It's closing weekend, and that means we headed to Cedar Cove. This has become a staple of our camping season, as the campground has so much to offer. The site services help with the closing routine, and when the weather is inclement, the restaurant sure is handy to have available.
We arrived around 4:00pm, and after we got set up, Dale made up a couple of G & T's, we grabbed our chairs and headed to the end of the dock to enjoy the sunset. The forecast is for rain off and on throughout the weekend, so we wanted to take advantage of any sun we could get.
Fellow Alto owners Jennifer & Chris arrived, followed a short time later by Donna & Wayne. Once they all got set up, we gathered at our place for snacks and a catch up. Jennifer was late coming over, and unbeknownst to me, it was because she was getting the candles lit on my surprise birthday cake! Dale had arranged all week for the pieces to come together, a joint effort on all parts. Some fun Alto themed gifts from Chris & Jenn and Donna & Wayne also appeared, which got us all laughing. Totally took me by surprise, and very thoughtful. What a great way to celebrate a birthday.
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| the humour of Chris & Jenn... |
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| a fun birthday T-shirt by Donna & Wayne! |
Saturday was truly a poke around day, and the weather suited this activity, with a few scattered showers in the morning. We watched the guys from the campground bringing in the docks, all 150 of them, and they certainly have it down to a routine, as the job was done by late afternoon. Just one part of the huge amount of work it takes to keep a campground of this size running smoothly.
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| Barley blocking it all out to get some sleep |
Jennifer & Chris hosted a pot luck dinner, and the endless racks of ribs that Jenn barbecued were a nice tasty treat. We made up our grilled vegetables with goat cheese to go with the ribs, and Donna's apple crisp was a nice end to the meal. The weather cooperated and we sat out for the longest time, just chatting and laughing.
On Sunday we met Dale's parents at the Antrim Truck Stop, and we had a nice turkey lunch. It truly is a classic spot, with tasty home cooked meals and a nice bakery...a great combo.
Later in the afternoon, new Alto owners Louise & Tom drove in from Ottawa to have a quick visit. I have communicated with Tom through this blog, and it always nice to meet in person. They had little tours of each Alto, and asked lots of questions. They are keen on joining us all next spring when we open up...the party of Altos is growing.
Dinner was at the restaurant, which is such a handy option. They offer a creative and tasty menu, and the beer is nice and cold. We closed out the evening at Donna & Wayne's and then called it a day.
A hell of storm rolled through in the early morning. High winds drove the heavy rain almost sideways. This went on for at least an hour. Our awning was up, and it took a bit of a beating, but hung in there admirably. We knew the storm was coming, and we were glad we had piled our chairs and gear into the Santa Fe before turning in.
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| bit of a storm |
Once the rain settled down a bit, I started to work on getting the Alto ready for the winter. Tanks were drained then flushed, and antifreeze was pumped though the lines. It's all pretty straight forward stuff, but you do want to work through it methodically, so as to not miss any of the tasks. The rain stopped around noon, so we all visited a while longer while getting things squared away.
We were soon on our ways, the end of a fun weekend, and indeed, the end of a fun summer of camping.
Hey Jim and Dale - thanks for the discussion on the mods - especially the surge protector. Louise and I are looking forward to the mini "opening rally" with you and the others in the spring of 2018. I did not realize that you were celebrating a birthday otherwise I would have peppered you with even more questions to take your mind off it! I am celebrating my birthday today and did in true Altoist fashion by packing for a weekend trip down to Cambridge, ON. To camp in my son's driveway and see the grand kids. I shall soon know what it is like to be on the highway 401 most of the way. Only done it with a utility trailer a few times, not with this travel trailer. (Oops pardon me I did pull my dad's trailer on the 401 from Cambridge to Sarnia back when I got married - seemed no big deal then).
ReplyDeleteOn return I shall find a place to shelter the Alto gently.
Cheers until the spring. Until then Mod ON.
I am very low key about birthdays, and was truly surprised...by the surprise.
DeleteTowing the Alto is a breeze, even on the 401. Truth be told, we avoid the 401 like the plague, a we just simply do not enjoy the crazy speeds and the endless truck traffic. When we head in that direction, we take Hwy 7 to Peterborough, then the 115, catch a county road to the new 407 extension, then pick up the 401 again on the other side of Toronto. We find it a far less stressful drive. Nice that you are able to sneak in another little Alto trip. Safe travels.
The 401 trip there and back was uneventful (but boring). However when we arrived we found that the outside light cover had been blown away. Probably becasue I took off the cover, checked the bulb was incandescent and not LED and replaced the cover - not so securely in fact. After visiting CampMart in Cambridge I found the amber lens but also a nice replacement for the whole fixture and can put in a LED. It will be a look alike for the new Alto fixtures. So I bought an amber lens for that. Probably either do it next week or first thing in the spring.
DeleteNot so nice was waking up twice to the CO alarm in the middle of the first night and once in the second night! Now have to find that cause...searching the FB pages now. So my second mod (the first was the combination lock on the luggage compartment) will be interesting to get watertight.
Pretty common it seems to loose the light cover...generally after it has been removed and replaced by an owner. I place a strip of black electricians tape across the bottom, to connect the cover to the base. seems to work, and it hardly noticeable. The CO alarm is another common complaint. We have never had issues with ours, and my theory is the problem seems to be limited to the dual purpose units. Back in the day they were two separate alarms, and the complaints seemed to start when only the dual versions were installed. You will certainly like the amber lense, a much improved glow.
DeleteFirst off, Happy Birthday Jim. It just seems too soon to be winterizing but in reality we can't be more than a short while from that ourselves. Golly, weren't we all together just a few weeks ago in NC? It was so nice to meet you and Dale in person (and Chris & Jenn and Donna & Wayne!) after stalking your blog and gleaning such splendid counsel over the last few years. Thank you for that. Even learned from this most current episode that the application of "anti-freeze" to the Alto owners is a key step in the winterizing process! Looking forward to seeing you all again next summer! J&L
ReplyDeleteThanks Jack!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right that owner anti-freeze is a key part of the process...any process actually. The rally was definitely the highlight of the summer. Getting to meet in person so many of the people we have come to know through virtual means, just re-affirms the fact that you simply cannot beat actually getting together for a real visit! Looks like the SC rally next summer will draw us all together again...and we can't wait!
Hi Dale and Jim. Hopefully you were able to put your Alto to bed and now you can plan for 2018. Sherry and I have now lined up for our new Alto . We expect to take delivery in ( oh , it seems like along time ) April of 2019.Excited Y E S !!!! My sister and her hubby have also joined the line. Thanks dearly for graciously sharing your time and your knowledge. Ive read and will re read your blog a few more times before our possession date. So , like many others we look forward to future discussions with you and Dale. (and others ) Thanks again , Rob & Sherry (where/when is the gathering in S.C.?)
ReplyDeleteThat is great news…and before you know it, you will be out camping in your brand new Alto! Very cool that your sister and husband have also ordered.
DeleteYes, our Alto is now tucked away for the winter, and we are already planning for next year. That is a must do given the state of the parks reservation system, and you are mostly a weekend camper.
SC refers to Safari Condo, and their yearly rally is next summer in July. As it is their 20th anniversary, it seems to be generating lot of interest. Details are starting to appear on their website.
Always fun talking about the Alto and camping, so don’t hesitate to stay in touch.
Jim
Hi Jim. I pick up my Alto on July 19. I will miss the rally at SC but the reason I am writing is because I noticed you were at Cedar Cove. My son has his trailer there and we are going through that area on the August long weekend. We couldn't get a spot at Cedar Cove and have to stay at the KOA but that will be fine. Just wondered if your were going to be there that weekend?
ReplyDeleteHi Alan,
DeleteUnfortunately we will not be at Cedar Cove that weekend, as we are hoping to be at Driftwood that weekend.
Jim
Well another time then hopefully Jim. Let me know if you ever head out to Alberta.
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