First Time Trip Report from a Long Timer, Base Camp - Treehouse

[mmtripoli@earthlink.net]

Saturday I managed to get up late (well, 8 am) and miss my walk with the Aunties. Disappointing but I blame it on the jello shots. Since I am generally a non-drinker, even something as benign as 5-6 jello shots can cause a wicked head-ache. NOW I remember why I am a non-drinker. This day is somewhat blurry but I do remember having a porch full of people for lunch and ordering a bunch of lobsters and other food. All around a perfect day – minus the headache.


One of the best parts of our trip was having Kia the dog be our porch mascot (see picture) every day. After the first day (Thursday) they visited, she sensed (via the leftover Doc’s chicken) that we loved her and she was always welcome. Steve and her would stop every day and visit us while they were on their beach walk- apparently she insisted on it (see note about Doc’s chicken). She is one smart dog and quite the Ambassador. Everyone would stop by and see her every day she visited. She’s irresistible. It made us dog owners feel a little bit guilty about cheating on our dogs back at home, but again, she IS irresistible. We teased her owner Steve about how he was just the avenue of transportation for the true star. You should see her riding on his motorbike! That is one cool cocker spaniel/Dachshund mix.


Tonight was the Guest Appreciation Party in the lobby and they had drinks, appetizers and a band. It looked like a lot of new people had checked in. The lobby was completely full. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food and the punch was very potent (I was told.) We only stayed for a short time but the band played for a while and we even enjoyed it more from our own perches on the porch until it was time to go to dinner. That evening we headed over to the German Bar for dinner. The sausages with sauerkraut and the pizza were delicious. Also, the side of fried potatoes that they serve were so simple but yet so yummy. Reminded us of the pan fried potatoes we had as kids. Friendly service along with a reasonable wait time for our food made for a good dinner all around.

Later that evening we ended up having quite a crowd on the porch and it ended up part dance party, part comedy club again. Too funny for words. I believe this is the night that TogaNY came by and introduced himself and said hello. I just had to give him a shout out because he has the most incredible family. I had a chance to talk to his wife at the pool and she is as young looking in real life as in the pictures on his TR (someone commented on how it was hard to tell the teens from the mom!) We had an “all teen boys ARE the same” moment about our kids at the pool that left me grinning. I really enjoyed watching all of them having a lovely time all week. What great parents with great kids. Tonight I was extra careful to not stay up too late in order to not repeat my laziness from this morning, I was fast asleep by midnight.