Welcome To My October Campfire.

Welcome to my campfire. I'm glad you stopped by. Here you will find out not only about me and my Glamping Adventures, but other authors and their books. Starting on November 1st the format will be a bit different but I not to much and I'll be interviewing a wider group of people in not only the publishing world but camping and the world in general. Now without further yada yada pull up a chair, pour a beverage, let your worries and cares go for a few minutes. Oh, we haven't done this for a while so lets put our imagination cap on. No matter where you are, try to picture a campfire. Listen, do you hear the children laughing and giggling? Someone has the grill going and whatever it is smells amazing. A couple of sites over a fellow is playing guitar.  Are you there yet? Okay, here's a little help.

Camping in Lancaster is one of our favorites. This year we went full circle. In 1998 Pete, my son R.J., and I camped at the Mill Bridge Campground in Ronks, Pa. We returned 24 years in our 5th Wheel. It's a tiny camp tucked away in Lancaster County. Being so late in the fall (for camping anyway in the Mid-Atlantic) one of the hazards was the raining acorns and walnuts. When a stiff breeze blew, people ducked and covered. Sounds of them bouncing off of campers or crunching under tires was a new experience for us. Hali was enthralled by the horse and buggies when we took her out for rides.
Some antiquing at cackleberryfarmantiquemall.com/ scored me a couple of owlish decorations and vintage Christmas stuff for Pete. 
Breakfast at the Agape Café a particular treat. Don't tell Pete's doctor he had the stuffed French Toast. Check out the website at agapecafeandgrille.com/ followed by a train ride via the Strasberg Railroad was fun and relaxing. We met a wonderful family from Indiana who were camping nearby as well.  
The trip wouldn't have been complete without a trip to reallancastercounty.com/local-eats/local-pa-dutch/zooks-homemade-chicken-pies/  where we picked up some tasty treats and then off to reallancastercounty.com/shops/food-fresh-healthy-natural-organic-seasonal/local-dairies/lapp-valley-farm-dairy-ice-cream/
​We grabbed vanilla, coffee and some pumpkin pie ice cream. 
The Green Dragon Market is only open on Fridays. Now with retirement we were able to go. So much to see and taste. www.greendragonmarket.com/

One of my random thoughts is about Christmas. So many folks are worried about giving gifts with so much product stuck on a boat somewhere. I remember one of my son's friends many years ago was asked by the local newspaper what he remembered about his favorite Christmas. Guess what? It wasn't wrapped under the tree. His best memory was walking in the snow with his family. This was a twelve year old boy. Several years ago DH and I began a new tradition with our son, his wife and our grands. Instead of toys that break or clothes they grow out of we decided to give memories. Each year they receive a family gift of a camping gift card. So far they've been to Gettysburg, Texas and Tennessee. They don't have a camper yet so stay in the camp cabins. For birthday's they get complimentary gifts like a fishing pole or sleeping bag. As a family they now have the camping bug and will be buying a camper in the near future. Let me tell you the joy we get from the pictures they send or the phone calls about what fun they are having are priceless and could never come from a box. 
So, are you looking for a gift and wondering what to do? Look around you. What experience and memories can you give? Does she want a horse but lives in a city? How about looking for a nearby stable that offers lessons. Does he like trains? Is there a train station that offers scenic tours? 
Stuff gets old and broken. Clothes get torn and grown out of. Memories last forever.
Tell me about one of your favorite memories or experiences you've gifted someone.

Joy has something very pure and innocent about it. It is a feeling that reminds us of the innocence of childhood and all its endless pleasures. A pure mind, open to the charm of the world, can find joy everywhere. ~ author unknown
Until next week happy camping.