Got up early with the alarm this morning, to insure we got the site and stalls we wanted, pulling in the slides and getting the stabilizers up shortly before the convoy left. We go the horses moved over as soon as the previous tenants finished sanding them, then quickly slid over into one of the waiting sites. After an hour, we had everything set up again, and after breakfast I returned to the other site and cleaned it to perfection, even spreading pine needles throughout to give it that “leave no trace” appearance. A nice job of set dressing, if I may say so myself! We felt much better having done that, the tension that had been present all week was lifted (despite my agreement with the ranger, a couple of busybodies in the campground felt it necessary to harass us with their disapproval, so it has not been the most relaxing time). Now there’s no reason for tension, and we relaxed accordingly. Looking forward to my birthday ride tomorrow!

Earlier this week, I had a long conversation with the ranger about our highline situation, and because the camp was busier than we’ve ever seen it, he agreed (albeit reluctantly) to let us stay where we were, provided we moved over as soon as stalls became available. By the end of the today, I discovered that three trailers, all in a row across from us, would be heading out first thing tomorrow morning, so we made plans to move over as soon as they did. Meanwhile, we stayed in camp to rest today, knowing the trails would be filled with people, and we rather like it when it’s a bit quieter out there.

Despite my exhaustion last night, I had a hard time getting to sleep, and I woke up a couple of times during the night. By the time I got up, though, it was almost nine, so I flew out to put the generator on, because one hour was not going to be enough to charge the batteries. I was planning on doing laundry here, but with me not able to use the generator before 4:00 (really?), and with the forecast saying rain this afternoon, I figured it probably won’t be today. Sure enough, rain came in late in the afternoon. We put out every bucket we had, plus the rain barrels, as we’re a long way from any water spigots, and I’d rather not carry water any farther than I have to. They all managed to get filled up during the storm, thank goodness. Spent most of the day just reading before settling down for the evening.

I woke up almost an hour before the alarm, so I got up and started to do some prep work. Once Hubby got up, we had breakfast and started moving. I had to take a side trip back to the cottage to relieve them of any leftovers they didn’t want to take, and to say good-bye. Got back and started packing in earnest, but we had put up a portable fence that needed to be taken down, plus we still had vehicles to hook up, and general packing to do, so just as we were getting ready to pull out, my brothers left just ahead of us. Finally got on our way around 10:30, only stopping for fuel, Walmart and Tractor Supply. Arrived at the campground around 2:00, but discovered everywhere we usually park was full. While I was at the dump station, and then to the only spigot that has a hose hookup available (which, stupidly, requires you to block the road for the duration of your fillup) Hubby circled all three loops, and the only one he thought posible was a spot that someone was “saving” for someone else, though technically that’s not allowed. But who wants to start an argument with a new neighbor? Anyway, we finally settled on what I think is an ADA site (we have a placard for Hubby), tucked in the woods at the mouth of the entrance, and after we agreed to it, Hubby realized it might just be good for a satellite signal anyway, once he mustered the energy. We were as far from the stalls as we could get, and they all appeared to be full, so we decided to highline the horses behind us in the woods. We were working in first gear, barely able to move we were so tired, so we took our time, one slow step at a time. Eventually we got everything out, but a camper came by and told us that they probably wouldn’t allow us to keep our horses highlined, at least not at night, and the best thing to do was just tell the ranger that they would only be there during the day in order to be close by for riding. Can’t understand why they would care about high lines, they’re the safest method for containing a horse there is! So much more freedom for the horse! Anyway, we settled in for the evening, finally putting the generator on just after seven. Then, just after eight, a woman came to the door to inform us that there was a new rule saying generators can’t be run past 8:00 at night, even though quiet time didn’t start until 10! I never heard that one before! We had hardly started charging our batteries, so I don’t know how long they will last, and frankly, I still heard other generators going on in other loops, so I’m not sure what the big deal is. Anyway, I waited about 10 more minutes before shutting it off, then I got a copy of the rules and learned that generators are only supposed to operate from 8-10 am and 4-8 pm. That’s going to make it hard for me to get my laundry done! I’ve never felt such tension in this place before, these rules and the ranger that enforces them are really making this a much less pleasant place to visit, I’m sorry to say. If they harass us too much, we may have to choose an alternative. I’m a believer that rules should be common sense, and should be left to the people who are inhabiting the campground to decide. If everyone’s dogs get along, then why do we need to keep them leashed every minute of the day? If there’s no one in camp because they’re all out riding, why can’t I run a generator? If horses prefer to be on a highline, then why do they all have to be in stalls? I should also point out that the ADA site is the site FARTHEST from the bathhouse, FARTHEST from the stalls, FARTHEST from the mounting ramp, FARTHEST from the manure pile, in fact, FARTHEST from every amenity, which, I believe, is actually a violation of the ADA to begin with. But let’s not get picky with the rules, shall we?

Slept late after the late night last night, so we didn’t get the ride in that brother Jeff wanted to go on, which we postponed until tomorrow. Headed out around noon to meet the cousins at Barry’s Old School and had a delightful lunch with them, as well as daughters and granddaughters. After several hours, they left and we hung around another hour before heading out to Proiretti’s Italian restaurant just a mile or so away, where my brothers had arranged for some old friends to meet us. We enjoyed visiting for another couple of hours before heading back to Sodus, stopping at Wegmans to pick up a birthday cake for brother Jeff for tomorrow.

Finally had a day with the family, sort of, though a number of friends of my brothers were also invited. We grilled white hots and sausages, I went kayaking all the way out the inlet and back again, got Lola swimming a bit, had a meal, and ended up playing Euchre, winning two out of three with friend Pat as my partner. Shut it down around midnight, tired from the long day.

Thought we would be spending the day with the family, but at the last minute, Jeff decided to take our niece and his friends over to Niagara Falls, as they had never been. This would allow him to pickup our final brother at the airport after his flight arrives at 11:00 tonight on their way back. This gave us another day to rest and relax, which suits us just fine!

Had to set the alarm for early this morning, as we had an appointment at Ferrel’s garage to get the air condition on the van done. Apparently when they did the body work in Tennessee, they didn’t tighten down a bent transmission cooler, and it’s been banging on the new air condenser for the last few months, until it finally punched a hole in it. We took both vehicles so that we could do some running around while the van was being fixed, and we were fortunate that the weather had cleared up so the hay wouldn’t get wet. After dropping off the van we headed out to IHOP for breakfast, then Walmart to do some shopping, then we decided to head out to the place we’re planning on having lunch with a couple of our cousins on Friday, Barry’s Old School Irish Pub in downtown Webster. Turned out to be quite a nice place, with some outdoor seating, though a bit crowded on the inside, but lot of great Irish beer on tap, which I know will make my brothers happy. Just had a beer there while looking at the menu, and confirmed with the owner that we would be coming on Friday. Headed back to the shop just as they were working up the bill, got that paid and headed back to Sodus, just as my brother and his friends was leaving to go somewhere, so no family get together tonight!

As we approach our family reunion week, the kin are assembling. Brother Glenn decided to come up in his motor home with his daughter, and take in the big Watkins Glen Race this weekend. They arrived last night, so today we decided to have lunch down at Matt’s Place, because the traffic in town was bound to be bad. In fact, he had taken a trip into town to shop and discovered just how bad it was. Anyway, they met us there and we had a nice lunch together before they headed back to the race and we headed back to camp. We had planned on riding today, but of course that changed with the lunch plans, so we just hung around the rest of the day, doing a bit of laundry before settling down for the night.