Overnight at Rock Cut State Park

Last Friday, May 31st, was the maiden voyage in the new camper!  After what seemed like an eternity, we finally got out in our new Lake House.  It was just an overnight trip, not far from home and a park we have visited many times BUT it was packed full of fun!

We left Friday late afternoon.  We forgot chairs and fishing poles!  Wow...amateurs!  It was the first trip of the season.  We didn't have toilet paper either, boy #2 couldn't seem to remember that.  Fishing poles were the only thing that was really disappointing.  There were several other things but none of it mattered, especially since it was just one night. 

I really wanted to check out the water ski show in Rockford Friday night but it didn't work out.  Another time for sure!  We had friends meet us at the park Friday and the boys took off on bikes almost as soon as we got them out.  They finally came back but then were busy throwing a football.  Why interrupt them?  That is sort of like waking a hibernating bear, you just don't do it.  By the time we all retreated to the camper Friday night, they made it through 20 minutes of Caddy Shack before they were out cold.

Mountain biking is a must at Rock Cut State Park.  There are miles and miles and miles of single track trails.  Enough that we really didn't know where we were.  We weren't lost exactly, we were still in the park but by the time we started thinking about where we were and how to get back, we were a LONG way from our campsite.  When we got back I was only bleeding in one spot.  That's a pretty good day on the trails for me with the TEENAGER.  I also only fell once, on a muddy slippery downhill slope. 

There was plenty of mud, thanks to all the rain in Northern Illinois.  The bikes are in desperate need of a bath now but the mud adds to the fun of it all! 

Back to the campsite for a break & a quick lunch then to the Lake for some kayaking.  There is a great concession store at the park, they have rental kayaks, canoes and SUP's.  The employees have all been great every time I've been there.  The TEENAGER didn't go, he's too cool for that I guess but boy #2 was all for it.  I just started letting him go solo last year, he is still learning, the lake is perfect for him to practice.  We paddled around the lake for an hour then headed back to the campsite. 

I was planning to stay all day Saturday and head back Saturday evening.  This is when the husband starts with "I want to get back before dark".  It was only 2:00.  He didn't have fishing poles, if he did that would have kept him busy.  So whatever, one more spin on the trails and we'll call it a day.  We did the easy tour the second time, we just took the path around the lake.  It's a big lake, so it took us about an hour but it's pretty easy terrain.

We pulled out just in time too, we drove home in rain.  This is still one of my favorite parks, mostly due to the mountain biking but also the great fishing (when you have poles).  There are great corner sites with plenty of space for the dog. 

The bikes are at the bike shop, they will be trail ready just in time for the next trip.  Saturday night was pretty low key after we unpacked the little amount of stuff we needed too.  To be honest, my legs were completely shredded and I was exhausted.  A good night's sleep and it's off to the races Sunday morning...