Beaver Dam Campground

Have you ever had one of those weekends? The one where you get to Thursday night and say "where are we going to camp this weekend?" This is the story of us. Every weekend. Can I just say how annoying it is? "If its so annoying", I hear you ask "Why do you do it?" Because I'm a bit pathetic and brilliant at the same time. You see, we live in Maine, not Arizona. What does that matter? Ahhhh, it's called the weather. Which can change rapidly. And who wants to spend a weekend camping in the rain? Sitting out under the awning while that puddle of water slowly creeps up your ankles because the campsite slants toward the camper, is not my idea of fun. That's the brilliant. The pathetic is that it's the only excuse I could think of to make me sound brilliant. Just pathetic.

Anyhow, that happened to us recently. Well, you already know that. It always does. I called around to all our "standby" campgrounds. These are the ones who know us so well that they reserve a sight for us every weekend. Except for some strange reason they always confuse me for someone they don't know. Go figure. So in desperation, I begged my family to please remember all the places we had stayed the past 7 years and then tell me which one I liked best. A psychologically devastating place to be when your "standby" campgrounds cannot be relied upon.

So after a moment of pondering, my wife burst out "oh! I know! Remember that campground we went that one weekend years ago and we really liked it but we never have gone back for some reason although we had a really good time?" No, she really doesn't talk in run-on sentences, that was just my exuberance in realizing we could possibly go camping. After several minutes feeling like I was a contestant in the game "Pictionary", with campgrounds being thrown out in rapid succession, I finally and triumphantly shouted "Beaver Dam Campground!" It's one of those brief moments in life where you feel that you are possibly the most astute person within inches of yourself. Yeah, it's that special.

I grabbed my iPad, looked up their website, found their phone number and frantically began dialing. You'd think my life depended on it. However, only my sanity did. After she did the "welcome to....blah, blah..." I said "Ummm, go ahead and tell me you are completely booked for the weekend and that I should try some other time" I don't need to tell you how confused that made her. "Excuse me?" I think I mumbled something about a joke and it being funny. Silence. I thought she was going to hang up but graciously, she did not and finally said they had 1 full hookup site left. "We'll take it!" I quite nearly shouted. To this day, I still don't know how close she came to calling the straight jacket people to come take me away.

The next day, to the rousing chant of "We're going camping, we're going camping!" we were off. Ok, we might not have actually chanted that. As in I know we didn't. We've been camping far to often for everyone else but me to be that demented. So it was just me...chanting in my head.

Now let me say this about Beaver Dam. The owners are very humble. How so? Well, if you didn't use GPS to help you know where they are located, you just might well blow past the campground and not even know it was there. Unless you had the eyesight akin to a bird of prey. You know you have reached the campground by their relatively small sign. No, not one that screams "Hey, check us out! We are a nice campground that really wants your business!" A small sign. And to backup the low-key approach, they made the drive into the campground at a dip in the road, with plenty of trees to discourage a person from knowing the entrance actually exists. But once you locate the campground and turn up the drive, you start to think "oh yeah, this ain't so bad!" Or if you aren't me, you can probably say it out loud, and no one in the vehicle will give you strange looks.

The campground is smallish, 65 or so sites with some seasonals included in that number. And their full hookup sites are also limited to 24 sites. And most of the seasonals appear to be in those sites. Say what? And why do I go on and on about full hookups? Because camping just isn't camping without them, thats why. I mean, in a pinch, we could be persuaded stay in 2 way hookups, but only in dire emergencies. Like if it's the difference between camping and not camping.

So anyway, back to us pulling into the campground. After checking in at the office, which also is attached to the rec hall, which is attached to the movie screen area, which is attached to the tractor shed which it attached to something else, we drove toward our site

Now a point of interest, as you drive up the outside loop of the campground, you softly whistle under your breath. Again, maybe you don't. Maybe I just need to stop saying "you" and start saying "I" or "me". Might be less confusing to you, but the then again, maybe the change would further confuse me. I'll stick with what works. As if any of that needed to be said! Why the whistle? Because you notice that every campsite in this section is be a mere few feet from the lake. Really? Why hadn't we come back here? Oh yes, I remember! We are stupid! But I think you've already figured that out.

We pulled up to our site and did our high-fives that we do when we come upon a site we really like, and then set about to back in. Now another point of interest, or not, is that we were having a heat wave that particular weekend, with temps in the high 90's. 98 to be exact. And so when my wife got out to direct me in my backup efforts, I refused to roll the window down on grounds that I might lose some of the precious air conditioning that I was currently enjoying. She rather pointedly and correctly stated that I could not possibly hear her directions, but I thought it was a risk worth taking, as I was cool and wouldn't be if I rolled the window down. She was a great sport about it, throwing her hands up and moving under the shade of big pine tree while I backed up, pulled forward, backed up, pulled forward backed up...well you get the idea. Fortunately, she knows what a idiot I am, and by the time I finally got it right, we were laughing as hard as our neighbors were...at us. We do our best to entertain.

The kids quickly found that right next to our site was a dock that they could fish off of, or catch turtles, or just hang out and realize how fortunate they are to have such awesome parents that take them to cool places like this.

My wife was also pleased as punch that for every site or two, they have a regular-sized trash can, which they emptied twice daily. No more hoofing it the mile or 2 to the dumpster other campgrounds put in the most remote spot they can diabolically come up with.

There are other nice little touches they have to make the campground enjoyable during your stay. They have themed weekends, where they provide some activities for the kids, but the campground also has some permanent things to help the whole family pass the time away, such as a pool with water that sometimes feels a few degrees above freezing



and playground

and kayaks, canoes and paddle boats for rent

And swimming beach area, complete with swimming platform anchored just far enough out that it might provide hours of amusement to see who can, or can't make it out to it, and quietly laugh at those who can't

Now I'm sure those of you who don't have kids are thinking "Great! Thank you! I was thinking of coming to this campground, but you can count me out! Too many kids!" But don't be so hasty, may I just remind you, if the kids are being entertained at one end of the campground, that leaves the whole other part of the campground kid free and quiet...oh yeah!!...we were the lucky recipients of that little gift, as our nice kids found 2 other nice kids to play with all weekend. Ahhh...the bliss! Indeed, there's something for everyone. Plus the diminutive size of the campground lends itself to peace and quiet to begin with.

A note of interest, however. When we were there several years ago, it was their wet and wild weekend, where people were apt to carry water canons around and randomly soak the unsuspecting, and guess who the worst "offenders" were? Nope. You're wrong. Not the bratty kids or teenagers...not even the adults. It was the grandpas in the Class A diesel pushers. Thats right them. Geriatrics. And they seemed to be having as much fun as the kids. I rest my case. What case? There was no argument.

In addition to the already mentioned amenities, they have the Dam Diner, a utility trailer turned into a fast food takeout restaurant which is not a restaurant because there is nowhere to sit down, just to take out. Well, except the picnic tables in front of the Dam Diner. You could sit down there. While we did not need the services it offered, for those who tent camp, or just don't want to make pancakes or hot dogs, it just might fit the bill. Plus, the name is plain funny, so why not have it?

All in all, being in an environment that is quiet, picturesque and family friendly is a nice change from the bigger, busier, noisier campgrounds which are within 30 minutes of this campground. Yes, when you can sit here and relax at the end of the day

or see this mere steps from your site in the late evening

it kind of makes it hard to understand why we didn't make this one of our "standby" campgrounds. Except then, they'd forget who I was too...

Living Large at Danforth Bay Resort

So here it was finally, our first outing of 2013 to Danforth Bay Camping Resort in Freedom, NH. Why campgrounds use the word "Resort" in their name I will never know. Any place where you have to be your own septic tank technician, plumber or sanitation engineer does not strike me as a "Resort". And "Resorts" usually have a Spa or 5 Star Restaurant, with the finest vegetarian ribeye steak you ever saw. Seriously, what is a vegetarian ribeye steak? Where do I come up with these things?! But anyhow, that's what they named it, so that's what I call it.

In addition to being our first camping of the season, it was also only 4 days before our...wait for the over-used cliché..."epic" journey to the Arkansas. Cliches can be so annoying. In addition to it being just 4 days before our "epic" journey, we also brought along our friends who just bought their first trailer.

But not to worry, we were the veterans, having logged thousands of miles and hundreds of days in Casita. They were in good hands. Like Allstate.

Unlike us, who just plain refused to camp until we could do it on our terms; electricity, plumbing, A/C a shower, they were the type who would throw out a sleeping bag on the snow when it was 40 below zero and exclaim "ah, life is good!" Pathetic I'd say, but I don't judge...

We have been to this campground a number of times in the past 6 years, but chose it for our trial run. It's that special of a campground you ask? No, it was simply one of the few campgrounds that was already open for the season. May can be such a cruel month to northeastern campers. Clarification; northern campers. Sometimes it can be warm, and inviting and the weather just taunts you. Kinda like "Ha! Ha! You COULD be camping but no campgrounds are open. Loser!" I don't need to tell you how that makes a kind, sensitive person feel when that is said. Especially by the weather.

I know, you're thinking "oh great! Another 'this is what's wrong with the campground' review and then at the very end 'but we love it!' So predictable. Get a new schtick!". You might think that, but you'd be wrong. We really like the campground.

Back to my story and review. So we loaded our bikes on the bike rack...Oh wait a side explanation is needed. A couple of years ago, I had a 2" receiver welded through our Casita bumper so we could take our 4 bikes along on our trips. After all, what is camping without the guilt of taking along a piece of exercise equipment that you know you will never use the entire weekend? Well, the kids do, so they have no guilt.

Now we have had our fair of calamities relating to the bike rack, but since I would rather forget those memories and make up new ones which I enjoy more, I won't recount the bad ones now. Plus, we have gotten used to the strange looks people give us as they pass us and the wild gestures they make. We always just politely smile and give our best New England "hello"; an almost imperceptible nodd of the head. We don't want to be mistaken for being friendly.

So anyhow, we met our friends at their home, and I did a quick professional inspection of their trailer hookup, tugging here and grunting there. I could tell they were very impressed, so I withheld from them that grunting wasn't some primordial method of showing my satisfaction. It was from being a smidgen overweight, (obese is such an unkind word!) and bending over forces the air out of my lungs with great force and speed. I see a few of you nodding in understanding. Yes, you know exactly what I'm talking about!

And then we were off. Throughout the 20 miles of highway driving, I happened to notice our friends stayed quite a distance back. I laughed, telling my wife that the strength Toyota FJ, combined with mere featherweight of the Casita proved a spritely little combo. I slowed down to wait for them, but oddly, they slowed down too. Now I was becoming a bit offended. Or curious. Maybe both? After we went through one of our infernal toll booths and I pulled over to make sure everything was ok with them. He jumped out of his car and said "did you know your bikes are really bouncing around on your rack? And your rack is pretty loose too?" Just asking here, do any of you realize how quickly your pompous bubble can burst and how plain dumb you feel when someone points out the most obvious? I managed a grin, said "yeah, I'd better figure out a way to stop that!" and practically ran to the safety of my FJ. They never did follow too close...

Several hours and sweaty palms later, we pulled into Danforth Bay Camping Resort. Now comes the time to dissect the campground, the favorite-est part for me. On a previous post about Moose Hillock, I stated that it takes up the top third of the state of New Hampshire. If that's the case, then Danforth Bay takes up the middle third. You might be tempted to draw a conclusion that I distain small campgrounds. That would be factually incorrect. Merely a happenstance. A convergence of similar but unrelated events.

But the two campgrounds share several undeniable characteristics. Go ahead, put on your protective tinfoil headgear, this has a syfy edge to it...when you pull up to either check-in area, you see the buildings and multiple lanes for the checking in RVs to park in. Similarity 1. And from where you park to check-in, you can't see much else of anything. Similarity 2. It's not until you drive past the buildings that you see the heavenly pools. Similarity 3. But that's where the similarities end. While Moose Hillock may have some seasonals, you really don't notice them, because the blend in exceedingly well. Danforth Bay, on the other hand, adds three distinct words-Park Model Homes. Yes, enough to strike fear into any transient campers. And not just Park Model Homes, golf carts, motor boats and other landscape enhancing items can be seen at the campsite of these semi-permanent residences. And decks and pink flamingos.

I gotta say, the first time we drove through, I had an inescapable urge to lock the doors and avoid eye contact. It was a bit surprising why there were so many high praise reviews on different web sites. I wondered if the park model home owners were the ones doing the reviews. Don't get me wrong, most of the seasonals are adequately maintained, but it does have the feel of a trailer park in the woods. And there are endless streams of the golf cart buggies flying here and there. Which brings me to another one of life's mysteries. Why is it that the 5 MPH speed limits are strictly enforced when it comes to cars, but golf carts can barrel along at near the sound of speed and the security folks are completely oblivious? I know you are confused. Did I, or did I not say we liked this campground? Yes. Then are you to question my sanity and ability to rationally discuss campgrounds? Yes. Onward then, shall we?

It's after you drive through a section of seasonals that you slowly become aware that this campground does indeed hold promise and potential. For you see, the Resort, I think wisely, clumped them all together. This allows the transient campers to also be clumped together and feel like they are camping, and not spending a weekend in a trailer park. And by the time you get to the overnight sites, you are almost in a separate campground. The seasonals, for the most part can't be seen, and some of the overnight sites are so far away, you'd have to get a road map out to find the seasonal sites. And golly! What sites they have!! When we pulled into our designated site, a slow grin tickled the edges of our mouths. The sites where humongous! Granted, our perception of huge can be often affected when we park our teeny-tiny Casita on a site, but really, when I say ginormous, make an effort to believe me. It will be worth it. They also have 2 way hookup sites right at the lake's edge. On a peninsula. Tell me that isn't cool!

But that's not the only nice thing about the campground-no sir! They are on Danforth Lake, or is it Danforth Pond? Probably not either of those names. But anyhow, they are on a lake. There are 2 sandy beaches within the campground, which you can use should neither of the 2 pools tickle your fancy. I am technically incorrect. Their are 3 pools but one is a kiddy pool which does not allow adults. Ask me how I know that, go on...more on the pools in a minute. You can rent kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, motor boats and paddle board. And you only need to sell a kidney to afford the rentals.

Back to the pools. They are really quite nice, big and refreshing. Well, that is if you could fit in them. No, I'm not making disparaging remarks about your weight. I have no idea if you were blessed with an appetite or not. What I mean is that there are so many people in them, you just might not have room to get in. Well, you might, but you won't be able to move much. But that's ok, most adults merely take a quick dunk to get cool after a long session of actively trying to procure skin cancer...ummm, I mean sunbathing. They leave the actual fun to their kids. As you can see from the picture below, swim space is at a premium. They have 1 saltwater pool and one chlorinated pool, I guess to confuse people into wondering why.

They also have a recreation field, where kids young and old can play baseball, throw frisbee's, exercise pets if you are unfortunate enough to have them, or....over on one side of the field they have a bike park, complete with big dirt moguls to ride over. Correction, that's all that they have in bike park, but it is a lot of fun. To watch someone else.

In recapping, Danforth Bay Resort has something for everyone. And even if you have to drive through the seasonal trailer park to get to the overnight camp sites, you will be glad you did. And the 2 beaches, 3 pools and recreation fields gives everyone something to do. Oh, and by the way, in case you read this and get a hankering to go there next weekend, forget it. Throughout the summer, they are almost always completely booked. As in every weekend. As in reserve way, way in advance.

And how did our bikes survive the 100 mile trip back home? Kind of you to ask! Sunday when we were getting ready to leave Danforth Bay, I took the 1 ratchet rope strap that I had with me, circled it around the vertical "T" arm of the bike rack and commenced to tighten it for all I was worth. No one told me that Thule put an end-cap on the outside of the "T". So when I ratcheted it up so tight, it popped that end cap off, which took the shortest route to and object which would stop it, which just so happened to be my forehead. Immediately, I felt an egg growing inside my skin. I did which could only be mistaken for an indian rain dance while shouting ow, ow, ow!

We finally made the trip home, and although overall it had been a success, I can truthfully say, I think we either amused or scarred our friends for life. They definitely weren't in good hands!

But that was nothing compared to what was about to happen on our "epic" journey!

Bring on the 2013 Camping Season!

Last spring, I had to be bribed to get excited about camping. Which is totally uncharacteristic. Kinda like a kid dreading Christmas. Yeah, so you know how weird it is. I'm usually the geeky cheerleader dad, you know the one who wears a fishing vest, and Bermuda shorts with a lantern tied to their belt, while chanting "who wants to go camping with me?". I still don't know why everyone scatters like cockroaches when a light is turned on. Not that I'm saying my family are cockroaches, by any means! Am I digging myself a bigger hole? Oh dear!

Or, maybe last year, my sub-conscience knew what calamities would befall us on our first outing. Ummmm, like my all-to-simple brain could figure that out...please!! Or maybe I just had a 2011 post-camping season depression hangover. Or, maybe it is one of those universal mysteries that just can't be explained. Which happens all too often with me.

Whatever the reason, when this spring rolled around I was ready. Even possibly excited. And this year, I know exactly why. Many hours of deep introspection and meditation revealed it to me. Ok, so I embellished the severity of my concentration. It really only took me a few moments to determine why. There were 3 quite specific reasons.

First, is that we purchased the fantastic tow vehicle (ok, confession time...fantastic to me) last year after our disaster with the Astro Van, so I did not need to worry about it falling apart. My beloved Toyota FJ Cruiser. That in and of itself is a big relief. No more holding the old van together with duck tape, rubber bands, bubble gum and a prayer. Try to convince me not to smile about that! Granted, we are back to "Dad! He's on my side of the seat!" "Am not! Mom, tell her to stop annoying me!" But still, it beats the uncertainty of not knowing if we will be blowed apart when the engine decides it has had enough of us.

Then, we had an acquaintance of ours buy their first trailer, and asked for tips to get them going. Now, them asking that was akin to asking a dog if it would like a bone to chew on. I lept at the chance and I think in the process, it got me raring to go. It inspired me to clean the Casita out before they came over to get pointers, wash and wax it, vacuum the ceiling and remove 6 years of dust collection from the fantastic fan. I also begged my wife to quiz me on all aspects of camping if for no other reason than to not look stupid. Because I might be a few ingredients short of the entire cake, but I do NOT like it being too obvious, that's for sure. "Before leaving, do you make sure you have your wife or your children, or both, or do you even care?", "Should you open both the black and the gray valves at the same time?", "Is it necessary to block the wheels if the trailer is on a downhill slant?" and many more thought-provoking questions.

The third and final reason I think I was a bit more jazzed this year than last was that we were going on a long cross country trip. Nothing makes me happier than a trip, aka "National Lampoon's Vacation", or "RV". Oh, except they had misery, while we would have no such thing. We would have sunshine and soft breezes wafting past our smiling faces for 4000 miles. Plus, we were taking our 2 Boston Terriers. Nothing spells a positive mental attitude like mangy mutts!

No, 2013 is going to be different...better...stay tuned.