We had heard this was one of the nicer Thousand Trails campgrounds and it is pretty nice. There is quite a bit of room between the sites. There is a beach and a boat dock and ramp for people wanting to go boating on the Piankatank River. Although the campground is called Chesapeake Bay, it actually backs up to the Piankatank River that empties into Chesapeake Bay. We walked around the campground and saw they have two nice pools (family and adult only), shuffleboard, miniature golf, and volleyball. The big lodge has a big dining hall, covered pavilion, adult lounge and spa. There is a nice store they call the Trading Post that seems to be well-stocked. They also have four very nice pickleball courts. Ken and Bonnie had told us about the pickleball courts and we were looking forward to playing while we are here.
After dinner, we walked along the beach area right about sunset.
We found some lounge chairs...
...and watched the sun set over the Piankatank River.
On Monday morning, we walked over to the pickleball courts around 8:30. Since no one was there yet, Chuck and I hit a few balls back and forth and started to play a game. A gentleman came up and was watching us and we asked if he wanted to join us. He said "sure" and that his wife would be there in just a few minutes. That is how we met Pete and Joyce who were originally from the Richmond area but now live in Port Orange. (And yes, they know all about Aunt Catfish's.)
Pete and Joyce have been playing pickleball for several years and play every chance they can get both here and back home in Port Orange. Several other campers began showing up and we played until about 11:30. And that's how it was every morning. Everyone that wanted to play pickleball started showing up around 8:30 to 9 and we would play until around 11:30. With the heat, we would all like to be able to play in the evening when it should be a little cooler but the lights on the courts don't work which is very disappointing for all the pickleball players.
We played with some very good pickleball players and even a couple of newbies. One of the best parts about pickleball is the new friends you meet: Jerry and Judy, Bobby and Carol, Wade and Tiffany, Buck, Bob, Pete, Ed, Mark and Charles. Ed and Mark picked up the game very quickly. Charles was a young teenager that everyone was trying to show how to play. He didn't seem to mind at all playing with us "old folks." Everyone was so good about teaching and showing the newbies how to play pickleball. I'm still learning and several of them gave me some good tips that I'm going to try to remember. And more importantly, put into practice!
It seems like our time here at Chesapeake Bay has flown by. We may have to come back to Chesapeake again and stay a little longer!
Tomorrow morning we head north again to Hershey, PA. Ken and Bonnie -- here we come!!
Hallelujah! We are ready and excited.
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