15 Sep - Goodbye Antigo WI, Hello Yogi Bear Campground Caledonia WI

15 Sep

Campgrounds #27 and #28 are just a few miles apart.

Today we said goodbye to one of the nicest small city campgrounds we have stayed.  The Antigo WI City Campground far exceeded our expectations and given the opportunity we will surely stay here again.

We departed this morning about 0811 hrs and headed for the Yogi Bear Campground near Caledonia WI.  We do not normally stay are campgrounds like Yogi Bear because we do not use the amenities they offer and you pay for!  But this one is different because it is the campground our daughter Michelle and her family camps, not far from their house.  It also works out good for them because their kids, Joe and Jon, can still participate in sports and then come back out to the campground when done.

The drive to Yogi Bear was uneventful but took us through Milwaukee, so dragging the RV through the city traffic will keep you on your toes.  We arrive about 1228 hrs after 4:17 drive time with one stop and 209 miles.  We got checked in right away but had to pay a $10 early check-in fee because we arrived before 1600 hrs.  To avoid the crowds it was $10 well spent.

We got the RV set up quickly and after school was done for the day Michelle arrived with the grandkids.  It was great to see them as we have not seen them since we left Michelle's house after her hip surgery the first week in May.  

Joe is growing like a weed and is now taller than Nana!

 Michelle and Keith buy "the fall camping package" which allows them to set their RV up here and leave it throughout the week, camping on the weekends.  The campground closes in October as they have to winterize the water system, etc before it freezes.  So several September camping weekends involve a Halloween theme.  Throughout the campground most campers elaborately decorate their campsites and the kids and most adults dress up in costume.  More about that later.

This weekend is also parents weekend for the group that camps with Michelle and Keith.  It worked out that our trip brought us near here this weekend so when I built our trip we planned on being here for their celebration, and then moving to Racine for a few days so as to be able to spend a little more time with Michelle and family.  Many of the parents also have RV's so they had quite a group camping here.  Plus the campgrounds has cabins you can rent so those who don't have RV's can still participate.  As we walked over to their campsite where they were all camping, the smell of a smoker got the taste buds going!!  It just does not get any better!  They smoked pork and then will finish it off in a roaster tomorrow.  More tomorrow about the food and Halloween events.

Man, what an aroma!!

A beautiful crust of smoked meat is forming.

 So tonight we all gathered around the campfire and the celebration began!  There were many questions about our trip this summer.  It was great to talk with everyone and enjoy a few cold beers too!!