We wrapped up our time in North Carolina and reluctantly headed back to Atlanta. From cool nights with our windows open, we were going back to temps in the 90’s and dry. We’d have a very busy two-weeks of catching up with friends and family as well as many, many doctor appointments (ah, the joys of getting old!).
We decided to stay at the KOA in Cartersville again. It was a basic campground but we had liked it the last time we were in town. But, that changed big time during this visit. As noted previously, we had a lot of doctor appointments. One in particular was some minor surgery that Jill required to remove a skin cancer growth above her eye (a little more about that later). We got up at 5 in the morning so we could get to our 7 AM appointment, took several hours while they ensured they had removed all that was required, and finally got back to camp around 1 PM. About an hour later, we started hearing a bulldozer scraping the road next to our RV, followed by a steam roller, and next came a truck laying down tar. At this point, I went out to move our car which was only a foot from all this work.
After moving the car away from our site and potential damage from the rocks and tar, I went to one of the campground managers to see what was going on. My first question was, “Jay, what’s going on?”. The answer was “What do you think is going on?” Not really being in the mood for twenty questions, I replied “I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking” . Well, Jay didn’t seem happy to have to be answering questions so he indicated that this was “progress”. After more questioning, he finally informed me that some of the roads were getting paved. I tried to understand why they hadn’t given us a heads up but Jay indicated they had no warning and that I should just shut up and accept it. At that point, I was done with Jay and went into the campground office in order to cancel our planned visit in November (which we had already decided to do before this since the campground was too dusty, no grass, and farther out from Atlanta).
Jay followed me into the office and continued to harass me about complaining and at that point I reiterated that I was just looking for an apology for disturbing us or for at least not giving us a heads up of what was coming. Jay was not having it and called me names (belligerent, arrogant, etc.) and kept arguing with me while I waited for another customer to finish with Jay’s wife (Ann). When it was my turn, I indicated that I wanted to cancel our November visit. Ann advised me that she was refunding our money and that we were to leave immediately. When queried as to why I was being made to leave I was told that I was rude and complaining in front of a customer. Basically, they don’t like anyone to complain or disagree with them and if you crossed them, they were happy to kick you out. For those who remember Seinfeld, I felt I was dealing with the “Soup Nazi” – if you violate any of their unwritten rules, “No campsite for you!”
Thus, in less than an hour, we packed up our RV and headed out, happy to move to a better and more friendly campground closer to Atlanta, on Lake Allatoona. In a way, we felt we had gained a badge because we must not be having enough fun if we don’t get kicked out of a campground somewhere!
As a follow up, we complained to KOA Corporate (this was a franchised KOA Campground). They responded quickly, apologized, provided a $50 gift card and followed up directly with the campground.
As noted earlier, Jill had some minor surgery which we thought would be really minor. What we didn’t realize was that this would be very impactful giving how close it was to her eye lid. By the time we got to a restaurant after the procedure, Jill was having to assure the staff that no domestic violence was involved!
Looking good! 
Holy crap, who punched Jill?
The other big news was regarding the reconnection with our son Chris. For those who may not know the background, we adopted Chris when he was 6. We had some great times with him but also lots of challenges. When he turned 18, he went his own way and soon after we lost connection with him. A few weeks before we returned to Atlanta, Chris (now 32 years old) reached out to us. After many challenging years, he had settled down and gotten much more responsible. He is now managing a Papa Johns shop in Atlanta and working almost all the time. In addition, he’d been in a very steady relationship for several years and was now expecting identical twin girls!!! So, in the course of a few weeks we had gone from having few family to having a son, a daughter in law, and future grandparents (call us Lolli and Pop).
Back with Chris 
Chris and the expecting momma, Sarah
We’ll be heading back to Atlanta in November for a baby shower! In the mean time, heading west thru Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas and Louisiana! And we know that at least the first portion of the trip will be HOT!
