Good Neighbors

I know I sometimes sound cranky about the people who camp in the national forest, so I wanted to talk about our good neighbors today.

The national campground rules state that any campsite can hold up to three cars, and often that means a party of drinkers and noisemakers.  That's what we worried about when site 22 filled up with adults, children and a dog, all in a big tent and a pop up camper.  We were wrong.

The dog, a border collie, seldom barks.  The six children are kept busy with games, swimming and naps.  We seldom see them.   The adults take turns organizing the kids, cooking and cleaning.  No cases of beer have appeared.  When the children step out of line, an adult quietly discusses what they did wrong and how they could do better.  Our guess is that these are teachers in charge.

 By 8:30 pm sharp, the children are at the campsite being entertained with storytime.  I confess that I listen in from next door because the tellers are very good at this task.

By 9:00 pm the children are tucked in and quiet.  The adults quietly converse for an hour. At 10:00 pm everyone is in bed.  The only noises we hear are the call of the loon, the coyotes down the trail, and the nightly bard owl hoot offs.  

This afternoon, I will take a watermelon over to them in appreciation.