Buccaneer State Park, MS — Part Two

As well as our travels have gone, our visit to Buccaneer State Park did not begin auspiciously. We are still on a learning curve when it comes to backing up the trailer. We try to book pull-thru spots when we can but not all parks have them. This was the case here. But as I mentioned before, someone always finds their way to help us out. This is how we met our new friend, Jack.

Here is our setting:
I am standing in grass surrounded by mosquitoes, holding the dog.
Hubby is trying for the fifth time to back into the spot. Kids are in back seat, not sitting quietly.
I am trying VERY unsuccessfully to direct hubby over the phone (which goes into the hands-free Garmin so don’t worry, he’s not holding a phone).

A nice gentleman approaches me.
Jack: Excuse me, I moved trailers professionally for over 20 years. Do you think your husband would mind if I offered help?
Me: (holding back laughter) Not only do I not think he’d not mind, I think he would be thrilled if you did.

Jack walks to truck.
J: Hi. My name is Jack. I backed up trailers professionally for a long time. Would you like some help?
Mr. Hero: (clearly relieved) Hi Jack. And yes!
J: If you want I can just move it.

Mr. Hero jumps out of the car.
MH: That would be awesome.

Jack then climbs in the driver seat and turns to the kids.
J: Hi kids, I’m Jack.
Little Diva and Sonny-Bunny both say hi back.

As Jack starts to move the truck for us, we realize “wow, that guy could drive off with our entire life!” I am usually so overprotective, I can’t believe that I didn’t at least make the kids get out of the car. I guess I just had a good feeling about Jack. That good feeling proved well deserved, however. In one try, he had the trailer perfectly parked. He did not run off with our children, home, and truck.

I was ready to kiss him. (I didn’t, for the record.) Score another point for nice RV people!

***

The not-a-child-stealer Jack is actually a lovely man who alongside a best pal is driving an RV around the country on a Bucket List. We so enjoyed his company.

And in a very sweet gesture, he loaned us a copy of the 1970s era Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. He thought it would be a nice addition to our Mississippi travels. I admit to worrying if the kids would get into it. Nonetheless , I put it in. At first, they were a little reticent but slowly, they stopped what they were doing and started watching. They even started asking questions — unsolicited questions! How about that?

Sonny-Bunny especially seemed affected by Huck Finn. He cuddled up with me and got really quiet. Then he says “Mommy, those people are acting racist.” He seemed shocked. This created a great opportunity to discuss a little history and respect for others.

So score another point for the kindness of strangers!

***

One of the nice things about staying at parks, believe it or not, is that there isn’t much to do. Nights are quiet. We play a lot more games than we did.

 

And we ended most of our evenings sitting around the fire. This has become a favorite time for me.