Something happened with the file I sent for this write-up in the newsletter. It's the only file I have, so I don't know what happened. When I looked at my email that I sent, the write-up was not complete. The one I thought I sent was this one:
VWs on the Island, June 2-4, 2006
There is no better camping than camping by a creek of cool, refreshing water. The only thing better than that is camping and being surrounded by Buses, Beetles, and Things (Oh my!). This is the setting for VWs on the Island, an AVWA sponsored campout at River John’s Island, just off the beaten path between Maryville and Seymour, TN in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Volks Folks in attendance included my family and I, Kevin Wilson, Anthony Henderson, and Brian and Amanda Dempsey.
We went up to this weekend campout a day early to enjoy the island before the rest of the crowd showed up. We picked the spot we wanted, and after setting up camp, we fixed a little supper and then waited for the next morning when the VWs would start coming in.
The island is surrounded by water from the Little River, flowing enough for tubing, rafting, and swimming from both shores. The campers filled the island with campsites of Buses, Beetles, tents, small RVs, and even a Squareback. One of the campsites, situated at the upper tip of the island, even brought an orange couch which faced the river where it split around the island. It was very cool to sit in it and watch and listen to the water.
Most of the weekend was spent fishing, swimming, tubing, and just hanging out and visiting with old friends as well as new ones. Laid back is not a mellow enough phrase to describe the general atmosphere of the island and the campout. The cool water combined with no agenda or schedule to follow just left us with a feeling of freedom that can only come from complete relaxation.
If you are not doing anything around the first weekend in June next year, you ought to consider giving this campout a try. I know that my family enjoys it and I’m sure all the others who attended share our opinion as well. It’s just plain fun.
Travis Barefoot
