MetalDad

There's also something to be said abut having them every night. You get to a place where... eh, no big deal. Ben had the right idea, sat by the fire with no funky fumes, just the snap, crackle, pop of a Fort-ranger-approved fire pit! They had a CM stationed at the service entrance/opening in the 300 loop to keep people from sneaking around the back or watching them from the "TCD spot". They should do a simultaneous show and blow off some works on Disco Island. It would be safe, and all the Lake/Lagoon resorts could see it. Like 3-D or theater in the round, but with fire! Maybe next year we br

Day One Continued: Music: Soft Rock Beard Drink: 400 Pound Monkey, Terrapin Rye, and TE Coffee Smell: Wet Mulch and Cart exhaust Set-up was complete! As I mentioned, we were in 1517. Backed right up to the canal! This shot is from behind the site. I was stood where 30-40 years ago, the tracks of the FWRR would have lied beneath my flip-flopped feet. We stayed in this site before, in 2010. A quick dash to the Comfort Station: See that little thing by the arrow? Urban tagging of sorts, more on that later! Who hasn’t seen this? We’ve got neighbors! Family of Bears is Brandy, Rick, and Bella.

I meant I made my own sampler pack, not made my own beer. There's two things I love that I won't try to make myself... Beer and Sushi. Beer, because I'm not that patient, and Sushi...well, for obvious reasons.

Sounds like a Total Wine first day run to be sure. So far I like most of their stuff, even the Elder Betty and Circus Boy, they have one fall brew I'm not crazy about, IPA On Tour, ultra-hoppy, tastes like shampoo. The moustache dug it though! Looking for a Left Hand Brewing sampler. I made my own...more on that later!

I read that to my wife, she cracked up! I do a lot of questionably dumb stuff, so she knows that we're usually inches away from the ER at almost any given time! Welcome back! Looking forward to hearing about the cruise! Ben's photo is in the next update! That's his name, Chris... Now if he could just find a hat that fit him properly! He's a great welcome committee! I always loved that episode. It was a 2-3 parter. Most people only remember them camping at the floor of the Canyon and the Indians, and forget about Jim Backus and the ghost town part. They had a cool vintage PUP, and there's a ph

Yes, you did pack all that extra stuff that I failed to mention. There was some degree of superfluous (read: a lot!) 11 different fishing poles... You should stick with the Barbie and Spiderman poles, they catch all the fish! And, a castnet? at the Fort? why not dynamite or lazers...really hedge your bets! Honestly I love that you got my kids into fishing. My attention span is too short! Yes, I do sit in your chairs. Because mine are always covered in your 79 different wet Gators towels! I'm not even getting into the microwave discussion. I have a gas cooktop and a Paul Jr. grill. Food tastes

I love me some Paul & Wings...I'm a true product of the 70's and that section of his catalog is really my favorite stuff. Yes, It seems everyone was out and about whence I snuck into my bunk...more on that in the TR! Magic Hat #9 might as well have a Coleman logo on it because it is vital camping gear! Thanks for reading along! Ben's easy to get along with. It's only taken me 22 years, but I finally get along with him! Don't forget the smell... It's the sights, sounds, and smells...a sensory recall of a camping trip by an electronic friend. Trying to be as thorough as possible. You kno

The Heineken is for when I get real thirsty, ice cold, fast, and crisp! Wife loves the ritas. There is a pretty good parade of beers on it's way...stay tuned

Day One: Music: Paul McCartney, Grateful Dead, and Steel Pulse Drink: Magic Hat #9, Heineken, and Hugs Smell: Tar, Horses, Canvas Arrival And so it begins… We arrive at the metaphorically pearly gates! ] A little bit of a wait, but no biggie! Ben’s already checked us in. Cool! We’re next! Met by the gatekeeper. A very nice gent with a shtick about putting the kids to work instead of enjoying “Disney stuff!”. I knew his name, but can’t for the life of me remember it. I take great comfort in the fact that he doesn’t remember me either! So now we’re in! We had to go way the heck to the very ba

Heck Yeah!

So, safe to assume you were able to dry out your phone after sending it through the spin cycle???

That's funny about the elevator music. Dee Snider from Twisted Sister once said that you know you've made it when you hear a marching band play your song. I find myself humming along to 70s/80s muzak when I'm on hold and realize that I've become my Dad! If he were a fiend he'd be BigBandDad. Bob, I wish I had more time to chat. I went by your site as well as frequent loops through 1700, schedules were just off. we'll meet again one of these days!

I've never actually seen one of those, except in old pictures, but then again, I've never seen a dragon or unicorn either, but I hear they're pretty scarce too!

That's what I'm talkin' about! Sorry I missed you!

Excellent. Enjoyed that one, thanks for sharing!

Yes, Ben's giant moustache will be along shortly! But, c'mon Stef. Granted, there's a ton of cheddar music. BUT....Some of the world's greatest music came out in the 80's. See! Dave finding his way into my corner with the metal! If it weren't for the 80's... You wouldn't have this guy... Morphing into this guy... Hence...Metal Dad!

Day One: Music: Tears For Fears, Duran Duran, Black Sabbath Drink: Diet Dr. Pepper Smell: McGriddles and That new dog smell! Final preparations. July 3. A trip to Walmart Neighborhood Market for a few last minute items, and off to Total Wine to stock the many fabled fridges and coolers of the MetalDad/BassMaster campsite. If you’ve read any of my posts, you know that I recently got my “big black truck”, and if you read the intro, you know I now have a “big black dog”. My 8yo son asks me to play “A National Acrobat” a song by Black Sabbath. So Annie, the 5yo reads the scrolling name on the radi

MetalWife said no!

She's very social, but as I mentioned, she didn't make the trip, she had an infection, was laid up at the vets for 6 days. Thanks. My youngest requested I now refer to her as MetalDaughter.

I'm digging this TR. Honestly, my favorite part is you racing alongside the parade! That's a detail that you'll talk about 5, 10, 15 years from now. And, I love that you use the word "super", a forgotten word in this world of awesome, amazing.... Thanks for sharing!

Thanks. We just thought, even with 3 kids, it was too quiet. We're very happy. I've also been enjoying your Poly TR! Excellent! Was great meeting you. I think my truck is in your film, as well as my voice yelling your name! We just bathed her and took her to town. I was hoping you'd join in! Welcome aboard! Next segment is almost done!

Wait until you see the beer section, we brought it to a fine art this time. We'll need to reconvene the fireside sample session whence you arrive at the Fort one of these days. Checkin' the calendar for Sept. Indeed, roll we will, in fact Publix French Hamburger Roll to be exact! That's perfect, made me laugh out loud. That's the first still shot I could get of her. She's curious but not hyper! Careful with that corn, squirrels in the 1500 are brazen. Thanks! Kids always want to ride shotgun, and we've always said no, now with the big truck it's abit safer, no air bag in the center, and th

You've obviously never looped with me in a Kenny cart. Whit knuckle to be sure! Thank you. She smells and sheds, but I love her anyway!

Cool. Early check-in. I like it. Yee-Haw indeed. This one was one for the books. And most people would say we didn't do much! We had a delay, technical difficulty with a photo of the Lego Death Star from DTD. Rest assured there's lotsa food Dave, and I remembered to take a photo just for you of all of it! And rocked some Bluegrass too! No, but the giant cheesy moustache will be prominently featured!

And once again, it is time to gather the troops and head off to the Fortress of Wilderness and celebrate our nation’s independence. Four (score) and one-half days of Forting around in what is surely our favorite camping destination, as evidenced by this tour diary by which you dear reader , will join us by sight, sound, and smell (a MetalDad TR sensory writing device). I mean, truthfully, you want to live vicariously through a trip report, it’s like spending someone else’s money. So, let us carry on…page 4 in your songbooks… To move forward, we must move back. As some of you may recall from t