We had a smaller group camping this weekend. Camping alongside Rene & I were Don & Betty Elliott, Barbara & Gary Lyons, Barbara & John Simmons, Pat & Jim Housley, Walter & Deborah Moore and Charlie & Janet Goding. Sometimes a smaller group is nice and a bit more intimate than larger groups, in any event I really enjoyed visiting with everyone.
Although the venue has a nice activity building, it was previously booked for a wedding reception this weekend, so we made due with our chairs, picnic tables and tents at Betty & Don’s site because they seemed to have to largest patio area which accommodated everyone nicely.
There was also a fire ban at Lake City RV Resort, so we were not able to enjoy a campfire; however great conversation was enjoyed by all, well in between trains that is. I think it was Janet that observed that the trains ran roughly every 30-45 minutes. Mostly commuter trains like Amtrak, but in the evenings well into the night, longer freight trains would come through blaring their train horns well past 2AM! Even though I enjoyed hearing and feeling the trains pass, I am sure not everyone shared my sentiment.
Thursday after arriving and getting settled, we all carpooled to Shrimper’s for dinner. The food was very good and HOT! … A refreshing surprise in the restaurant industry these days. Afterwards, back at the campground we all gathered at Don & Betty’s site to chill and visit.
Friday, day on our own. Bright and early Rene and I headed to Columbia to attend the annual tool sale at ManTool. Rene has quite often been on the receiving end of an awesome bargain when it comes to tool sales, and this one was no different. Only down side this visit was that they did not have any of the Sharper tools he was hoping to find. Back at the campground everyone was busy getting their dishes for pot luck ready. We had two tents covering picnic tables. Rain was not in the forecast, but we felt the dew in the air as the sun set. We feasted on chili, chicken fingers, homemade Cole slaw, chicken and dumplings, chicken w/macaroni and a few salads to name a few dishes. For desert Betty brought out this 6-layer chocolate cake. It was delicious and very sweet! Barbara Simmons also made brownies for the group.
After dinner, Rene held a brief meeting of a few things that he has been thinking about. . . . . . . . . .
Talked about a simple ‘No Frills’ schedule for campouts. Commented that we schedule activities at specific times, but no one shows up
Entertaining the idea of having a coach fee for those campouts where going out to dinner is not an option
Stressed the need to become familiar with the FaceBook page and its functionality
Putting a recruitment packet together for members to pass out
The club needs to pay Gary back
More people need to step up and help host the campouts
The clubs application form and pamphlet need updating
Saturday, day on our own. Brighter and earlier than yesterday, Rene and I headed out to the plant sale at the Moore Farms Botanical Gardens. I learned a long time ago that you always arrive early to these events to ensure you get the best selection, however I felt we had arrived late and it was only 8:15! Some plants were already sold out, only their profile tag remained. I was happy to see that the staff brought out more plants as specific varieties were sold, so we did get a consolation plant.
We did not need a reservation to tour the gardens, they were completely free today only, because of the sale. We were not allowed to go up on the observation tower, they had a cage surrounding the staircase. We met Janet & Charles and Deborah & Walter there. I took a ton of pictures while walking through the gardens. The flowers and plants were absolutely beautiful and so healthy you could almost feel them breathing. The plants we bought and brought home will give us years of enjoyment. I still need to transplant this Agave cactus but I need welders mitts to do it because of the spikes! Rene accidently brushed against it and immediately experienced a welt on his arm that lasted a couple of hours. I thought the spike had broken off in his arm.
Around 12:30, Greg & Barbara Nicholas arrived with Tremendously Terrific Toby who immediately searched out Rene. They were so happy to reunite! It’s only been a couple of weeks. Around 4:45 everyone carpooled to SLABS for dinner. The place was hopping with activity and the smell of brisket filled the air. My saliva glands were in overdrive and we hadn’t even exited the truck yet! Rene was trying to park in such a way that our get away after dinner would be painless. SLABS is a special restaurant, on the first Saturday of each month, they run a rib eye special, only time you can order a rib eye. The brisket was AWESOME, it basically melted in your mouth, no need for a knife. After everyone was stuffed to the gills, we headed back to the campground. I think we have enough Brisket leftover for at least three meals. Most of us visited once back at the campground, but it was an early evening. Greg & Barbara with Toby in tow headed for home two hours away. God speed and with fingers crossed they get their rig back before GEAR next month.
With time spent with good friends, the weekend just flew by and before we knew it, Sunday morning was looking at us square in the face. Time to head home and prepare for our next adventure!
Next campout:
FRVA – GEAR Rally at Ocean Lakes, Myrtle Beach, SC, November 5-9. You must make your own reservations with Ocean Lakes for sections HH, H, I and 2000. Phone 877-510-1113 or 843-238-5636 or book online.
Barnyard RV Park, Lexington, SC, December 4-7. Reservations must be made by November 1, 2025, phone: 803-957-1238
I believe Betty is putting the final touches on our 2026 camping schedule which will be emailed soon.
Carolina Drifters October 2025 Newsletter
Lake City Campout, October 2-5, 2025
We had a smaller group camping this weekend. Camping alongside Rene & I were Don & Betty Elliott, Barbara & Gary Lyons, Barbara & John Simmons, Pat & Jim Housley, Walter & Deborah Moore and Charlie & Janet Goding. Sometimes a smaller group is nice and a bit more intimate than larger groups, in any event I really enjoyed visiting with everyone.
Although the venue has a nice activity building, it was previously booked for a wedding reception this weekend, so we made due with our chairs, picnic tables and tents at Betty & Don’s site because they seemed to have to largest patio area which accommodated everyone nicely.
There was also a fire ban at Lake City RV Resort, so we were not able to enjoy a campfire; however great conversation was enjoyed by all, well in between trains that is. I think it was Janet that observed that the trains ran roughly every 30-45 minutes. Mostly commuter trains like Amtrak, but in the evenings well into the night, longer freight trains would come through blaring their train horns well past 2AM! Even though I enjoyed hearing and feeling the trains pass, I am sure not everyone shared my sentiment.
Thursday after arriving and getting settled, we all carpooled to Shrimper’s for dinner. The food was very good and HOT! … A refreshing surprise in the restaurant industry these days. Afterwards, back at the campground we all gathered at Don & Betty’s site to chill and visit.
Friday, day on our own. Bright and early Rene and I headed to Columbia to attend the annual tool sale at ManTool. Rene has quite often been on the receiving end of an awesome bargain when it comes to tool sales, and this one was no different. Only down side this visit was that they did not have any of the Sharper tools he was hoping to find. Back at the campground everyone was busy getting their dishes for pot luck ready. We had two tents covering picnic tables. Rain was not in the forecast, but we felt the dew in the air as the sun set. We feasted on chili, chicken fingers, homemade Cole slaw, chicken and dumplings, chicken w/macaroni and a few salads to name a few dishes. For desert Betty brought out this 6-layer chocolate cake. It was delicious and very sweet! Barbara Simmons also made brownies for the group.
After dinner, Rene held a brief meeting of a few things that he has been thinking about. . . . . . . . . .
Saturday, day on our own. Brighter and earlier than yesterday, Rene and I headed out to the plant sale at the Moore Farms Botanical Gardens. I learned a long time ago that you always arrive early to these events to ensure you get the best selection, however I felt we had arrived late and it was only 8:15! Some plants were already sold out, only their profile tag remained. I was happy to see that the staff brought out more plants as specific varieties were sold, so we did get a consolation plant.
We did not need a reservation to tour the gardens, they were completely free today only, because of the sale. We were not allowed to go up on the observation tower, they had a cage surrounding the staircase. We met Janet & Charles and Deborah & Walter there. I took a ton of pictures while walking through the gardens. The flowers and plants were absolutely beautiful and so healthy you could almost feel them breathing. The plants we bought and brought home will give us years of enjoyment. I still need to transplant this Agave cactus but I need welders mitts to do it because of the spikes! Rene accidently brushed against it and immediately experienced a welt on his arm that lasted a couple of hours. I thought the spike had broken off in his arm.
Around 12:30, Greg & Barbara Nicholas arrived with Tremendously Terrific Toby who immediately searched out Rene. They were so happy to reunite! It’s only been a couple of weeks. Around 4:45 everyone carpooled to SLABS for dinner. The place was hopping with activity and the smell of brisket filled the air. My saliva glands were in overdrive and we hadn’t even exited the truck yet! Rene was trying to park in such a way that our get away after dinner would be painless. SLABS is a special restaurant, on the first Saturday of each month, they run a rib eye special, only time you can order a rib eye. The brisket was AWESOME, it basically melted in your mouth, no need for a knife. After everyone was stuffed to the gills, we headed back to the campground. I think we have enough Brisket leftover for at least three meals. Most of us visited once back at the campground, but it was an early evening. Greg & Barbara with Toby in tow headed for home two hours away. God speed and with fingers crossed they get their rig back before GEAR next month.
With time spent with good friends, the weekend just flew by and before we knew it, Sunday morning was looking at us square in the face. Time to head home and prepare for our next adventure!
Next campout:
I believe Betty is putting the final touches on our 2026 camping schedule which will be emailed soon.
Renee (Sam) Bollengier