We did hit a snag, and had to start out Saturday morning, instead of Friday night, but it was beyond our control. We hit Palace Campgrounds in Galena, IL late morning and set about to find the perfect, shady spot to park the pop-up camper and set up camp in the primitive camping area. (No electric hook-up, etc.) Our first attempt at parking the camper failed, due to the primitive camping area being quite hilly. Our second attempt, just off the dirt road under some trees was perfect, except that we were at a bit of an angle. It made cooking a bit of a challenge in the camper, but we managed. It also caused us to joke endlessly about the mount and dismount of the seats and table in the camper. Due to the angle, we had a bit of maneuvering to get into the seats and had to be on the lookout for sliding pencils and beverages.
As we were setting up the trailer we were treated to music and singing, courtesy of our camping neighbor. They had an acoustic guitar and a banjo. I joked with my girlfriend that maybe they were Deadheads. (She's a big Grateful Dead fan.) She's like 'yeah, right'. Next thing you know, our camping musicians break into a Dead tune. My girlfriend was laughing and shaking her head. They also did several Beatles' tunes, Arlo Guthrie, Dusty Springfield, and some things I didn't recognize, but it was awesome nonetheless. Stairway to Heaven, Blackbird, Yellow Submarine, Come Together, This Land Is Your Land, The Look Of Love. After awhile, I jokingly confessed that I hired the musicians to make our romantic camping getaway complete. When my girlfriend asked how I knew we'd end up in that spot, what if she would have gotten into that first camping spot? I said I didn't want to be negative, but I didn't think we'd get up that hill with the trailer. Lol!
The banjo player even hopped on the hayride wagon and treated fellow riders to some music as they rode around the campground.
So, a few shots from our trip:
05/30/10 hot air balloons over the trees viewed from our campsite.
05/30/10 Sunset
05/30/10 Cooking breakfast on an angle.I also took a video of one of the songs we were treated to. Not great video because I took it on the sly from behind the van, but I think you can still get the idea of what we experienced. Great musicians. We overheard one of them say that they studied at The Academy of Music.
It was a great weekend and I look forward to future camping trips.
Lola's Diner©2008-2010
So glad that you had a good time + great music to boot!
ReplyDeleteI've never been camping, but I would love to try it at least once. Guess I'm a camping virgin, huh?
ReplyDeleteLovely pics.
Well, at least they were talented and it wasn't their boom box that they were playing. I'm not big on other people's music when I camp, I prefer the birds music instead, so I'm sort of resentful when someone starts cranking away on their guitar. But I'm a grump anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteHey, Petula--We are gonna camp out under the stars on our Hobo Tour!! Get ready!!
I haven't been camping in over 25 years, I'm just no the outdoorsy type. Glad you had a good time!
ReplyDeleteI use to be a dead head...lol. My family were big campers and every summer, thats where you would find us. Loading the car to go off to some campground.
ReplyDeleteI HATE CAMPING!!! Im more of a hotel/ pamper me kinda guy..lol
sounds like you two had a great time. The music sounds so wonderful for the background.
I couldnt hear the music on the video though...boo hoo. I love that kind of folksy music.
Isn't camping great?! I'm so glad you had a great time and the musicians, what a treat!
ReplyDeleteI really thought you were going to say they were playing Dueling Banjos, that would not have been a good sign.
Yay! I'm so glad you had a good time. Everyone needs a solo getaway with their sweetie.
ReplyDeleteAnd how cool that you had free musical accompaniment?