amish carriages. We also visited an Amish store where they sold their canned items and home made candies. They had samples of their wares  and that resulted in us buying everything for which they had samples. All delicious. I am sure it is too good to add to your weight.

Our trip from Ohio to our new home for 2 weeks was a very nice drive. It was cloudy but cool and the rain held until after we were nearly set up here in Waldenwoods, a Resort of Distinction resort here in Michigan. The park is not full and that is unusual for this time of year.  I talked to one of the work campers here and he said it was really packed over the 4th.

My three wonderful sisters

In a carriage at Mt. Hope

my 88 year old big brother

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Supposed to get hot today. It is up to 82 at 1:14 pm. It is dry so that is good and we have great air so all is good.

Went down to the Sunday services at the Chapel on the Hill. It was a great service and the place was really nice. The preacher's wife (an ordained preacher herself), on the closing hymn, did sign language on Amazing Grace and this was very moving. This was, in my opinion, the highlight of the service. She reminded me very much of my sister Linda as you could feel her spirituality. We went down with our next door neighbors and had breakfast together before the services. The more you learn about this resort the better it is.

On the way back to our hill top site, I took some pictures of a couple of the activities available here. As I said, the more you see the more there is to see here at Rocky Fork Ranch Resort Kimbolton, Ohio.If you are ever in this area I am sure you will agree that it is worth the time and effort to visit. You will not run out of things to do.

Breakfast at club house

Chapel on the Hill

Inside the Church

The Amptheatre

The rodeo and miniature golf area

Friday July 12, 2013

Good trip from Forest Lake Thousand Trails in North Carolina to our Resorts Of Distinction Rocky Fork Ranch Resort here in Ohio. This is a real secluded park in the hills of north central Ohio. The road in was not an easy drive and Linda has already ruled out a return visit to this park. I think it is a wonderful resort for outdoor activities like canoeing, horseback riding and activities  for the kids like an animal farm,  archery, basketball, golf and other activities like swimming and rifle range. The park offers chapel services on Sunday and breakfast  on Saturday and Sunday at very good prices. A very quiet and secluded park. I am certain we will not hear any interstate traffic or any train whistles. I drove around the park and where there are S/W/E service there is no satellite service. I can not even get the Satellite radio. I have an external DirecTV antenna that has over 100 foot of cable and there is still no way to find an opening in the forest to get Direct TV. That, along with getting here, are the only two negatives to the park. The staff are as nice and friendly as you could possibly ask for and the rv sites are beautiful.

It is very cool here and has not rained today. Last night in Ripley, WV it was 56 degrees and I expect it to be the same here tonight. We are way on top of a hill here and our neighbor told us it had rained for 18 days and they were flooded here. Being on a hill it doesn't seem possible. We will only be here for 5 days as we have to get on up to Minerva for the family reunion.

Below are a few pictures and maps of the park. I will take more pictures to have in my next blog. This is an eight hundred acre park.

our site T4

one of the lodges at the park

surrounded by trees 

pick out the sites

we are in the lower left Purple 

sorry but it is upside down

July 3rd

Wednesday July 3, 2013

Year is half over and moving fast. We are still at Forest Lake Thousand Trails in North Carolina. It has been a very wet week. Rain every night and wet all day long, with some heavy rain thrown in.

We went to the Farmers Market yesterday (in the rain) and got some excellent fruit and vegetables, especially the peaches and beans.

We have all our reservations at our Thousand Trails and Resorts of Distinction parks through the Good Sam Rally in Atlanta in Oct. This will be one of our shorter summer trips - under 5 thousand miles and all east of the Mississippi River. Except for the rain, the trip has been most excellent to date. Out roaming the countryside we have been really happy to see the crops looking so good. Remember last year when the crops were all stunted from the drought.

When I was BBQing some ribs I noticed a black snake skin in our camp. It was very new and was a big guy. We think it was about 5 foot. He must have been in the act of shedding his skin while I was getting the grill ready. The skin was very pliable and did not break when I placed it on the bench for the picture.

New snake skin at our lot

Snake skin on our bench

Our ribs - Linda said they were good