I hope some of you had a chance to take advantage of last weeks low tides. My wife, I and friends had a great time harvesting crabs and clams. An early wake up call from the local campground scavengers lead to the following twist of a popular Christmas ditty. I thought I would share it as I am sure many of you can relate. Now that summer has arrived get out there and enjoy the RV lifestyle and all the experiences that come with it, even the ones that keep you awake composing poems! Enjoy.
‘Twas the night after shell fishing, when all through the trailer
Not a thing was stirring, not even the heater;
The crabs were all cleaned and refrigerated with care,
In hopes that the cube of butter was also in there;
The dog and cat were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of table scraps danced in their heads;
And mamma in her pj‘s, and I a tired chap,
Had long settled down for a fine summer’s nap,
When out on the picnic table there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Pulled open the mini-blinds and threw up the sash.
The dawn of the sun of the new-fallen dew
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But six mangy crows eating a chicken bone, oh dear!
With a ring leader, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment I wouldn’t get forty more winks. More rapid than ants to sugar they came,
And I whistled, and shouted, and called them all names;
“Now, darn it you birds, go away or I fix ya!
I am going back to bed and I better not hear ya!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the RV top the cursed birds flew,
With a bunch of noise, and the chicken bone too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The dancing and pawing of each little goof.
As I drew in my head, and was laying back down,
I saw the TV antenna go up, down and around.
Now the cat was awoke and wondered what was afoot,
As she checked out the noises that were being made by crowfoot. Soon I was flat on my back,
Wishing I could fall asleep, back in the sack.
Their sounds weren’t very merry!
As I listened to their noise I became wary!
Obviously, a little more sleep was no go with the crow.
These birds were definitely becoming a foe
Standing no more I gave them a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard them exclaim, as they flew out of sight, good morning to all and no more sleep til tonight.
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
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