Lake Arbuckle , Frostproof, Fl                                                     January 2007        

Our January campout certainly satisfied WIT’s purpose in promoting fellowship, friendship and fun.  Hitting the road, meeting up with great folks, enjoying great fellowship and eating your way to heaven is the answer to owning an RV.  Members Gail & Billy Barnes and Barbara & Ralph Wilson were so lucky to have had a great group of visitors to join them at Lake Arbuckle.  We were doubly lucky when they

became members of Treasure Coast Travelers.   TCT welcomes our new members:  Larry & Judy Dhans (West Palm Beach); Norm & Annice Griswold (Sebastian); Lynn & Darlene Hyndman (Stuart);  Bill & Joan Kraftchak (Sebastian); Allan & Joanne Stocking (Fort Pierce) and add that we look forward to

Camping with our new friends.
This weekend is a great example of why we could never do without an RV.  Treasure Coast Travelers returned to one of their favorite campgrounds.  Lake Arbuckle RV Park is a Polk County campground in Frostproof, Florida surrounded by orange groves, state forest and Lake Arbuckle. The park’s quite small and there are no reservations to be had.  For some reason they were quite busy and we were worried about getting in.  We lucked out once again. This park’s setting is beautiful with views of the lake from almost every site.  There are many cypress trees with moss hanging to the ground and oak trees hovering over camp sites like giant umbrellas.

Monday we all arrived within a couple of hours of each other.  After introducing ourselves we all began setting up.   The park was able to put our seven RV’s together and everyone had a great site.   

 “Happy Hour” was exactly what it implied.  We found that we were a very congenial group.  We shared some great appetizers, a lot of conversation, played games and prepared for our dinner.   Billy & Gail supplied redfish, trout and snapper they caught in the Pan Handle area and the others prepared wonderful sides.  What a great meal!   Later that evening we were invited to the campground’s campfire and a “washer tossing” competition with the other campers.  We were no match for the campground old-timers.  Billy did come on strong and was the “last” standing for TCT.

  Tuesday morning we all met (coffee in hand) for a continental breakfast of fresh fruit, bagels/rolls and boiled eggs.    It was chilly so the guys started a roaring cozy fire which we kept burning all day.  We all huddled around the fire to get warm while the men made plans for the day.  Billy, Ralph and Larry all launched their boats and some of the new guys joined them, while Lynn tried his luck from the pier.  Once again – no fish!  It’s a good thing we don’t depend on them to feed us.  Maybe next campout!

Tuesday night we bar-b-qued spare ribs and again the group prepared many great sides, southern style green beans with potatoes and onions, potatoes casseroles, a new style cole slaw and baked beans.  Did I mention the desserts? There were many home made ones.  Oh my gosh!  New member Joan made a dessert that was to die for – the name says the rest “Better than Sex” Now was it? Hmmm… It was Pretty good!!!  We are all going to have to be very careful – all the new members (and old ones) are great cooks and like to prove it.  Thanks to everyone for preparing so many tasty dishes.  Everyone did over do it, but no one complained. 

Thanks to Joanne maybe we will be able to loose a few pounds.  She is full of way-too-much energy and encouraged most everyone to walk vigorously around the park to work off some of the calories – 10 times.  Barbara and Judy however found a way to cut the trips.  Judy theorized that walking on a full stomach was not good for you and Barbara was quick to say “let’s don’t hurt ourselves”.  Their ten trips turned into 5.    Now on the other end we have Darlene a crocheter who feels that’s enough exercise for her.  Ha!  We are diversified.   

Bill & Joan and Norm & Annice demonstrated hobby sailing rigs to the group.  The lake was a little too windy and the weather a little chilly for us all to enjoy this time but it looks like a lot of fun.  We hope they will bring their boats to another campout for us to enjoy. We want to thank the new members for adding fun to our campout.  The Kraftchaks & Griswolds demonstrated a different kind of washer toss game and Ralph has volunteered to make one for TCT.

Wednesday night the group decided to visit one of the neighboring towns and have dinner.  We had a great meal at Red Lobster.  They were able to seat all 14 and the service was great.  We all enjoyed a break from the campground.

Weather is always a factor in having a great campout and I guess you can say we had the best.  We had a little rain the last day but it did not interfere with our getting together.  Joan kept her curls safe under a newspaper as we all became a little friendlier under the canopy. 

Next campout will be held at Lake Kissimmee State Park near Lake Wales.   We will have seven rigs attending and hopefully more visitors will join us.  Take care and travel safe. 

Until next time...

Gail     

TREASURE COAST  TRAVELERS
NEW MEMBERS

 
Left to right:  Larry & Judy Dhans, Allan & Joanne Stocking, Bill & Joan Kraftchak,
       Lynn & Darlene Hyndman and Norm & Annice Griswold