Camping is for the bird…ers…

After our one successful one night stay at Maumee Bay, we knew the park was going to be on our repeat list!  The following weekend we headed back to MB.  We found out, as we checked in, that it was Birders week. 

Apparently, it’s the Biggest Week in American Birding is a 10-day festival in northwest Ohio, "The Warbler Capital of the World!".

We thought it was super cool when the office told us about it, so we went and bought a bird feeder, seed and a pole.  It would appear the cheapest bird feeder we found sucked.  So we ended up dropping the seed on the ground.

But it was so cool to see all the beautiful birds!!  We had a Cardinal that didn’t leave our site.  There were quite a few Blue Jays, and a TON of Red-winged Blackbirds. 

On Friday, as usual, it rained.  We ended up switching sites b/c the Friday site was booked for Saturday, but our Saturday spot was not booked for Friday!  WOO!  Instead of staying one night at #119, the park let us moved to #55 Friday, so we could set up our site. 

Since it was so chilly on Friday, we didn’t stay outside long.  When we came in to watch tv and stay warm, the tv wasn’t getting any local channels.  So weird, because it was earlier.  Guess what..Dennis forgot to put the antenna down. At least he didn't forget me! *First mark against our newbie RV selves.

Saturday was nice but so cold.  We had my mom, brother, Jenny & kids over for dinner.  Jenny wasn’t feeling well and spent most of the time napping inside.  It was chilly and I ended up getting sick around 7.  I was so upset b/c we were having a good time hanging out!  The other stayed outside and taught the kids how to play Euchre. 

Sunday morning, we could hear the birds singing.  I opened the blinds in my room and we watched them fly in and out of our yard.  It was so peaceful.  We were all pointing out different things about each bird.  

Since it was warming up, we decided to stay one more night.  (Luckily MB is close to our home/work/school!). 

We did have to go to a different site, but that was fine – it was less muddy. Cai, Bry & I were setting up the site and saw a beautiful yellow bird.  After some online and book research, we found out it was an American Yellow Warbler.  Unfortunately, both times it was near us, we couldn’t get a good picture.  Boo.
But we followed it with the binoculars.

Later, as the four of us played Euchre, a girl about Bry’s age & her older brother rode up on their bikes.  The girl said “Can we be friends and ride bikes?”

The girls looked at me and I said ok – go ahead.  Off they went.  Dennis got into his hammock, I reclined my chair and we sat there in peace.  After about 10 mins, I said, “The girls didn’t take their phones.  How am I supposed to check on them?  Maybe I should go look for them.”

Dennis said, “I’m sure they’re fine…but I did just watch this Criminal Minds episode where they used kids to lure kids.”

Me:  !!!!!!! Why would you tell me this??!!

Dennis:  I don’t know.

Me: Give me the keys!

Off I went…As I pulled off of our loop, I saw a couple walking their very LARGE dogs.  As I got closer, I realized they were not dogs – they were donkey’s.  One had flowers on it’s ear and the other was wearing a lei.  Perfectly normal.

I took a picture b/c I knew there was no way Dennis would believe me!

I went down 3 of the loops and by the park – no kids.  I started to panic.  I headed back to our site to tell Dennis he was coming to help me find them and there they were, waiting for me.

Ugh…

After that, I asked them to stay where I could see them.  Too many bad scenarios were going through my head. Later, my mom said they never knew where we were.  Well…as the child that was off doing things – that was a bad decision on their part.  We did so many stupid & dangerous things!   The little girl (McKenna) was talking to me (while Dennis slept in the hammock) and I asked her if she lived close, she responded yes, 5 mins away.

She asked Bry if they could play the next day and I told her that we wouldn’t be here.  She was disappointed.  She asked if we’d be back Friday and I said maybe. 

I asked her how old she was (same age as Bry) and what school she went to. When she told me, I asked her if she knew my cousin’s son.  She responded yes, he’s in 3^rd grade, right? 

Since she "checked out" I felt much better letting the Bry play with her – haha – yes, I am insane.  When they rode bikes over to her site (a loop over), Bry came back and told me her mom was a volunteer there and they go camping every weekend. 

We were so sad to have to leave Monday morning.  We are really loving this camping thing.  Even if it’s local spots – it’s worth it.  Just being away from the house and hanging out in these parks is a lot of fun!

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