On my desk, I have a clock that is basically for counting down to a specific date and time. I could probably use it for a number of events or schedules throughout the year, but it's only used for one reason.

That reason is, for me, the most wonderful day of the year - May 1st. And this year, it's more needed than ever. On that day, the campground where my travel trailer sits, opens up for the season.

I have been counting down to this day since November 1st of last year. It's been a hellish winter season. I hate cold weather, snow, ice and, well, basically anything to do with winter.

Many years ago, I decided to try camping, and was immediately hooked. I suppose the term 'camping' is a bit off, since my travel trailer basically has all the comforts of home, along with the monthly payments to the bank.

Since I began camping, my time off is mostly spent at the campground. It's situated in the middle of the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania, far from the noise of my city neighborhood, and that's the beauty of it, not to mention the friends I've made, who hail from the Southern Tier of New York, Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania, plus the snowbirds who come back for summer from Florida, California, Texas and Arizona, among other states.

Back to the date - May 1st, I load up my van with all the stuff I took home along with crap I bought over the off-season, and setup the campsite up for the next 5 to 6 months of weekend and vacation bliss.

The anticipation is probably more exciting than the actual work of hooking things up along with getting everything turned on and in its place. You know, it's like the saying - "It's the journey, not the destination" that we really enjoy the most.

Regardless, it's time to pull out the lawn chair, grab a cold one or two and gaze over the vastness of the Endless Mountains once again.

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