CAMPGROUND REVIEW - Bayshore County Park in Brown County Wisconsin (and Steve's Dad)

We decided that we wanted to be closer to Green Bay to help out with Steve's family during this time of need. We chose Bayshore County Park, which is close to Green Bay. It is part of the Brown County Parks System. On the waters of Green Bay just South of  Dykesville on highway 57.

Half of the sites in this park are first come first serve. Half are reservable. It is a wonderful way to run a county park. At least the average camper travelling past has a chance of getting in! The parks that allow themselves to be reserved completely full never give spontaneous or traveling campers a chance to get in. I understand the logistics of having a full park means more money. Having the option for first come first serve at least on some of the sites makes it fair for everyone. Enough of that.

So we loaded up early in the morning, and headed out to find one of their empty sites. Their website does try to give an updated daily tally of how many first come first serve sites are available. It said there were seven open sites in the electrical loops. We knew we were coming into a weekend, so it would be really good to get settled into our site on a Thursday. We could pay day by day, to continue to hold our site up to 21 days.

Camping is $32 a night with electric and water at each site. Some sites are 50 amp and some are only 30 amp.   There is a nice clean bath and shower house, along with a coin operated laundry room. 

The park itself is beautiful with tall trees and paved roads, sites and lots. It is situated on the ledge of the Niagara Escarpment at the southern base of the Door County Peninsula. There is a winding road that goes down between the cliffs to a pebbly beach area and large parking lot with boat launch. There is a very nice picnic area including some children's attractions like a huge wooden ship climbing apparatus toy as well as a big inflatable bouncing pad. 

Cellular signal is very good, we pulled in 5G on our phones. All of the Green Bay TV stations are available via broadcast antenna. 

Here is a map of the park from their website:

Here is a link to their website

Bayshore County Park, Brown County Wisconsin

Bay Shore Park is located along the bay at 5637 Sturgeon Bay Rd, New Franken WI approximately 15 miles northeast of Green Bay on State Highway 57, and 30 minutes from Sturgeon Bay (Door Co).  

107 wooded campsites

90 sites with water & electric ($32.00 per night)

15 sites with no hookups

2 group sites (Up to 20 individuals and no more than 8 tents. Campers, motor homes, and pop-ups are permitted on group sites). 

Site have asphalt pads, fire rings, and picnic tables

Pets allowed on leash

Amenities include:

Boat launch

Firewood

Free WIFI near the playground

Dump station

Hiking & biking trails

Ice

Jump pillow (hours vary)

Laundry

Playground

Showers and restroom facilities (registered campers only)

Bay Shore Park campsites are available both; at a first-come, first-serve basis and online reservations. All even numbered water and electric sites (2-88 and 266) are available at a first-come, first-serve basis; the remainder of the sites at Bay Shore are online reservable only (this includes the odd numbered water and electric sites (1-87), the primitive sites (200-214) and the group sites (300-301).

We decided to hook the Saturn on the back of the motorhome to tow along. I could have just followed behind Steve driving it, because it's only about 50 miles. But he wanted to tow it just for the fun of it. We would have the Saturn available to buzz down back and forth to his dad's Hospice Center.

We chose one of the non-reservable sites, site 80. We walked over to the pay kiosk at the camp host site near the entrance to the park. It is possible to pay online with a credit card through the kiosk, or cash or check is allowed in an envelope.  

Although the sites are closer together than what we are used to in the rustic National Forest, they are still nicely spaced apart with tall trees and well kept landscaping.  Every other site has a dual water spigot. Make sure you have enough hose along if you wish to hook up to water. There is also a dump station and potable water near the entrance if you just wish to fill your tank.

   

We got all set up on our site number 80, and then headed over for the day to spend with Steve's dad at the hospice center. We buzzed back to the campground for a little while at lunch. Then we went back again for late afternoon and evening rotations with other family and friends.

We set up scheduled times with the other family members to come and go to be close and have someone near his bedside as much as possible.

When we weren't at the hospice center, we were relaxing in the campground. The temperatures had gotten very cold and the winds had climbed way up. We were getting wind speeds of 20 to 30 mph up on that cold bluff!

We did get a pretty good cell signal so we were able to stay in contact with family members as well as tether to the Roku stick and watch some TV shows.

We did sit outside for a little bit but the cold winds blew us back inside! 

We spent the next week or so at the campground. We were going back and forth to the hospice center and back to the campground. It was a lot easier than driving all the way back up to Oconto. 

One evening we managed to drive down by the boat launch area and caught the sunset. The winds were crashing in with white cap waves out in the bay. 

It was fierce and pretty and stormy all wrapped up into one. 

On Sunday, after an extremely long and pleasant visit with Steve's dad, we invited Steve's brother Pete and wife Cindy over for a meal at the campground. Good to relax and unwind a little bit.

By Monday, things were taking a turn for the worst with his dad's health. We returned with heavy hearts to the motorhome for the evening. We kind of drowned our sorrows a little bit in some beverages. 

We flipped on the TV to find a marathon of Laurel and Hardy. Just what we needed to take our minds off things and laugh a little. 

Steve's dad, 

the beloved patriarch of the Pfundtner family, 

passed away 

gently and painlessly 

in his sleep.  

Rest in peace, Pops. 

CAMPING- Bayshore County Park, Mike's Tree, and Jameson's Grand Prix Party

Whew what a busy weekend!

Actually it started on Thursday when I packed up the motorhome and drove it down to Green Bay, around the bend, and up towards Door County.  I drove the motorhome down to Bayshore County Park and got all settled in site 27.  A kind camper nearby helped spot the sign post as it was too low to see in my backup camera or side mirrors.  Thanks!  Why do they put the sign post with the lot marker number soooo close to the opening of the campsite?  A few feet over would suffice, and make it a bit easier to back in with a rig that don't *bend* in the middle like a trailer and truck does!

I called Steve at work to tell him to come on over to site 27, and he was surprised, as he thought I was just going to meet him at work at 2:30 like usual in the parking lot at work.   He would then drive the rig to the campground with the Tracker in tow.  But I knew it was gonna get HOT HOT HOT so I went in the morning instead and got all set up before the heat started.

We have camped here before... here are the links:

Cecil DePeau Bayshore County Park

Blog post from Bayshore 2010

Blog post from Bayshore 2009

The site was very nice, and I had to back wayyy back to get the awning to clear the tree when rolled out.  We liked the site but the only down side was the power pole was in in the front of the site!  Go figger?   It took both of our 50 amp extension cords and our 30 am extension cord  (25 feet each) to reach the post.  

This park is near Steve's place of work, UWGB, so he went to work on Friday right from the campground.  I hung out in the oppressive heat and turned on the air about noon.  It was just too hot to do much outside, but I got some spinning and knitting done  

In the evening we were able to walk around the campground with the dogs and enjoy the cooling evening air.  We were pleased to run into some campers we met last year, Jon and Maryanne from Sturgeon Bay.  They remembered us and we visited for quite a while.   We also met some other RVers across from us, Lori and Jeff Rose from Ashwaubenon (Green Bay)   We sure enjoyed visiting with them and even shared their campfire one of the evenings. 

On Saturday morning, we loaded up the Tracker with 2 folding tables, 3 lawn chairs, 2 chaise lounges, a cooler, and a pile of presents.  We were heading to our grandson Jameson's 3rd birthday party.  It was only about 20 miles beyond the park we were camping at, saving us an extra 70 miles roundtrip if we had stayed at home this weekend.

We leave the dogs inside with the AC on, the tv going to drown out any noise from the outside, and the blinds all drawn.  We hate having to listen to any one else's dogs bark all day long when they leave, so we want to be extra sure ours won't be a bother to anyone else.  And due to the oppressive heat, we chose a campground with electrical hookups to be sure they were kept cool while we were gone.    And we add a supplementary 12 volt fan in case the power were to go out at the post in the campsite.  Otherwise we usually camp in rustic campgrounds without hookups.

I made up a tuna noodle salad and an oriental coleslaw salad to take along, so they were loaded in last in the cooler and off we went for the day.

But first, on the way, we stopped at Mike's Tree.   After our son, Mike, passed away five years ago, Steve's folks wanted to do something special in his memory. So they got permission and had a tree planted near the first base of the ball diamond at his high school.  Steve's brothers added a lovely plaque in his honor, and we try to stop and see the tree each time we go by that area.   Sometimes the gates are locked at the ball diamond (shhhhhhh-   we can scoot and shimmy under the fence)   but this Saturday they were having a soccer game nearby so the gate was unlocked.  We snapped a few pics for the Grands to see how well it's grown over the last five years...

It was a good visit and a time to reflect and smile and shed a tear or two.  

From there, we drove on to Rio Creek...  our grandson Jameson is very lucky to have some wonderful grandparents on his daddy's side of the family.  They have a nice home out in the country and let their children hold parties there!   Showers, birthdays and any of their family gatherings are welcome at the Wade's home in the country.

We unloaded and helped set up.  It was a beautiful day of all sun and puffy clouds and hot weather.  The kiddos had set up some wading pools, slippery slide and a RACE TRACK!  Yes... little Jameson was going to have a Grand Prix Birthday!    Of course, with the release of the movie, Cars2, the little tyke is all agog with racing cars.

Creative daughter Heather and her hubby Jesse made up a whole slew of cardboard race cars! (I think 15 or 16?)    Each one had a personalized license plate for it's intended guest to *drive* around the race track!

Jesse made up lazer cut medallions for each child, hanging on ribbons around their necks, 

so everyone was a WINNER! 

After the wee ones were done racing, then big Daddy Jesse and Uncle Tyler had to have a grudge match... brothers, ya know.   LOL  Some boys never grow up, do they?

Soon it was time for cake and ice cream, presents and all the fun that goes with a birthday. 

Both of our granddaughters were there too.... 

Allegra showing off in her Pop-Pop's chair and Chelsea screaming about  "ANTS"!   

Link to all the photos of the party on a public facebook album

Our little three year old guy was wearing down, but he made it through the whole party.  The two granddaughters were well on their way to sleep as their parents drove away afterwards... asleep before they even turned the corner!

As we drove home with our loaded Tracker, the skies opened up and torrential rains and winds blasted us on the way back to the campground.  We held our breath till we saw the awning was intact as we drove up to our campsite.  We had left it open, with weather reports of clear skies and no wind.  Ya just never know, we were lucky this time!   And next time it gets rolled up!

Later that evening, Heather and Jesse dropped the birthday boy off at our camper.  He was getting an extra special day by coming to spend the night with us at the campground!   They were going out and we were soooo close by to Green Bay for babysitting.  He walked around the park with us holding a leash for Duke, and then fell asleep in my arms in front of the campfire.  What a joy to have a sleeping birthday boy in my arms.   In the morning he was bouncing around with happiness because his parents had left some of his new toys to play with.

We had a good breakfast of french toast (made with vanilla and cinnamon in the batter)  and some sausages.   After a walk around the loop, the little guy konked out again for two more hours!  I think his birthday the day before wore him out.

In the afternoon, Erin stopped by with granddaughter Chelsea as they had some shopping to do in Green Bay.  We sat in the cool AC of the rig for lunch, and then went to the playground for a bit.  The park has a HUGE wooden ship structure for the kids to play on.    We grownups sweltered in the heat while the kiddos ran and climbed and steered the big ship.    I took pics but they are in a file in the camera yet I think.  So here is a shot from the website.

Granfaddah took care of dumping the holding tanks on the motorhome and drove it over to the playground area parking lot.  Now we had a nice place to come and cool down and relax and refresh with cold drinks right by the playground.

It sure had been a turmoil of emotions this weekend... between the happiness of camping, the reminder of 5 year loss of our son, the joy of a little boy's birthday, and the hugs and kisses of grandchildren.  Life sure can be a myriad of things, both good and bad, all tossed up and fall where they may.....   It's up to us to make sense of it.

UPDATE on Mom-In-Law and CAMPING at Bayshore and JAMESON birthday party

We received good news via Pete by phone calls yesterday and an email last night:

Mom's fever was measured at 101.8 this evening.  White cell count is about half of one percent. Hemoglobin dropped from Friday to this evening. She has lost 15 pounds since the last measure, Mom attributes the weight loss to the sores in her mouth and throat, nausea and poor taste in her mouth.  Her Oxygen level is still good.  Morphine is helping a bit with the pain. Infection is identified in bladder and throat. She is coughing up phlem from her throat and with the help of morphine is getting some sleep. She is receiving IV fluids and antibiotics.


She is in isolation with no visitors until her white cell count goes up...   if she continues to improve, they might let her go home later this week if she regains strength.  We are all hoping and praying for her.  Thank you so much everyone for your kind words of support, your prayers and you well wishes.  I printed them off and put them in a card for her, so she knows so many of your good people care about her!

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We had a nice time camping Friday night at the campground here at Bayshore.  As the last 2 sites around us were taken, one by a nice couple from Sturgeon Bay in Door County, turns out they know Steve's brother and wife very well, and we also had some other folks in common too.

And on the other empty site, we watched a big 36-38ish ft motorhome pull up, and back in very skillfully into a difficult site across from us, slow and steady wins the race.  Not only was the site tilted side to side, but also front to back.  It was the only site left and they were determined to get in there.  Once they successfully maneuvered it in, as the driver got out, we complimented him on his backing-in finesse!   They had three cute little pomeranian doggers, that all yipped in unison in agreement with our words.  LOL  But they were good and quiet campground doggies after that.

Supper was a treat of Italian sausage, sweet corn and spiced rice... yummmmm

We put in our little pittance of $5 to the rangers for some firewood, for the tiny bundle ... (we forgot to take some from home)   and had a little campfire.  Large metal campfire rings here with a flat section with a cooking grid, but we think you would have to get the fire going first in the open area, then shovel the burning logs and coals back to under the grid to be able to cook on it.

We turned in early Friday night and got a good night's rest.  Saturday morning we awoke to rain rain and more rain.... (the weatherman said *scattered showers* ===  he lied)   He also said it was going to be very hot and muggy.   I was thinking about the nice outfit I had brought along to wear for Jameson's 2nd birthday party-- if it was going to be too hot, I would be sweating bullets.  On TV with morning coffee, I saw an ad for Kohls having a special sale that started at 7am!   It was 6:15 am and I decided to do a quick run 10 miles down the highway to see if they had anything I might like.  Steveio insisted on coming along too. Ack.  I hate shopping... and I hate it even more if I have a hovering husband, suggesting outlandish clothes or getting lost where I have to go looking for him!   He did BOTH of those things of course in the half hour we were in the store.  Didn't find a sun dress, but I found 2 nice lighter summer tops for sale and we headed back to the campground.  Through the pouring rain.  It was a high speed windshield wiper type rain, and we could barely see the road.  Scattered showers... yah ... right.... if you say so, Mr. Weatherman.


Now it was time to get out to Jesse's folks house in Rio Creek for the party.   By 10 am we were loaded up in the car with our 2 portacribs they were borrowing, 4 lawn chairs, 2 folding tables, a cooler with 2 big salads, video camera and birthday presents.   Wheeeeeeee   Guess what?  The rain stopped and held off for most of the outdoor party.

They had a blowup bouncy toy for the kids, plenty of food, and lots of babies to hand around.  

Grandma Lisa (Jesse's mom), with wee Scarlett and Jameson clinging to her.   

Granddaughter Allegra tries out her new shades from her goodie bag.

Jameson was insisting he was FIVE, not two. 

Jameson loved his Sesame Street cake, with Grover and Elmo flying in a plane

For some reason, our granddaughter Chelsea decided she didn't like her Uncle Dan...
but our granddaughter Allegra was thinking her daddy is just wonderful. 

Daddy Jesse entertained us on Jameson's new ukulele, while Grandpa Wade looked on with humor.

Our granddaughters, Allegra and Chelsea

Sassy boy Jameson is tossing pieces of bark into the flowing waters of this unique fountain... 

We waited for updates on Steve's mom so that kinda threw a damper on the celebration.   Pete called during the gift opening, just as Jameson was opening a present from his Great Grandma and Grandpa Pfundtner, what timing!   With good news that she was doing better, we were able to relax a bit more and smile and enjoy the little guy's party, which is what she wanted us to do.  She is in isolation so can not have visitors anyhow, they don't want to chance any more infections.  She wanted us to keep on camping and do the birthday party without her.

Oh, by the way, it was cold and damp at the party, I could have worn the original outfit I had planned on, and never had to go shopping for anything new afterall!

After the party was over, we cleaned up and packed the car, we headed back to our campground.

Back at the campground, we drove down the cliff drive to the water... to the bay waters of Green Bay.  

I snapped these quick outta the car window, so they are a bit crooked.

It's a popular fishing boat ramp, and there were trucks and trailers as far as the eye could see in the parking lot.  When our kids were little, they didn't like camping here.  There is really no beach or swimming area for kids, just the boat launches, rocks and piers to moor your boats at. 

Up at our campsite, we let out the dogs, asked the neighbors if they had barked (they hadn't).   When we do have to leave the dogs in the rig, we close the windows, turn up the volume on the tv and pull the shades so they do not notice anything from the outside. They just sleep and wait for us to come back.  We have set up the video camera from time to time to see what they do while we are gone, and it's a pretty boring film.   A yawn, a sip of water from the dog dish, and curled back up to snooze.  Good doggers.

We unpacked the lawnchairs from the car and got ready to make supper.  The wood was a bit wet for cooking outside, so inside the rig we cooked up some spaghetti dinner with garlic bread and a big salad for supper.  But we took it outside to eat at the picnic table.   NOW the clouds blow away and the sun comes out and it gets warmer.

After a nice walk around the park with the dogs, we stopped to chat with the neighbors.  They shared their campfire with us, and we brought over our soggy wood to add to their pile.  If you put one wet log in with 3 or 4 dry ones, they all burn about the same.

We sat up around the fire till almost 11 pm before turning in.  Things were quiet and comfortable, but cooling off a bit.  So we closed up the windows on the motorhome and that had kept the residual heat from the day inside. But about midnight I was feeling chilled.  Didn't want to get up and start the furnace which I knew would blast us out of the rig.  Then I remembered, we had electric hookups here!   So I just reached down outta bed, plugged in the cord for our electric mattress pad heater, and flicked on the controller on my side of the bed.  I was soon toasty warm and cozy for the night. Ahhh sometimes it's nice to be pampered camping with full hookups!    LOL

Woke up Sunday morning to sunshine, and sweet fresh air after opening all the windows and lovely birds singing.  It sure is good to be camping!   I baked up a tray of triple berry muffins....  (from a mix)

Since the mix makes a whole dozen, I brought some over to our neighbors as a *Thank You* for sharing their campfire last night.   

Now we are sitting out in our lawn chairs, updating this blog, sipping coffee, and watching all the other campers pack up and get ready to head out.  Checkout time is 3pm and I think we are staying till the last possible minute to enjoy the day. 

2nd post today- A change of plans and maybe change of plans again?

Well, we made it this afternoon out to the little campground at the airport in Rio Creek ... but there were only about 15-16 sites, most occupied.  We had called 2 weeks ago for reservations.  The owners had told us to park anywhere when we get there, but "anywhere" was all sloped and slanted or muddy and wet lowlands...   There was not a level spot to be gotten for any rig over 16' long.    The one possible spot would still have taken 6 boards per back tire (times four tires would be 24 planks!)   to get level enough to keep the fridge operating.  

Then to top it off, a neighboring farmer was spreading liquid manure (a hundred times worse than fresh manure)  on his fields and it was getting stronger and stronger by the minute.  That means all weekend having all the windows closed and having to run the generator 24/7 to keep it cool inside because of the closed windows!   No thank you.

So we switched gears and went over to Bayshore Campground about 16 miles away ...

Here is a post I did on it previously.  

http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/2009/10/bay-shore-county-park-brown-county.html

and here is their website:

Cecil Depeau Bay Shore Park, Brown County, WI

We were lucky to get a site, number 78,  as there were only 3 vacant sites when we got here.  It's first come first serve, no reservations allowed.   Lots of trees and well-shaded sites.  While we set up, 2 other campers came and snapped up the last two sites, all filled before 2pm on a friday.

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Once we got all set up ...  then we got a phone call that we have been dreading.

Steve's mom was brought to the ER tonight.  She has just completed her last chemo treatment for cancer this last week and has not been doing so well.  She is now dehydrated, running a fever and supposedly not taking the proper meds.   Pete, Steve's brother, will call us with more details as they find out.  They are 90 miles away from here, but we will take off in the car and go see what we can do if we are needed.  I suppose time on the IV will tell the tale, so it's just wait and see on pins and needles.

Sigh.

Campground Review- Bay Shore County Park – Brown County, Green Bay, WI – June 2009

(this is one of series of posts of various campgrounds we have been to over the years... I am going through my files in alphabetical order and posting past camping trips in my blog.... something to do over this long long upcoming winter---- sigh)


This campground is located about 10 miles north of Green Bay and is very close to my husband’s place of work.  So sometimes we come here during the week and he can commute to work easily.  Actually it is shorter than commuting from home!

Although there are 106 sites, they are in 4 separate loops so we are not subject to all the traffic going past our campsites.  Some sites are 30 amp, some are only 20 amp and some in one loop are rustic tenting sites.  There are three bathroom buildings, two are with showers and one with laundry.  An ice machine and soda machine at the entrance, along with a humungous picnic area overlooking the waters of the Green Bay.  In the kid’s playground is a big timber structure of a sailing ship, near the rentable pavilions and baseball diamonds.  Down the winding road through limestone cliffs is a nice harbor and boat launch, but not really much of a swimming beach or recreational area.

Many folks like to camp here – it’s all first come first served, no reservations- and then they can day trip up to Door County, a prime tourist area, and also into Green Bay to see the sights there…  $20 a night, and they have discounted rates for monthly camping too.

The website:
 Cecil DePeau Bay Shore County Park

Every time we camp here, we are treated nicely by the county park rangers, and the park is well maintained, and closely monitored for noise and disturbances.  It’s one of the few places we go with hookups, E and W at the sites, and a dump station at the exit.


We usually like site number 79, but it was taken this time.  We like the quieter side of the campground, furthest from the highway. 


My folks came down from Michigan for a short visit, on their way to get some motorcycle parts in Green Bay.  We had a nice visit, and my mother was curious about my laptop (she only has Web-TV at home)  and wanted to email to my sister while stopped by us.
  
My step-dad, Lowell, gave his thumbs up of approval!  



 
Daughter Heather stopped by with the little guy, Jameson, just about 10 months old.  She hung out for awhile, and then we STOLE the kid for the rest of the weekend!  


 
Daughter Erin stopped by too, just after her doc appt. where they confirmed her pregnancy!   (due in Jan 2010)   Here she is reading up on the stack of baby books she bought on her way to the campground!    She is resting in our zero-gravity recliners and said she just LOVED them.  We bought one the following week for her birthday!



 
We got in some special B-Ball playing…. 



 
Dumb Ducky (aka Duchess)  loves to be carried around like a parrot on Steve’s shoulder.  At least when she was a little puppy, it was easier.  Now that she is 50 pounds, it’s a tad bit more difficult?



 





Our future-son-in-law Jesse’s folks came out for a visit.  This is Kevin, Jesse’s dad







And this is Lisa, Jesse’s mom.  They just HAD to stop by and see the grandson.  It’s hard to go too long without seeing them, and since we were so close to their area, they stopped on by, shared a campfire and got in some cuddles with the little guy!




 
During the weekend, we got in quite a few stroller rides around the park.  Just look at how that little stinker propped up his feet and rose around in style!



 
The portable crib sets up perfectly in our rig between the front seats…..   but once he wakes up in the morning, we pop him into the king-sized bed between his Grandfaddah and Grandmuddah Pfun!




 
This little guy had to look out the windows in the morning, just to see what was going on in the campground.



  
Duke and Duchess are quite the well-behaved campground doggies.  And a swat with a fly-swatter can make them shush up if  they happen to utter a peep.   They sure enjoy the walks, the sniffing, and the attention they get when folks saw “Awwwww look at the Lassie dogs!”  Duke is only a sheltie, and much smaller.. so most kids ask if he is the *baby*….  how cute is that?







We managed to get a four generation camping picture of all of us…..


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