Where’s Pluto?

[WeLovePluto]

What the heck...

We ended up with 3 trips in the next few weeks, so time to start a thread.

First stop is a last minute decision to visit kids‘ friends on the MS coast. We didn’t have any luck getting into the state park, so tried casino campgrounds and that didn’t work either.

the last place on my list was Bay St Louis RV park, and they had availability so we grabbed a site. Recent reviews ranged from ‘cute campground’ to ‘drove right out and wouldn’t stay’. But it’s only 2 nights, and we’re in our camper and it’s a short drive (1 hour, plus the extra driving around because google maps didn’t like the address)

we got pulled in and set up early afternoon yesterday. looks like many of the people are long term. there’s a swingset, seesaw, and a pool (The pool is an unnatural shade of green). There’s also a pond that we can fish in, not sure if we’re gonna try that or not. Looks too easy for DD1 to jump in.

after setting up, we drove 15 minutes to the beach to meet up with the friends and give the kids a few hours on the beach.

campsite:



pool (note: that’s the actual color, not a camera effect. I don’t know if it had just been treated or something)

 

[4077]

What the heck...

We ended up with 3 trips in the next few weeks, so time to start a thread.

First stop is a last minute decision to visit kids‘ friends on the MS coast. We didn’t have any luck getting into the state park, so tried casino campgrounds and that didn’t work either.

the last place on my list was Bay St Louis RV park, and they had availability so we grabbed a site. Recent reviews ranged from ‘cute campground’ to ‘drove right out and wouldn’t stay’. But it’s only 2 nights, and we’re in our camper and it’s a short drive (1 hour, plus the extra driving around because google maps didn’t like the address)

we got pulled in and set up early afternoon yesterday. looks like many of the people are long term. there’s a swingset, seesaw, and a pool (The pool is an unnatural shade of green). There’s also a pond that we can fish in, not sure if we’re gonna try that or not. Looks too easy for DD1 to jump in.

after setting up, we drove 15 minutes to the beach to meet up with the friends and give the kids a few hours on the beach.

campsite:

View attachment 524279

pool (note: that’s the actual color, not a camera effect. I don’t know if it had just been treated or something)

View attachment 524280

Looks like it’ll be tough to find a poolside seat

 

[tiggerdad]

Pool got a slight algea bloom going on.

Probably good fishing though.

 

[WeLovePluto]

Due to the short timeframe, we didn’t make a packing list like normal. That’s a necessity from here on out. Some things we forgot:
Pluto (seriously, we have about 9 of him. Somehow this hasn’t caused a melt down)
Puddle jumpers
Salt and pepper
Butter
Today’s dinner (technically, I brought dinner, but had a mix up and grabbed the wrong package from our meal prep choices. The one I did grab was not camper kitchen friendly.)

After returning from the beach last night, we ordered dinner from the Mexican restaurant in front of the campground. 2 orders of fajitas and an order of nachos for 4 of us. We could have gotten by with 1 order. due to portion size, but that worked out well as it fed us all again tonight.

the kids played on the playground while we waited and had fun doing so.

woke up this morning, got the black stone set up and made bacon, pancakes, and eggs. This is when we figured out we forgot salt and pepper and butter. I’m getting better with the griddle, but I can’t get the over easy eggs off without puncturing the yolk. May need to swap to a plastic spatula and try that next time.

We headed back to meet the friends at the beach and spent most of the day out there. Weather was awesome. Water is nice and shallow so the kids can’t get in too much trouble. Beaches are nicer than when I was a kid.

Came back to the camper. Realized the dinner snafu, so had the leftovers.

DD2 convinced me to take her fishing at the pond before it got dark. Using our proven Spider-Man pole/balled up bread combo, we got a few bites and caught a perch (I think). Then she made a cast and hooked up with something that was not meant for a Spider-Man fishing pole. She got it to the bank, but the reel couldn’t lift it.

This is taken when we were having a standoff. it was hissing at me (I didn’t know they did that)...I was trying to figure out how I was going to get it on land and get the hook out. The line ended up popping, bailing me out.

 

[bama_ed]

I'm counting on a biblical miracle with that fish in the last photo, Pluto.

Cut it up, cook it, put in in a basket, and it should multiply and feed ....

.... two of you ......

Honestly, I am the WORLD'S worst fisherman but you got 'em out there and that may start an interest in the outdoors. (and no hissing allowed in this trip report thread)!

Continue, please.

Bama Ed

PS - I'm a hiker/walker/backpacker. You wet ones (fishermen) won't get a whole lot of sympathy from me. Oh, and throw back any nutria ....

 

[WeLovePluto]

We woke up Labor Day and got camp mostly cleaned up. Then chatted with the owner, he allowed us to keep the camper parked a couple hours past check out to go visit some other family friends where the kids got a pool.

The campground pool looked much better too.

DD2 wanted to do some more fishing so we went to the pond. We caught another turtle. So then we gave up and decided to feed the turtles instead.



Overall it was a good trip. Campground was a little pricey for what it was, but acceptable. And since the owner let me stay late, that helps offset it some.

We passed by Buccaneer state park on the way out. The sites we could see were certainly not full, so don’t know what was going on there. We’re gonna plan that next time we go to the area.

 

[WeLovePluto]

As mentioned in the other thread, we drove from New Orleans to Tuscaloosa today and are spending the night here to continue on to Talladega for the NASCAR race on Sunday.

They decided that we needed to be at the track at 8AM tomorrow to get into the campsite. That would have required about a 1AM departure.

We got to meet Ed and hang out for a while. We’ll get some rest and head out early tomorrow. It will be nice to get to the track several hours earlier than normal and should feel like a whole extra day of vacation.

The weather should be fantastic. We have lots of beer and firewood. And hopefully the tv will pick up some college football Saturday. Either via antenna or hot spot.

 

[WeLovePluto]

We have arrived and set up. Based on the looks of things, 8am was more of a suggestion than a requirement.

 

[Teamubr]

Nice!

j

 

[bama_ed]

Pluto, since you arrived so early today I hope you got to pick out the specific campsite you wanted?

Ed

 

[WeLovePluto]

They’re assigned. And we’re in a new campground because the spots we usually stay in are closed.

we did re-arrange a bit to better hang out with our friends from Tennessee. They’re Vandy fans, so we have that in common tomorrow too

it’s really quiet around here. We walked around but couldn’t find a way to the front of the track today. Too many locked gates and there wasn’t going to be much going on.

Getting some campfire time tonight.

 

[WeLovePluto]

For breakfast...venison sausage, bacon, and egg burritos on the wok




then the entertaining part of the morning. DW said she left the water heater on to brush my teeth with hot water. Everyone looked at her funny. So I had to teach her that that was odd. She didn’t believe me or our other 2 campers. So then:

DW to Tennessee Neighbor: “Do you use hot or cold water to brush your teeth?”

TN: “I don’t have any teeth”

 

[Teamubr]

I never thought of a wok on charcoal. Neat ide. Have fun at the races.

NHRA is in StL this weekend, but I was supposed to be at WDW this weekend instead of arriving next Thursday. We did just spend 5 days in Indy for the US Nationals. It is cold (50s) and raining today anyway.

Lots of good times at 'Dega though.

j

 

[WeLovePluto]

The wok was a gift from a group from Texas. Made out of old plow wheels I believe.

There was no way into the track, but we did walk around to the vendor area. It was quite sad. There’s 2 haulers hidden in this picture.

back to college football for a while now and maybe watching the xfinity race on tv.

 

[Part-Time Paradise]

Nice. I'm eyeing the new schedule for some tracks to hit next year.

 

[WeLovePluto]

Dinner tonight was ribs on the griddle for the first time. Rubbed them with an applewood seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let them sear for a couple minutes per side, then added some bbq sauce, wrapped in foil and let cool ok low for a while.

they came out tender, but Didn’t pick up enough flavor. I’ll have to try to marinate next time maybe. For a first attempt, it was passable. They were edible at least.



watching football by the campfire. It’s really quiet, aside from the cars at the short track.

 

[WeLovePluto]

Nice. I'm eyeing the new schedule for some tracks to hit next year.

we’ll be at both Talladega races. Doubt we’ll try to get any others in next year since we’re going to the fort too.

 

[WeLovePluto]

The race was one of the most entertaining we’ve seen in the years we’ve been going. Of course, that meant lots of cautions and wrecks and a really long race.

Pre-race:


Coming to green:


Victory Lane:

 

[WeLovePluto]

The drive home went well. Much easier than the drive up without all the fire wood and beverages adding weight.

We’d planned to have a weekend trip with the kids this weekend, but that’s off due to delta. We may be making alternate plans depending on the next few hours.

 

[Teamubr]

Glad it was a good race. Stay safe with the storm.

j