Labor Day Camping Trip

Over Labor Day weekend, we had the opportunity to go camping. We had waffled back and forth about whether to go for a few reasons—namely because of a forecast of rain and because we didn’t have reservations yet for the holiday weekend.

When our friends invited for us to come camp on some land their family owns, we decided to give it a shot (thanks, Graham and Heather!). Jon climbed over all our belongings in the storage facility to the top corner to get our tent and Ainsley’s sleeping bag. We packed up Saturday morning, made a quick trip to Sam’s Club for lunch supplies for everyone, and headed out for about and hour and half trip. We hit the highway, and it started pouring! We were bringing lunch for everyone, so we kept going—detouring to get a couple ponchos and some glow sticks.

The rain let up by the time we got there, but the ground was very muddy. We ended up deciding to stay overnight anyway, so Jon set up our tent. The kids played in a tiny creek, the dogs chased each other around, and Jon and I even got to play a few card games.

We did have a few interesting encounters with “nature”. Everyone in our family had tiny ticks on them. Asher had a lot, and he was really miserable when we had to get them out. I can still almost hear the poor guy crying. Ainsley got into chiggers, which tore up her feet for at least two weeks. They were horribly itchy and she kept scratching them open (I don’t blame her—I had a few bites on me and scratching them was almost irresistible). I had the interesting experience of stepping over a small copperhead snake (in the dark!) I screamed and the men-ahem- “took care” of it. The most disturbing part of the snake thing to me was that he was in some blocks that the kids had been playing with. I am glad he was gone by morning so no kids got hurt.

Graham and Heather cooked some great food on the fire. They also made some yummy coffee that really hit the spot in the morning!

We had a great time. I was never so glad for a shower as when we got home, though!

 

Ainsley’s drawing of Mr. Graham cooking over the fire. Look closely at our tent on the left and you will see 4 pairs of shoes lined up outside our tent.

Asher holding a mushroom he picked.

 

Ainsley playing in the water

 

Ainsley and Jacob playing

Riding the tractor with Mr. Graham

Ainsley and Asher helping to put up the tent

Graham and Jon cooking over the fire.

Ainsley in her hideout.

Ainsley and Grayson with a walking stick (poor guy!)

 

Asher playing with the blocks (pre-copperhead)

Tank “playing” with the blocks.

Around the fire Our small group joined us Sunday night for a campfire and cookout.