Camping

This past weekend, we took our highly anticipated camping trip to Standing Stone State Park with the Griffins. Phillip couldn't wait to get there, and he wanted to make sure we got a good spot at the campsite, so we left on Thursday. When we got there, the boys couldn't wait to fish. So, Phillip went to the office and asked if there was a trail that led to the lake. She directed us to the trail, and we were on our way. I think it must have been a trail made by a deer because it was a skinny steep trail- not one for walking on with small children. On our hike, I couldn't even walk side by side and hold Lofton's hand, so he walked in front of me, and I would hold on to his hand when it looked treacherous; Phillip carried Landon. Well, on our hike, we (well, Phillip not me) saw a snake above us in a tree; it was good that I didn't see it or we'd have started our hike back up. Lofton also slipped and fell and was holding on to a root. I grabbed him, and we were both scared, but when I told him he was like Indiana Jones, he got over it. When we finally got to fish, it was uneventful- not a thing was caught. And, this was the story of the weekend. The boys and Ella also fished on Friday and Saturday, but they did not catch a thing unless you count the turtle that Landon reeled in. It was a good thing we weren't fishing for our dinner. Then, we went back to our (mine and Amy's) cabin for the night, and it was good that we did seeing as there were tornado warnings all night and severe thunderstorms.

The Griffins joined us on Friday, and the boys and kids hit the campsite. Phillip made dinner, and the kids and adults made smores, caught lightening bugs, and told "scary" campfire stories.

On Saturday, we all enjoyed swimming, which was surprisingly Landon's favorite part. He usually hates the pool, but he has changed his mind, and I couldn't even get him to leave. The kids with Jonathan and Phillip also fished and stomped in the creek on Saturday. We ended Saturday with a hike and a delicious meal (who knew you could eat so well on a camping trip), and of course smores and stories.

The camping experience wasn't complete without the catching of a fish, so on our way home, Phillip drove to Dale Hollow, where they finally caught a fish, and we then got to head on our way home. I am happy to say we all survived, and I am actually thinking it would be fun to do again. I know I wouldn't feel this way had I not slept in an air conditioned cabin with a bathroom and beds.