[royster]

As I said earlier, Camp Royster IS a real place. I started it as a base for some major road-work I'm conducting here on the 14 acres where I live. The tents and tables were to accomodate equipment protection and worker comforts...a place to cook and eat, rest and enjoy a breather. I kept an ice chest full of sodas in real bottles for all visitors. My heavy equipment operator, Randy, has five grandchildren that were welcome to come and play in the creek. We had some cook outs there, a pizza party once, and this photo was snapped after I gave them "hay rides" behind the riding mower, in the green cart. The delivery driver for Lowe's LOVED making deliveries here because after he off-loaded my order, he could grab an ice-cold Coke and chat in the early morning sun, the campfire smoke wafting lazily through the trees.

We kept adding stuff...including a hummingbird feeder...and whenever I got an idea for a silly sign, I made it and put it up. Many of the signs are not posted on the forums...one said "Wild animals MUST be accompanied by their wives". All visitors loved the signs, and it set the pace for a light-hearted atmosphere to work in.

Floods and weather stopped all operations out there, and a sad death sort of took the wind out of our sails: the gravel deliver man, Dukie, died suddenly shortly after the 6th load of gravel.

It's my hope that Pavlina members can have some fun with this thread. I certainly have enjoyed it so far...and my sincere thanks to those who have already participaterd. ~Roy

[below: Dukie after one of his deliveries. He was highly respected in the Shenandoah Valley, and is sorely missed by us all.]