Wharton State Forest, 7/13-15/2007

I got to the Buttonwood Hill Camp Site (of Wharton State Forest) 3 PM Friday at about the same time as Walter and was fit to be tied: the site was already full of trailers, tents and other people not part of our group! Then Janet arrived and we all set up our tents in out-of-the-way locations. About 6 p.m. the two absentee trailer owners, returning to claim their spots, were unhappy to see us. I explained that the camp office had rented the site to 27 people (it holds 30) as Buttonwood has become much more popular lately. To my relief, the trailer owners moved to the more secluded Bodine site about 5 miles away.

Dave, Evelyn, Frank and David arrived later and we had a campfire. Moonlight bathing in the Mullica River was a pleasant diversion. Saturday, Walter launched his new inflatable boat at Crowley’s Landing across the street from our camp. Several of us went kayaking, taking time out for a leisurely lunch/swim on the riverbank. Leo arrived in the interim and later he, Evelyn and Dave went out to dinner and to buy more wood. Frank and I had dinner at the Sweetwater Casino, a local nightspot with a spectacular sunset view and good music, but disappointing food. Janet was delighted with her swim in the Mullica River.

David and Walter took a long walk into the piney woods to escape the sand flies. David reported fewer wild blueberries this year. We had a campfire and laughed till late in the night.

Sunday, Evelyn and Dave went cycling. Most of us left early to beat the traffic.

Sarah