Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dad's out there. Garrett had a ball making Tim's Fathers Day gift!! He's been pretending lately to be a monster so this seemed fitting, LOL :) Plus he added his own signature at the bottom.
The campground we were planning on moving to in Rhode Island has been giving us some grief (I know we aren't even there yet), they keep asking for more money as a deposit. Initially and even on their website the deposit is $75 to reserve. We put down the $75 thinking all was good, but then we received a call and they were wanting us to put down $500 more dollars. We said absolutely not, no RV park has ever made us put down a deposit like that. They asked if we could put down any extra and we were willing to put down an extra $100. So we now had a deposit for $175 down. Tim had been talking to several people and we were reading some of the reviews online and just wasn't getting a warm fuzzy about this place. So we started reviewing others and found a place about 15 minutes further out in Connecticut that we called and they did have monthly spaces available. So today we drove out to that campground. Our drive to get there was very pretty. Tim said that the area reminded him of living in New York State.
The campground is called Countryside RV Park and it is located in Griswold, CT. We pulled in and wow, so far so good. Tim headed into the office while Garrett, Bailey and myself stayed in the truck. He spoke with the owners who were super nice and they gave us 4 spots to go check out that we could reserve for the dates we needed. The office area looks really nice they have rocking chairs all around for you to sit on and the campground is gated for security which makes us feel a lot safer!!
The sites that were open that we went to look at were sites 3, 61, 89A and 94. Here is a map of the campground so you can get a good feel for what it looks like.
We come through the gate and made a right turn where site 2 was. The first thing we see was the Swimming Pond. Wow!! Really nice. Garrett is going to enjoy this and it will be a different experience for him than swimming in a pool all the time!! The swimming area is roped off so you know where you can go and it seemed very clean. However, because site 3 was so close to the pond, that site is definitely going to be a no go for us. So site 3 is out......
We made our way around the campground and headed over to the Fishing Pond to check that out. So as we are driving up to it, it looks like two swans are swimming. I thought how cool so I took a picture. Yeah, umm no they are plastic. Well now I feel like a dummy!! Tim got a good laugh out of it though. This pond is really nice and big. Bailey is going to have a great time swimming in this! It looked pretty clean for the most part as well. One of the better fishing ponds!!
Continuing on, the campsites are really big and spacious!! The roads are also a lot more level so Garrett will have an easier time for riding his bike.
We drive past site 61 and there is another RV parked on it now but they will be moved. Wow, this site is REALLY nice!! It is backed up against the National Forest, and we have no neighbors on the other side of us. Score, I think we may have found a winner. But we still have 2 other sites to check out so onward we go......Site 94 and 89A were both a lot smaller than site 61 and we would have neigbors all around us. We like the fact that we only have 1 person on the side of us and woods behind us. So back up to the office we go.
This time we all get out of the car and the owner Jim comes out to greet us and has a heyday with Garrett. You can tell he really enjoys kids. Yep, I think this is definitely the place for us!! He asks Tim which spot and we said 61, he said he had a feeling that was going to be the one we chose. So while they were talking Garrett and I headed over to the playground. OMG, this place is awesome!! They had built 3 different buildings for the kids with different things inside one was a dollhouse with a play kitchen, and play Dr's office, one was a jailhouse, and one was a schoolhouse. They had a sandbox with all kinds of tonka trucks, several slides and swings. Garrett was in Heaven!! So was I because the playground is fenced, I can sit on the outside of it while he plays in the sandbox in the shade and sit under a shade tree myself. They also have chairs set up so you can do just that!! Wow, now I am really impressed and thankful that we decided to look in CT as well.
We headed back into the office to let his wife know that we wanted that sight. I think we are going to be very happy at this campground!! We were told that site has a lot of deer that come right up to it because of the forest behind us. After coming home and doing some research we found out that they also have bear, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, fox and occasionally moose. So we are going to have to be very mindful of Bailey and Garrett while we are there. We've gotten used to being at a commercialized campground and not really having to worry about those things.
Well now that is done we are heading to the beach. They have an area here in CT where dogs can swim all day as well. Our drive there was very pretty!!
This time we all get out of the car and the owner Jim comes out to greet us and has a heyday with Garrett. You can tell he really enjoys kids. Yep, I think this is definitely the place for us!! He asks Tim which spot and we said 61, he said he had a feeling that was going to be the one we chose. So while they were talking Garrett and I headed over to the playground. OMG, this place is awesome!! They had built 3 different buildings for the kids with different things inside one was a dollhouse with a play kitchen, and play Dr's office, one was a jailhouse, and one was a schoolhouse. They had a sandbox with all kinds of tonka trucks, several slides and swings. Garrett was in Heaven!! So was I because the playground is fenced, I can sit on the outside of it while he plays in the sandbox in the shade and sit under a shade tree myself. They also have chairs set up so you can do just that!! Wow, now I am really impressed and thankful that we decided to look in CT as well.
We headed back into the office to let his wife know that we wanted that sight. I think we are going to be very happy at this campground!! We were told that site has a lot of deer that come right up to it because of the forest behind us. After coming home and doing some research we found out that they also have bear, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, fox and occasionally moose. So we are going to have to be very mindful of Bailey and Garrett while we are there. We've gotten used to being at a commercialized campground and not really having to worry about those things.
Well now that is done we are heading to the beach. They have an area here in CT where dogs can swim all day as well. Our drive there was very pretty!!
Yeah we finally made it to the beach!! Of course Bailey was so excited because she could smell it about a mile out. She couldn't wait to get in that water. So while Garrett and I changed (thank you for having showers and changing area) Tim took Bailey out to play in the ocean!!
Garrett and I finished up and headed in. Ugh, this water was gross!! So mucky and you couldn't even see what was in the water. Not liking this much and Bailey kept sinking in and couldn't move her feet. Tim actually had to lift her out because she couldn't make it on her own. With her hips so bad she just couldn't move her legs. I felt so bad for her and Garrett because I knew how much they both wanted to swim. But with the water like this there is no way we can let them play. Bailey can't move and Garrett keeps sinking, ugh!! We got them out and on the beach and she was so tired and sore that she just plopped down and played with her ball. Poor dog!!
Garrett and I finished up and headed in. Ugh, this water was gross!! So mucky and you couldn't even see what was in the water. Not liking this much and Bailey kept sinking in and couldn't move her feet. Tim actually had to lift her out because she couldn't make it on her own. With her hips so bad she just couldn't move her legs. I felt so bad for her and Garrett because I knew how much they both wanted to swim. But with the water like this there is no way we can let them play. Bailey can't move and Garrett keeps sinking, ugh!! We got them out and on the beach and she was so tired and sore that she just plopped down and played with her ball. Poor dog!!
Bailey finally got up for a little bit to play with her ball!!
Tim and Garrett headed out to see if all of the area was as murky as what was in front of us.
Bailey was not happy and was crying watching them walk away from her.
They made it back and unfortunately all of the water around here was like that. So no more going back in the Ocean for either one of these kids.....Garrett was enjoying playing in the sand and Bailey had her ball so I think they were both pretty happy.
A cool shell Tim found in the Ocean!!
We brought a Frisbee not sure how Garrett would do with it. Well he did great!! He loved playing with Tim!!
Of course Bailey and I were just enjoying ourselves sitting on the beach.
At this beach they had quite a few Volleyball games going on. Garrett of course was enthralled in watching them and when one of the nets came open he wanted to go over and play with the volleyball on the ground. Guess we know what the priorities are for the beach now. Make sure we bring a ball and a frisbee. After he got those items out he could of cared less about playing in the sand ;)
One last family photo before we head out for Dinner!!
Hmmm, what should we eat in Connecticut?? Lobster of course!! I know we just can't help ourselves. It's just that we don't get Lobster this good anywhere else and while we are here we are definitely taking advantage!! We looked up reviews on Yelp and decided on eating at Abbott's Lobster in the Rough. 4 out of 5 stars should mean that it is a decent place to eat.
We pulled up and holy crow, were they busy!! We actually had a guy showing everyone where to park. Taking a picture in front of the building so I remember the name :)
We pulled up and holy crow, were they busy!! We actually had a guy showing everyone where to park. Taking a picture in front of the building so I remember the name :)
Heading towards the line and showing Garrett the Lobster pots they use to catch them. This restaurant you actually place your order in line and then you can either sit outside or inside. When your dinner is ready they call your number and you go up to the counter to pick up. Really neat way of doing it if you ask me!!
Lots of different things to look at along the way!! Garrett of course was to busy talking to everyone around him. My little people person for sure!!
We placed our order and headed outside because that is where we wanted to eat. Score!! We got a table right by the water. This is our view, amazing!! We enjoyed watching the boats go by while we waited on our food. The downside, being on the water when it is getting darker out means it gets cold quick. Brrrr.......
Enjoying our dinner on the water :) Tim got a fishermans special that had several different things and Garrett got Macaroni and Cheese. Seemed like both of them were enjoying their meals :)
I have to be honest here, the food wasn't that great :( Definitely not a place we would come back to. The view on the other hand was amazing!! Driving home our two kids in the back seat were all tuckered out. About 2 seconds after I snapped this photo Garrett was out!!
We called Tim's Dad in Phoenix, AZ to wish him a Happy Father's Day and we hope all of you Dad's out there had a great day as well!!