October 15, 2006 Hot Springs, N.C. Campsite 455

It’s after dark on Sunday night. We are in Hot Springs, North Carolina on the French Broad River.

Lonny and Amanda just left after spending the day with us. They drove over from Erwin, TN, about an hour’s drive away. They seem very happy to be living in the Appalachian Mountains having been here since August of this year. I have known them since 1976 when Leah and I used to play music with some young hippies from Evergreen, AL. Lonny was one of them and Amanda was his girl even back then.

I cleaned out the camper to get it ready for a night’s sleep and tripped the breaker on the pole, being too greedy with the power, running a couple of lamps and an electric heater simultaneously. It was after hours, the host was nowhere to be found, and we couldn’t find the breaker box. It was not on the same pole where we were plugged in. Dang.

It’s at least 4o degrees or colder. I just had a hot shower at the very basic and rustic bath house here. The water was plenty warm and felt mighty good, but once the water was off - that cold draft blew all over me.

The sinks are set up in a row out in the open air. I brushed my teeth in record time, and took a brisk walk back to the campsite. Madeline was ready to get in bed in the back of the van; she hopped right in as soon as I opened the hatch.

I took refuge inside the pop-up. The heat that had accumulated before the breaker blew had obviously escaped through the canvas and it was cold as a mo-fo in there. I assembled my pajama outfit for the night. Silk long johns, flannel pajama top, and two socks on each foot. I topped off the ensemble with a knit cap.

Sissy camper? You bet.

My little bed (each side of the camper has its own single bed mattress) was ready for my plunging in - an unzipped sleeping bag under me and two over me. I piled in with a good book and a battery-operated lantern. As soon as I hunkered down and got warm and comfortable, I realized I had to pee.