Leisure Lake

One of the biggest challenges in this dashing and bold adventure is finding a  place to make a temporary home. You can't park one of these big babies just anywhere. Well, not if you want to live comfortably for an extended period of time. You need to find something better than a Wal-Mart parking lot.

Can you believe, that in all of Chicagoland, we found only three options? One was affordable--a church camp. It had only 30 amp spaces to offer and we would have to move from space to space to space as different camps began and ended. Since hubby comes home exhausted and often works late into the night on paperwork, the thought of having to break camp and move over a few spaces once a week didn't excite us. And on hot days, when I want to run the AC and the microwave at the same time, 50 amp electrical hook-up comes in handy. There was no laundry facility on site either.

Our second and third and ONLY other options were pricey! Competitive in price with one another, but pricey. We picked the one that would place us about 45 miles instead of 60 miles from the area where hubby is working. (Can we say commute?)

Leisure Lake Membership Resort. Sounds all fancy and important doesn't it? Yes, well, you must be a member of one of a few exclusive clubs to stay here. I don't like to brag, but we have been card carrying Good Sam members for quite some time, so they welcomed us with open arms.

Okay you can stop laughing now. Don't worry, I've not started hobnobbing with the rich and famous. But it just goes to show that an important sounding name doesn't always mean a whole lot.

When we arrived, and after we presented our membership card, the lady in the office was cordial and efficient in assigning us a space. She asked how long we planned to stay. Oh how many times have we been asked that question? And how many times have we tried to explain that we don't have ANY idea, and WHY we don't have any idea! This lady, like most campground managers, listened to our rambling explanation with a noncomprehending blank stare, then asked again, "And so how long will you be here?"  Sheesh!

They always want to know because for some reason the length of your stay has something to do with which site they give you. "I want to put you in a spot where you can be happy," she said.

I had the urge to tell her, Lady, you don't even know me or anything about me. What makes you think you know what will make me happy? (I was road-weary.) But y'all can be so proud of me. I held my tongue.

Unlike the resort where we stayed in Ohio, this place does have the amenities to justify calling itself a resort. Most of these amenities are showing some age, use, and abuse, but there are plenty of things here to keep a body entertained. Tennis courts, volleyball nets, horseshoe pits,

a swimming hole with a man made beach,

a swimming pool with plenty of sunning chairs,

a club house that reeks of stale cigarette smoke,

and a lake in which you can row a boat or take a paddle boat ride...

and catch fish or two.

There is even a mini golf course that we can play...for FREE!

I'm feeling sorry for this little squirrel. I can't decide if a frustrated golfer attacked him with a putter, or if he ate one too many golf balls and had some bad indigestion!

No matter how much leisure there is at a resort, there are always a few things that keep life...well...you know...DASHING AND BOLD.

Like the laundry facility. There are three washers and two dryers to service a campground that has way over 200 camping sites. And these machines are 20 years old if they are a day! I have to walk about 450 paces, uphill both ways, toting heavy bags of clothes...there is no AC...
No, I'm not complaining...I'm just saying...

Then there is the issue of electricity. We pay an extra dollar per day to have 50 amp service, yet most of the time our voltage meter looks like this. And worse.

I'm no expert on elctrical power. In fact, I really don't understand anything about it except flip a switch and lights come on, but I DO know that little needles should be in the green. When it isn't, the air conditioner, microwave, and various other appliances do not run at full power.

On the far side of the park is a big corn field

and the lake has plenty of cattails. There is no shortage of allergens even in Chicagoland.

On our side of the resort, opposite the cornfield, is a very busy, very noisy freeway. A nice row of trees block it from view, but if I get too bored, I can count trucks as they roar by.

I know you've been wondering about the space we were assigned. You know, the one that the lady thought would make us happy.
Have you ever arrived at church late on Easter Sunday and had to sit in the "overflow" section? Yeah, our site is comparable. But it's okay...not much activity in the overflow section and the neighbors aren't too close. But, like from the church overflow pew, the view isn't the best. While many of the sites have a nice view of the lake, we see the RV storage lot out our big window.

A little leisure, a few challenges--it's all good. You want to know why? It's because I am happy, and this resort and our assigned site has NOTHING to do with it.

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10-13.