Epic RV Trip -- WV, MD

**FRI 6/7  BIG DRIVE DAY 407 miles, 3 more states -->VA-->WV/MD
Showers for everyone this morning since the next place doesn't have sewer hookups.  It rained a bit while packing up.  We loaded bikes while it was just sprinkling.  Chris dumped and unplugged us with Addisyn's zebra print umbrella in one hand.  Then it started pouring so we drove to the dumpster and I jumped out trash bag in one hand, umbrella in the other, over the puddle, and then we were on our way... into South Carolina, on the highway, and back through North Carolina again. 

Chris drove in the rain through traffic.  I used paper towels to mop up the water leaking in from the front corner of the slide.
 
Around noon we had to stop to let Chris make a client phone call without distractions.  There were no indoor playgrounds in the right vicinity, and it was still wet outside, so I found a Walmart to park.  I thought about taking 1-2 kids in with me into the store to look for room darkening curtains for P&M bunk beds, but the kids couldn't agree who would go with me and who would stay in the MH with daddy, and it wasn't worth it to me to argue or listen to whining, so we all just stayed inside -- with strict orders to stay quiet.  The kids all plugged into their schoolwork on Chromebooks for a while.  I got to finish another blog post with the peacefulness inside.  But it only lasted so long... and the rain lightened up to a sprinkle so the kids all went outside.  We are counting line tag in the Walmart parking lot our PE for the day. *ha!  Then Chris put the slide out and back in to see if that helps with the leak--the tarp over the slide had folded and collected water, and it seemed better afterward.

The kids wasted no time finding the KOA playground!

**SAT 6/8  Jr. Rangers learn about Canals and Locks
The girls were Junior Rangers again today, learning about how boats avoid waterfalls in rivers.  I wish we could have gotten the experience of a mule tow boat ride through the lock, but that wasn't an option.  We did enjoy our beautiful bike ride on the tow path down to the lock.  We saw how big the handles are on the lock gates, strong enough to hold back tons of water yet light enough for men to push it manually.  We learned it takes 10 minutes to get a boat in, re-leveled, and out through a lock, and a mule is a cross between a male donkey and a female horse.  The aqueduct was under construction (renovation) so we didn't get a great look at it, but still fascinating to make a bridge for boats!

Back at camp, we made time for swimming, giant checkers, and saying hello to the chickens who laid the eggs we bought at the camp store this morning.  Marissa followed through on her promise to bring glow sticks to the playground tonight for her new friends.  The KOA had a a movie on the patio tonight so the kids watched much of Mary Poppins 2.  Chris & Karen had some peace and quiet mid-afternoon--it was nice to be able to sit and chit chat without interruption.

Evening fireflies!  They are easier to catch than we expected.

Campfires & S'mores when we stay in one place for more than a few days.

For school this this week, Marissa's assignment was to use her writing to solve a problem,  so this morning she made a sign and posted it in the middle of the MH to remind us to be pleasant, complete with a graphic with an X over someone being whiney.  Her teacher loved it, and we were able to reference it this afternoon when her sisters were "disagreeable" with each other.  Addisyn and Piper got to pick their consequence and rather than toys taken away or time out, they hugged (quality and minimum time enforced).  It actually seemed to solve the problem!

Exit sign: why isn't the wife in car check marked!?