Chp35 RV'ing is fun
We pull into the Gulf Harbor campground in Grindstone Provincial Park along the north shore of Lake Winnipeg. It's been a grueling ride from Camp Kippechewin in Riding Mountain National park. The group campground road was slow going for the RV's, Luckily We drop everyone not driving at the Visitor center, thank god for the CPO SUV. I Think Chris and Ray, were the only two not frayed or short temper. But then again I remember a certain campground in the Pocono's that had Chris sitting in an ice-cold stream for close to an hour to cool his temper, a three-foot dent/scratch along the side of the old beast.
We should have push on to Gulf harbor, but we didn't. Everything that could go wrong did. Flat tires, sewer problems, a rain storm and Family strife. Grace and Carrick had a big fight over an issue neither will discuss with anyone.
Elliot and Kate had a knock down drag out food fight, In bear country. Which meant the bears that night had the dogs upset and no pup tents. That made me a very cranky lady. Emma got her period and Langley has his first taste of PMS.
All the females in the group got their periods within hours and days. So, the whole camp site which we have to ourselves is Man hating and female discomfort. The guys retreat to the lake, swearing off women forever.
Final with the monthly issue over, the guys are pouty and sulking. We spent a long time getting out of the campground and on to the open road. We're ever frigging tire in the group decides to fail. Chris has had 'it after the eight tire. We pull into a tire store and spend two hour getting all new tire on every RV and SUV.
The kids are antsy, the adult surly, and I'm at the end of my patience with life, family, motherhood, and traveling in RV's! I what to take a nap, but the buzz of the air drivers changing lug-nuts is constant and annoying, maybe I'm having delay PMS.
It late at night when we pull into the Gulf harbor campground. The kids are asleep in the overhead bunk. I fall into bed fully dressed as Chris does hooks-up and helps the others. Ray is camped out on the couch. As Alex and Fred have been yelling the last hundred miles. The Adults aren't talking. Kate, Emma and Mia are at Elliot's, who's sleeping on the roof. Bruiser and Teller are snoring angrily, with Tinkerbelle and sir William in our crowded RV.
Xxxxx
Dawn greets me with a sunny smile and clear skies. The lake view is fantastic. The dog take their morning resolutions; we follow pooper scooper in the ready. Chris is sleepy eyed and leans on me. I tease him about the start of his lumber jack beard.
At a bench along the water. He sings "I'm a Lumberjack and I'm OK!" I fall, kind of pushed by Tinkerbell into the water laughing my ass off. As he does the entire song, worse several other early morning dog walkers join in. A matronly woman helps me up as we all laugh at the impromptu show.
The herd wanders back to our respected camp sites. The women apologize to each other for their husband/boyfriend insanity. I lean my wet, cold body into Chris nice warm one. How did I get so lucky?
The RV's are quiet and no one is wake. It's just an hour after dawn. I start to unload the outside cookware and stove; Chris works the awning and rouse the CPO and family. Just as the coffee is perking, Kate wanders over, looking zombie, her usual morning look, followed by zombie Emma. It must be a family thing, looking half dead or undead first thing in the beautiful AM. "Anna, stop your too bright and shine in this ungodly hour before I have my coffee and a good yaw." Snaps Kate. Emma nods her agreement.
Loud and boisterous the boy attack me. I settle them and me with hot cider tea. Coffee for the uncouth Vandals of the group, how can a civilized person turn down refined cup of tea to start their day. Ray sits next to me sipping his English Earl Grey. I lean in and give him a good morning peck. He nearly cries, he's still so emotional about are reconnecting.
Mia wanders over with a basket of muffins, she baked last night on the road. How does she do it. "The Parents are snoring, loudly, I let William in. maybe he can wake them. The CPO's are bushed as well. O' and Alex and Fred are jogging to the point and back. it looks like team Grey is getting back to happy level orange."
I nod as a SUV pulls up. Smiling aged faces of the Grand's. I am shocked they couldn't make the trip because of health concerns, but here they are. "We flew into the resort; we have a lovely cabin suite. The resort has a breakfast buffet, my treat?" Grandpa T says. I look about. "Sure, thirty minutes" "Yep we're that exasperating daughter and son-in law of ours?" he winks at Grandma T.
"Still lazing the beautiful day away. You should wake'em up, to start living a meaning full life." I squeak. I see Chris trying hard not to laugh, the boys have no self-control as they roll on the ground. I see Mia concerned face, yep their right behind me! I know it, well play the dice. "I mean after the last campsite, I'm sure the two have gone all hippie, tree hugging, give everything away, live in yurt, and find nirvana with the wacky weed, and mushroom they'll grow."
I feel the arm encircle my neck as Grace leans in a hug me, "I see someone has been smoking something wacky. The closets clown of Chris and Anna have come out." "Grandma, Grandma! don't forget us" Screams the boys, as they goof and clown about. Chris jumps up on the table. "Don't you dare!" I scream.
He smirks at me as the boys join him, with Elliot. "I'm a Lumberjack and I'm OK!" they choral the whole frigging song, complete with moves, they practiced this shit. Carrick conducts. I'm going to kill them if Grace and I can get off the ground, laughter is killing me.
Afterwards "I take it the clock starts now, see you at the dining room. behave normal?" Grandpa T says as they drive away. To the claps and boos and whistle of our neighbors. My whole body is red.
Xxxxxxx
The Grand's are here for the week. Grandpa T has a couple of boats for fishing and water sports. The men head out to fish the afternoon as we mistaking allow Mia to lead a Hike thru the rugged beauty of Gulf Harbor boutiques and specialty shops.
Forging a path of destruction as my Amex slice and dices the fauna of designer cloths, local made jewelry and apothecary delights. Till even the most dauntless trekkers have to retreat to the beach side loungers and wait service. Mia and Kate want more, more. I'm tempted to pour my ice-cold mango-peach tea on them. Grandma T promise a trip back down to the road to Gimli, more shops.
I edit the friend's manuscript, while Grace read a well-worn historic romance novel, Normandy Knight take over England, but is tamed by a beautiful willful maiden. Kate, Gail, Mia and Emma are getting tans, as Alex works her laptop. Grandma T is gossiping with another lady, they been here two days already, made a lot of friends. Bruiser snores peaceful. All is right with the world.
I feel wet drips of water on my legs. As a wet hunk grabs me off the lounger and carries me screaming to the water. I push back the wet hair, his and mine. Chris. I feel water on my feet. "Don't you dare Christian Grey!" "Mrs. Grey! I dare! I dare!" as my body leave his safe embrace to float for a millisecond before the cold water encompass me. "AuGH! I rise like the Kraken, intending to wreak havoc, as I watch an Elliot stagger by with Kate legs and arms locked around his neck Mia on his back. both Screaming murder.
Carrick has Grace, begging and fighting not to be dunk. My son Langley has Emma, who's cuddling and trying to defuse the dunk, I should have thought of that. I push a willing Christian Grey under the water. I see Grandpa T, some CPO and James on boats just off the swim markers. Their laughing. I shake my fist; they turn tail laughing and cruise away. James sneaks a look back; waving at me. I wave back. I turn my back on my playful stud, wrong move Anastasia. AS I'm airborne again to land un-lady like in the water.
Elliot is a machine throwing the kids into the air. Kate and Mia sweep his legs and dunk him good. I see my mine Casanova sweeping his girl to a quiet section. I hope they keep it PG in public.
Shit have I got rocks for brains, he's a Grey. I swim out to them, Chris on my hip. "Hey, PG in public!" They look caught, "PG like uncle Elliot, or Grand or Grand's or Dad and you." I start to speak when Chris turns a swim away hard and angry. Shit! "Like a gentleman in public. Understand, like Aunt Alex and uncle Fred" I turn to chase Chris.
I catch him as he rebounds back from the far marker. He's crying. I hold him, he can't speak. I hold him in the water. Not understanding. The adult arrives. "What wrong?" Grace ask. "I don't know, we were cooling the kids down and suddenly he took off. Baby what wrong. Please tell me?" I beg.
"he, a he. Called_me_ augh. Hoff hoff hoff. Dad_" I look confused. "Anna, I have this" As Carrick takes him from me. hugging him.
"Chris, I know what you're feeling. Let it out. I remember the first-time Elliot called me dad. I couldn't speak for hours. I cried in the boat house for hours. When you finally spoke, I was elated. When you called me Dad, I had to leave for the night. I couldn't show the deep emotion to anyone, not even Grace. You had accepted me as your father. I was a father, a dad. It is one of the most fulfilling word a male can hear. It unlocks emotions and thoughts we never knew we had. I remember each time my children said Dad and Father for the first time. You will do great. You have a family that loves and cares about you. A wife who despite it all is an incredible giving person. I hope you lean on me, I love you son, since the first moment your mother introduces us." "I love you too dad" Chris whispers.
Grace hugs me as we listen to Father and son. I felt the same deep emotions when the boy first called me mother. Gail held me as I reveled in the high, of acceptance and love. James was the first to say it. Followed shortly by Langley. They are needing strong hand and gentle touch. I watch him frolics with Emma.
I feel Chris arms encircle me, as we watch our son.
Lumberjack Song Monty python:
I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK
I sleep all night and I work all day.
He's a lumberjack and he's OK
He sleeps all night and he works all day.
I cut down trees, I eat my lunch
I go to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays I go shopping and have buttered scones for tea
He cut down trees, he eat his lunch
He go to the lavatory.
On Wednesdays he go shopping and has buttered scones for tea.
He's a lumberjack and he's OK
He sleeps all night and he works all day.
I cut down trees, I skip and jump
I like to press wild flowers.
I put on women's clothing and hang around in bars.
He cuts down trees, he skips and jumps
He likes to press wild flowers.
He puts on women's clothing and hangs around in bars.
He's a lumberjack and he's OK
He sleeps all night and he works all day.
I cut down trees, I wear high heels
Suspendies and a bra.
I wish I'd been a girlie, just like my dear pappa.
He cuts down trees, he wears high heels?
Suspendies...and a bra?
...He's a lumberjack and he's OK
He sleeps all night and he works all day.
...He's/I'm a lumberjack and he's/I'm OK
He/I sleep all night and he/I work all day.
Songwriters
Jones, Terry / Palin, Michael / Tomlinson, Fred