Camping With Grandpa, 1996
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| High Falls, A perfect place for Camper Special! discovermuskoka.ca |
This was the first full season of camping with my grandfather in the truck camper. I travelled to various camp grounds in central Ontario and Leweston, NY. During this summer adventure, I started to obsess about name tags after staying at a KOA Kampground.
Canada Day Weekend, Return to Gravenhurst KOA Kampground
On the first long weekend of summer, I got to return to the Gravenhurst KOA Kampground for a few days before my brother heads off to Cadet Camp at Blackdown. During my stay, I liked playing on the swings since they are quite unique. The Swingsets were custom built out of 20 foot poles instead of poles. The swings were attached to the cross beam at one point and you can spin 360 degrees in mid air. In the evenings, there were activities including Bingo and movies in the barn. I remember watching The Wizard of Oz on the Big TV.
Parry Sound KOA Kampground
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| Perry Sound KOA Office and Store |
This weekend was just me and Grandpa, My brother went to BACSTC Blackdown for 3 weeks to take Basic Band. I had the top bunk to myself for this trip. Parry Sound KOA did not have as much to do there. I found something to do there. I walked the nature trails, jumped on the trampoline, and played on the swings. During my stay at Perry Sound. I took a road trip into Perry Sound and climbed the fire tower.
Islandview Trailer Park and Balsam Lake Provincial Park
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| Islandview Trailer Park, Coboconk Chamber of Commerce |
It was the second weekend without my brother, this time we took the truck camper east. The destination was Kwartha Lakes and stayed in two different camp grounds. The first campground we picked was Islandview Trailer Park. Islandview is a small trailer park south of Coboconk, Ontario. This was the smallest campgrounds I stayed at. There was not much to do besides play on the swings or talk to the staff. The Facilities included a playground and a small rec hall with two video games and a broken pinball machine.
I agreed with my grandfather and said that Islandview Trailer park had very little to do. We decided to move the camper to Balsam Lake Provincial Park for a night. This stay I remember going to a store on the park's edge. This store had a few video games including a unique Breakout/Arkanoid game.
Labour Day Weekend at Gravenhurst KOA Kampground
As School was coming around the corner, it was time for one more trip to Gravenhurst KOA. This KOA trip included the usual excursion to High Falls for Camper Special and a road trip to Dorset, Ontario. I remember climbing the Dorset Lookout Tower and visiting the General Store. One evening I attended a Karaoke for the first time on the Big TV in the Iconic Barn.
Niagara Falls North KOA Kampground
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| An End of Summer Trip to Niagara Falls North, Niagarafallsusa.com |
To wrap up the summer, we decided to take the truck camper to the USA. This was exciting since It was the first time taking the camper over the border. Before making our way to camp, we went window shopping at Wal-Mart, K Mart, Hills, and Tops Friendly Market. The campground was tree covered and plenty of shade. The amenities included a playground, where I spent a lot of time during my stay.
Selling The Camper, Buying a Name Tag at the Flea Market
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| A Name Tag Engraver, with computer. Similar to the one at the 400 Market |
We realized that having a truck camper was too much work loading it on and off the truck after each trip. In October, 1996 My grandfather attempted to sell the camper in an auction at the 400 Flea Market. I got to spend an entire day walking the 400 Flea Market and stumbled upon an engraving vendor in a booth in the northwest corner of the market. I talked to the guy in the booth and asked to have a name tag with my name engraved. He offered to make two tags for 5 Bucks! One name tag was orange and white and the second was red and white.
With no success, the truck camper did not sell at the 400 Flea Market Fall Auction, my grandfather attempted to sell the camper at Pollard's Auction Barn. To no avail, the camper did not sell. My grandfather listed the camper on the Auto Trader and than it sold.
Conclusion
1996 was a great summer of camping at several campgrounds. One campground was a dud, and the rest were great. I loved Gravenhurst KOA the best because it had an amazing swing set, the barn had a variety of video games, and having Camper Special at High Falls. One memory is going for an early morning ride in the camper's top bunk to High Falls.
Page Index
Camping With Grandpa, Getting the Camper
Camping With Grandpa, 1997, The Terry Trailer Year
Return to Phil's Adventures and Holidays
Photo References
Gravograph VXM, https://inkoovintagecomputing.wordpress.com/2018/01/31/gravograph-vxm/
High Falls, Discover Muskoka, https://www.discovermuskoka.ca/listings/high-falls-and-little-high-falls-216/
Islandview Trailer Park Sign, Coboconk Norland Chamber of Commerce, https://www.coboconknorland.ca/directory/islandview-trailer-park
Niagara Falls North KOA Kampground photo, https://www.niagarafallsusa.com/directory/niagara-falls-north-lewiston-koa/
Parry Sound KOA Office and Store, Trip Advisor, https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g181742-d5040370-Reviews-Parry_Sound_KOA-Parry_Sound_Northeastern_Ontario_Ontario.html
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