Following the sick Ram

 September 9, 2025

Birchwood RV Resort and Campground site 2

Cadillac, Michigan

The first words out of Dad's mouth when we arrived at our new digs was, "This is a resort?"  We have definitely stayed at so called resorts that were in worse shape, but we have also experience true resorts.  This campground is old and full of seasonal or more likely permanent campers.  The interior roads are on the narrow side and the sites are dirt with a smattering of gravel.  Pam's site does have a cement patio but our site has no paved patio and 'not well groomed' grass. 

Makes one question who wrote the review that stated that this was one of the best campgrounds he had stayed at after camping in 48 different states.  Was it a very old review from a time when this 'resort' was in its prime or just someone with unique tastes?

We hitched up to Pam's rig first this morning and arrived at her site...a back in on the blind side set up.  A gentleman appeared as Momma was guiding Dad into the site and Momma's immediate thoughts were that he was a neighbor making sure that Dad didn't get close enough to 'rub' on his vehicles.  The man didn't say a word or depart when the rig was on the site so Momma assumed it was a neighbor checking things out.  She said hello and asked which rig was his.  He responded that he owned a Bounder that was on a site  down the street.  Hmmm....nosey nearby, but not too close, neighbor??  Then he said, I'm the only one that is any help to Pat.

Pat is the campground owner.  She had shared while we were checking in that her husband of 45 years had passed four years prior.  "It's hard without him."

Well, all the pieces fell into place when Momma read the campground brochure.  The man was Anthony who has the title of Park Manager.  It would have been helpful in explaining his behavior if he had introduced himself.   It was apparent he took his responsibilities seriously when he later spoke with the neighbor who actually put the fire rig trash in a trash bag and made a small effort to make his campsite 'clutter' a bit more presentable.  

Momma and Dad left Pam to finish getting settled on her site and returned to me.  It was time to hitch up our rig and relocate.  It certainly is a good thing Dad is a proficient 'backer', getting us settled on our site with tight maneuvering.

The first thing Dad did upon arrival with Pam's rig was step into some dog pooh.  Top that off with the trash/garbage in the neighbor's fire ring off Pam's driver's side combined with the challenge of blind side parking in tight quarters and .....well...let's just say Dad's first impression was anything other than positive.  He even had to back up while at the park entrance while waiting for the gals who were in the office registering because there wasn't enough room for another vehicle to pass by as they were attempting to leave the park in their car.  Not a well laid out or roomy entrance/exit area.

But we are set up and here for at least a week.  Pam's truck arrived at the Dodge shop just before closing yesterday.  When she spoke to the service manager today, he told her that they planned to look at her truck tomorrow morning.  In other words, we still don't have any idea how long the repairs will take or what the problem is.  

And the suspense is building....

I'm Chloe