Back up systems

[Rich Thomas]

A couple weeks ago I had a weekend camp out set up with my youngest son. He works for a transportation research company and is stretched a little thin when it comes time for family and friends; so when He calls and says POP lets go camping I usually try to accommodate him. Heck I'd go camping at the drop of the hat with any of my boys as far as that goes. Well as many of you are well aware of my conundrum with the Palace over that week end I was forced to go to a back up plan and, since I have a really messed up back and the weather change over the last few days I've been relegated to the recliner , heating pad and well lots of dead time so I thought I would share a few pic's of our outing using my ever faithful  Coleman Red Wood pop up camper. I'm a tent and sleeping bag camper at heart but following my accident and the eight surgery after math, those days are gone hence, the pop up came into play. Many a camp out have been had in the little Coleman a very basic means of the family gathering together for a few nights away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Over the years we went every time we had a chance then came college and fresh new careers and the Coleman was pushed back in the garage and mainly used for well, you know- a place to store junk on. Oh it came out on occasion when one of the kids would call and ask to use it or I'd set it up once or twice a year just to keep it serviceable. A couple years ago my middle son and I towed to the Smoky's for a week long camp where it served as a base camp while we road bikes all over the area. Then came Palace and the little pop up was used even less. Twice I was offered a good price for it and twice I decided not to sell; after all I may get to where I can set it up on my own and start using it again. It tows like there's nothing there and frankly it's just a part of the family I'm not willing to part with. Any way It once again proved it's worth and we ended up having a really nice time even though it rained cats and dogs. We never got wet and had a good evening of chess and checkers. we set up the tripod and slow cooked Chili over the fire the next dayand just sat around talking and enjoying the day. 

[Rich Thomas]

Sorry about the grammar, I'm a coal miner not a scholar.