Boy #2 is still young enough to enjoy Halloween camping. The Indiana Dunes State Park is a really nice park BUT there are lots of rules on the beach and the lake so we only visit for Halloween. We prefer Michigan for the summer and beach going. Halloween works perfectly, the kids are in school so this makes for an easy trip on a Friday afternoon.
The weekend before Halloween is the annual Halloween weekend. I let boy #2 invite 2 friends this year, and of course, the teenager is way too cool for Halloween camping and hanging out with three 10 year olds. The park has several activities, including trick or treating and campsite decorating. Last year we did everything, owl banding, organized hikes, hiked over the dunes to the beach and when it got cold at night we watched Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein inside. We didn't partake in any of that, the boys were busy exploring on their own so we missed almost all of that. It was still a fun camping trip, they probably would have enjoyed all of the parks programs but I guess the truth was I just didn't want to chase them down. I don't have any pictures either, they were never around long enough to take any good pictures!
Next year, our youngest will be in 6th grade. This very well could have been the last Halloween camping trip. This year for Halloween, the teenager went to the Florida Georgia Line concert and the husband and I went to Wisconsin so he could fish for Brown Trout. Halloween has basically become a non-event at my house. Next year Halloween will be on a Friday! Maybe it will be a different story. Who knows. The trailer is winterized now, it will be 7 months before we get it out again. 7 months! 7 months of cold, grey, damp, snowy and icy weather. I. hate. winter.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Pumpkin Pie Ride
I love to ride my bike! I think it's probably what I enjoy most and am most willing to do regardless of weather. I enjoy trail riding a lot more than road riding, mainly because I don't trust people to pay attention while driving. I also have come up on packs of riders while I'm driving and I find it annoying (sorry to all you road riders out there) so I try not to burden others with the same annoyance. I get bored on the road, I can see the same thing from my car, where I already spend many hours of my life. The trails give me different scenery and take me to places I wouldn't go in my car. Trails are more technical, they provide obstacles, terrain of all varieties and hills for a good workout. What does the road give you? Hmm, hills, road grit and road rage. Maybe a pothole to avoid every now and then.
There is an annual ride in Ottawa, IL I've wanted to try for several years but it's never worked out. The Pumpkin Pie Ride! Offering several distances to choose from, including a trail ride. It's on the I&M Canal and is limestone so nothing technical or challenging as far as terrain. Anyway, I found a friend and we signed up for the 42 mile trail ride. I have been to Ottawa but it had been a long time so as I was telling people that I was doing this, the common response was that will be a hilly ride. Really? Who knew. I was going to be on the trail along the river so I wasn't expecting hills, just a pretty scenic ride for distance.
Fast forward to the day before the ride and the trail is closed due to flooding damage (flooding that occurred back in the spring by the way) and all routes are on the road. Ottawa is about a two hour drive for us so switching bikes wasn't an option. So, off I go on my very heavy mountain bike. The ride was all farmland, corn to be exact. By the time we finished I was really sick of the corn. The first 25 miles was all hills! I think we went up 24.5 miles and somewhere along the way there was a short little downhill. That was a great workout on my very heavy mountain bike. The last 20 miles we rode into the wind the whole time. Between the wind and the corn, I really was sick of it and just ready for it to be over. Finally, we rolled into the parking lot where we started. Tired and sore, we set out in search of food and beer!
Ottawa is so pretty! Not the corn, but Starved Rock State Park. We didn't have our trailer, we had to have something fixed so we stayed in a hotel. That was fine but I would much rather have been in my camper at the park. I really dislike hotel stays, I don't care to eat out for every meal and in this situation there wasn't anything for us to do except bar hop really. I can't wait to do it again next year, in my camper and on the trail, not in the corn!
There is an annual ride in Ottawa, IL I've wanted to try for several years but it's never worked out. The Pumpkin Pie Ride! Offering several distances to choose from, including a trail ride. It's on the I&M Canal and is limestone so nothing technical or challenging as far as terrain. Anyway, I found a friend and we signed up for the 42 mile trail ride. I have been to Ottawa but it had been a long time so as I was telling people that I was doing this, the common response was that will be a hilly ride. Really? Who knew. I was going to be on the trail along the river so I wasn't expecting hills, just a pretty scenic ride for distance.
Fast forward to the day before the ride and the trail is closed due to flooding damage (flooding that occurred back in the spring by the way) and all routes are on the road. Ottawa is about a two hour drive for us so switching bikes wasn't an option. So, off I go on my very heavy mountain bike. The ride was all farmland, corn to be exact. By the time we finished I was really sick of the corn. The first 25 miles was all hills! I think we went up 24.5 miles and somewhere along the way there was a short little downhill. That was a great workout on my very heavy mountain bike. The last 20 miles we rode into the wind the whole time. Between the wind and the corn, I really was sick of it and just ready for it to be over. Finally, we rolled into the parking lot where we started. Tired and sore, we set out in search of food and beer!
Ottawa is so pretty! Not the corn, but Starved Rock State Park. We didn't have our trailer, we had to have something fixed so we stayed in a hotel. That was fine but I would much rather have been in my camper at the park. I really dislike hotel stays, I don't care to eat out for every meal and in this situation there wasn't anything for us to do except bar hop really. I can't wait to do it again next year, in my camper and on the trail, not in the corn!
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Zombie Invasion
So there was a small zombie invasion last weekend in N. Ill. Maybe you heard it on the news? No? The same park district that hosts the kayak race every year also has a zombie 5K obstacle race. It was something fun and silly. It's kind of crazy really. I'd never done anything like that before and really had no idea what to expect.
I expected it to be cool, so I over dressed and couldn't take off one layer. Not in an appropriate manner anyway. I expected the obstacles to be more physically demanding than they were. I don't know what I expected about the zombie part but they hid in the weeds and grass and jumped out at us. They sprayed us with water guns. They were laying in the path, they were standing in the path and you had to run around them. All the while, wearing a belt with three flags (think flag football) and the object was to make it to the finish line with at least one flag. I didn't so I was doomed to eternity as a zombie. The zombies looked good and the acting was great. I was really surprised about that. You could tell some of the zombies were having a great time too.
We got in the first heat, we thought that was a good idea so we could finish before the sun started to set. We knew we were going to get wet, we were trying to avoid getting cold too. The zombies were a little eager right at the beginning and two us lost two flags right away. Really, there was no getting away from them either because we were still caught up in the mob off the starting line. Towards the end we had to cross a creek so that meant the last mile(ish) was in wet shoes. That was gross then at the finish line you slid down a hill, a makeshift slip and slid, into the orange barrier that served as the finish line. If you hadn't gotten wet and muddy before that, you definitely finished wet!
One observation: two different times in open areas with a zombie ahead of me people ran right up against me, touching me so that when we went past the zombie they could get around and sacrifice me because I was in the middle then. I get it, it's a competition. But really, is it so serious that you feel like it's appropriate to run into and shove a total stranger? I heard there were 200 racers, I guess there is always that one person in every group, two in this case. I wasn't expecting that but I know now so next year the outcome will be different in that situation.
It was all in the name of fun and fun it was! The results had 35 people so I guess of the 200 or so racers 35 finished with a flag. We had a few drinks and dinner after and I crawled into bed exhausted and sore. I went for a bike ride Sunday to get some half century prep miles in. The weather has been G R E A T up here!!
I expected it to be cool, so I over dressed and couldn't take off one layer. Not in an appropriate manner anyway. I expected the obstacles to be more physically demanding than they were. I don't know what I expected about the zombie part but they hid in the weeds and grass and jumped out at us. They sprayed us with water guns. They were laying in the path, they were standing in the path and you had to run around them. All the while, wearing a belt with three flags (think flag football) and the object was to make it to the finish line with at least one flag. I didn't so I was doomed to eternity as a zombie. The zombies looked good and the acting was great. I was really surprised about that. You could tell some of the zombies were having a great time too.
We got in the first heat, we thought that was a good idea so we could finish before the sun started to set. We knew we were going to get wet, we were trying to avoid getting cold too. The zombies were a little eager right at the beginning and two us lost two flags right away. Really, there was no getting away from them either because we were still caught up in the mob off the starting line. Towards the end we had to cross a creek so that meant the last mile(ish) was in wet shoes. That was gross then at the finish line you slid down a hill, a makeshift slip and slid, into the orange barrier that served as the finish line. If you hadn't gotten wet and muddy before that, you definitely finished wet!
One observation: two different times in open areas with a zombie ahead of me people ran right up against me, touching me so that when we went past the zombie they could get around and sacrifice me because I was in the middle then. I get it, it's a competition. But really, is it so serious that you feel like it's appropriate to run into and shove a total stranger? I heard there were 200 racers, I guess there is always that one person in every group, two in this case. I wasn't expecting that but I know now so next year the outcome will be different in that situation.
It was all in the name of fun and fun it was! The results had 35 people so I guess of the 200 or so racers 35 finished with a flag. We had a few drinks and dinner after and I crawled into bed exhausted and sore. I went for a bike ride Sunday to get some half century prep miles in. The weather has been G R E A T up here!!
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Silver Lake Apple and BBQ Fest
We headed back to Silver Lake for the Apple and BBQ cook off festival the second weekend of September. We camped at Sandy Shores again. It's a perfect location for the festival, perfect to walk back and forth. The campground was just as great this time as it was last time. We got in Friday night just in time to grab some food. All the food is bought with tickets. The tickets are $1 each, non-refundable but they are good all weekend and every year. I love that! So many times you go to these festivals and you get nickel and dimed to death with the ticket game but not here! The food was great, we ate there Friday night and Saturday for lunch. I think everyone had something different both times and I never heard any complaints. We ended up with only one extra ticket and it's in the camper for next year.
Saturday morning we hit the dunes. We went out about 10 a.m. and it was perfect, hardly anyone out there. What a beautiful day too! It really couldn't have been a nicer day. It's just so pretty, I could have stayed out there all day. Sometimes I can't believe we're in Michigan!
We hit the festival for lunch and took in the car and buggy show. Then it was back to the campground for college football and dinner.
That looks like a ton of steak! There were 11 of us for dinner though. Steak and shrimp, it's kind of our usual for camping I guess, but it's always a success.
I was really hoping it would be warm enough to pack my bathing suit one last time. No luck with that, I packed my UGG's instead. It was 42 degrees Friday night about 10 p.m. or so. I couldn't get close enough to the campfire. Sunday it rained all day so we found ourselves packing up in the rain, once more. The end of summer dread finally set in with this trip. There is no denying it now, summer is really over. It will come again, it always does but it just takes so long! And I hate the in between.
Saturday morning we hit the dunes. We went out about 10 a.m. and it was perfect, hardly anyone out there. What a beautiful day too! It really couldn't have been a nicer day. It's just so pretty, I could have stayed out there all day. Sometimes I can't believe we're in Michigan!
We hit the festival for lunch and took in the car and buggy show. Then it was back to the campground for college football and dinner.
That looks like a ton of steak! There were 11 of us for dinner though. Steak and shrimp, it's kind of our usual for camping I guess, but it's always a success.
I was really hoping it would be warm enough to pack my bathing suit one last time. No luck with that, I packed my UGG's instead. It was 42 degrees Friday night about 10 p.m. or so. I couldn't get close enough to the campfire. Sunday it rained all day so we found ourselves packing up in the rain, once more. The end of summer dread finally set in with this trip. There is no denying it now, summer is really over. It will come again, it always does but it just takes so long! And I hate the in between.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Our Least Favorite, Favorite Trip
Table Rock Lake is our favorite vacation destination as a family. We go every year and it's the trip we look forward to the most. It was our least favorite this year. It rained. A lot. Every day and every night. Inches and inches and inches.
The trip is the always the same, every year. Friday we go to the farm. The sweet corn was ready. We picked, shucked and froze 50 quart bags of sweet corn for the winter. It didn't take as long as the pickles! WE didn't get pickled either.
Sunday, we head towards the Lake and we always stop at Lambert's Cafe for lunch. We try to get there about 10 a.m. there is always a line. We've waited as long as long an hour to eat here before, it's worth the wait!
It was raining, of course. When we finished we left the truck and trailer and took the car back to Springfield, MO to Bass Pro Shops. It's the original Bass Pro store and they have several different museums in the now. It's really worth a trip but with the rain, there wasn't anything else to do anyway.
We always boat Monday through Thursday, with a rental from the State Park Marina. We finally were able to get on the water Monday about noon. It rained on us a couple times then the sun finally came out. Tuesday we hit the water about the same time and it was a great day. The sun was out all afternoon and no rain! It did rain all morning but once it cleared up, it was beautiful.
Wednesday it rained, and it rained and it rained more. We didn't go out on the water. We ended up driving all the way back up by Springfield, MO to see Fantastic Caverns. It's the only ride through cave in North America.
It rained all night Wednesday night. The highway around St. Louis, MO had been closed on and off all week for flooding, but it was open Thursday morning. The mountain bike trails were closed, the fishing wasn't good and we were tired of being rained on. Everything was wet and dirty from the rain. We were all crowded under the awning every night and usually every morning. We left Thursday morning. Three days early! By the time we got my parents packed up and on the road, then got ourselves packed up, it was 2:00 before we actually got on the road. We got home at 11:30. What a miserable, long, tired drive! When we finally got home, the weather was great here. It seems like such a waste.
Usually Table Rock is our last summer trip. I hate coming home because it represents the end of summer and back to the monotony of the school year. This year, I came home early and hated it because the weather ruined our trip. I told the kids it happens to every one sometime, I guess it was our turn. Next year will be better...we really, really hope! Our favorite trip was our least favorite this summer.
The trip is the always the same, every year. Friday we go to the farm. The sweet corn was ready. We picked, shucked and froze 50 quart bags of sweet corn for the winter. It didn't take as long as the pickles! WE didn't get pickled either.
Sunday, we head towards the Lake and we always stop at Lambert's Cafe for lunch. We try to get there about 10 a.m. there is always a line. We've waited as long as long an hour to eat here before, it's worth the wait!
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| Look at the rain! |
We always boat Monday through Thursday, with a rental from the State Park Marina. We finally were able to get on the water Monday about noon. It rained on us a couple times then the sun finally came out. Tuesday we hit the water about the same time and it was a great day. The sun was out all afternoon and no rain! It did rain all morning but once it cleared up, it was beautiful.
Wednesday it rained, and it rained and it rained more. We didn't go out on the water. We ended up driving all the way back up by Springfield, MO to see Fantastic Caverns. It's the only ride through cave in North America.
It rained all night Wednesday night. The highway around St. Louis, MO had been closed on and off all week for flooding, but it was open Thursday morning. The mountain bike trails were closed, the fishing wasn't good and we were tired of being rained on. Everything was wet and dirty from the rain. We were all crowded under the awning every night and usually every morning. We left Thursday morning. Three days early! By the time we got my parents packed up and on the road, then got ourselves packed up, it was 2:00 before we actually got on the road. We got home at 11:30. What a miserable, long, tired drive! When we finally got home, the weather was great here. It seems like such a waste.
Usually Table Rock is our last summer trip. I hate coming home because it represents the end of summer and back to the monotony of the school year. This year, I came home early and hated it because the weather ruined our trip. I told the kids it happens to every one sometime, I guess it was our turn. Next year will be better...we really, really hope! Our favorite trip was our least favorite this summer.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Pickling Party!
Yep, pickling! As in...canning! Odd topic, right? We know a group of guys from from our favorite local establishment and they do everything! When I need something fixed at home, one of them can do it. They fish in Wisconsin and maybe twice a year we have a fish fry, at the local establishment, of course. They make their own pickles, horseradish, peaches and I don't even know what else but I'm sure there are plenty of other things. The husband scored an invite to the pickling party this past Sunday and insisted that we be in town for him to participate. I have to say I thought it was kind of silly at first.
Friday night, at the local establishment, a couple of the guys invited me to the party. I hadn't been invited previously and was under the impression this was not a party for wives. The husband did not approve at all but Saturday morning he ran into one of the guys at the farmer's market and realized that yes, I was indeed, invited. Sunday morning I went out for a quick bike ride with friends. The picking party was scheduled at 10 a.m. One of the people I was biking with had a mechanical problem, which caused a crash, which caused a small injury and together, it was all enough to end our bike ride. I had to call the husband to come and get us. He was, of course, totally irritated because one, he is totally sick of bike season and the repairs we've had to deal with but this was going to make him late for the pickling party. Anyway, we got through it all and I think we were only about 20 minutes late for pickling.
I wasn't sure exactly what I was in store for. The first thing they handed me when we (finally!) arrived was a mimosa!
This might turn out to be okay! We had three bushels of cucumbers
I didn't know exactly what three bushels of cucumbers meant but I sure do now. I was the official cutter. Wow! That's a lot of cucumbers. I thought my fingers were going to be stained green for days to come. The little ones too, so there was plenty of cutting and slicing.
We had appetizers. Good appetizers too!
One of the sisters made all this food for us. I am not a fan of fried zucchini BUT these fritters were DE-lish! She made two kinds, one variety had Quinoa! She said she would share the recipe with me but I forgot to leave my email address for her. I could not believe how good that all was!
In the end, I think we had 106 jars of pickles. All different varieties, fryers, dill, bread and butter, zesty, etc. etc. etc. All the garlic, dill and onions came from the guys garden as well.
What a party! Who knew pickling could be SO much fun! We were invited to the peach party in September. The guys that do it all have peach trees AND they have white peach trees too. My favorite! The pickling party left me with a headache Monday morning (we got pickled too) but it was worth it. I can't wait for the peach party!
Friday night, at the local establishment, a couple of the guys invited me to the party. I hadn't been invited previously and was under the impression this was not a party for wives. The husband did not approve at all but Saturday morning he ran into one of the guys at the farmer's market and realized that yes, I was indeed, invited. Sunday morning I went out for a quick bike ride with friends. The picking party was scheduled at 10 a.m. One of the people I was biking with had a mechanical problem, which caused a crash, which caused a small injury and together, it was all enough to end our bike ride. I had to call the husband to come and get us. He was, of course, totally irritated because one, he is totally sick of bike season and the repairs we've had to deal with but this was going to make him late for the pickling party. Anyway, we got through it all and I think we were only about 20 minutes late for pickling.
I wasn't sure exactly what I was in store for. The first thing they handed me when we (finally!) arrived was a mimosa!
This might turn out to be okay! We had three bushels of cucumbers
I didn't know exactly what three bushels of cucumbers meant but I sure do now. I was the official cutter. Wow! That's a lot of cucumbers. I thought my fingers were going to be stained green for days to come. The little ones too, so there was plenty of cutting and slicing.
We had appetizers. Good appetizers too!
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| Zucchini Fritters |
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| Smoked salmon |
In the end, I think we had 106 jars of pickles. All different varieties, fryers, dill, bread and butter, zesty, etc. etc. etc. All the garlic, dill and onions came from the guys garden as well.
What a party! Who knew pickling could be SO much fun! We were invited to the peach party in September. The guys that do it all have peach trees AND they have white peach trees too. My favorite! The pickling party left me with a headache Monday morning (we got pickled too) but it was worth it. I can't wait for the peach party!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
New Buffalo, MI
Around the middle of July, it worked out that both kids would be gone the week of July 22. I was ready for a break and feeling beach deprived by that time so I booked a room at Marina Grand Resort for a couple nights. I booked a room (instead of a campsite) to give the husband a break from pulling the trailer all over. The husband can commute to work pretty easily, actually very easily. It's a longer drive but he makes it in the same amount of time as he does from home because there isn't any traffic. It's a bit easier for him to get ready for work in a hotel room than it is from a campsite, another reason I booked a room.
We were at the Warren Dunes the weekend before, it was hot and the lake felt great. We headed over on Tuesday and I woke up that morning to the Chicago weather man talking about a cold front moving in from the North and dangerous conditions on the lake. 15 foot waves and dangerous rip tides. What? Why now? Sure enough, I think the high on Wednesday was maybe 70 and the wind was horrible. I assumed that meant paddleboarding was out for the week and I was right. Packing was a little different. I had to think about how to pack for traveling when it doesn't involve my trailer. I have everything in the trailer, all I pack for camping trips is clothes and food. I had to find nice clothes, not camping attire and I had to make two trips to the drugstore for things I forgot. It sort of felt like that first trip of the season when I forgotsome everything.
I went for a chilly bike ride in the morning, I had to pedal fast to stay warm. I'm more of a trail rider, the biking around New Buffalo isn't great for me. There is a bike route but some of the back roads are windy and narrow and I don't trust that people pay that much attention. To get any serious amount of riding in, I would have had to load the bike up and head north to find some good trails.
I spent the rest of that day at the pool. It turned out to be an okay afternoon for the pool, but not in the water. I stayed in the sun and I finished the book I was reading, The Midnight Room by Ed Gorman. Great book!
Thursday I spent the majority of the day at the beach! It was cool still but the wind had died down. Good thing it wasn't blistering hot because the lake was freezing by then. I came home Friday morning with my need for the beach fulfilled so I guess that means it was a successful trip!
We were at the Warren Dunes the weekend before, it was hot and the lake felt great. We headed over on Tuesday and I woke up that morning to the Chicago weather man talking about a cold front moving in from the North and dangerous conditions on the lake. 15 foot waves and dangerous rip tides. What? Why now? Sure enough, I think the high on Wednesday was maybe 70 and the wind was horrible. I assumed that meant paddleboarding was out for the week and I was right. Packing was a little different. I had to think about how to pack for traveling when it doesn't involve my trailer. I have everything in the trailer, all I pack for camping trips is clothes and food. I had to find nice clothes, not camping attire and I had to make two trips to the drugstore for things I forgot. It sort of felt like that first trip of the season when I forgot
I went for a chilly bike ride in the morning, I had to pedal fast to stay warm. I'm more of a trail rider, the biking around New Buffalo isn't great for me. There is a bike route but some of the back roads are windy and narrow and I don't trust that people pay that much attention. To get any serious amount of riding in, I would have had to load the bike up and head north to find some good trails.
I spent the rest of that day at the pool. It turned out to be an okay afternoon for the pool, but not in the water. I stayed in the sun and I finished the book I was reading, The Midnight Room by Ed Gorman. Great book!
Thursday I spent the majority of the day at the beach! It was cool still but the wind had died down. Good thing it wasn't blistering hot because the lake was freezing by then. I came home Friday morning with my need for the beach fulfilled so I guess that means it was a successful trip!
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Overnight at Warren Dunes
In the early spring or maybe late winter I was looking at my calendar and two things stood out to me. First, I had two weekends with nothing planned in July. That just seems like a waste of a summer weekend to me. Second, with everything I did have planned, I didn't have a beach day. I know I've said it before but here's the deal...I love the sun and I love the beach! I knew by the time summer sports wrapped up I would be dying for beach time so I got online and booked a site at Warren Dunes State Park. Warren Dunes is one of my fav places, I don't know if I could bear to go through a summer without a visit. The beach is so pretty and so close to home, it's an easy drive. The dunes are fun to climb up and the river that goes back to the clay always provides plenty of entertainment (translation: people watching). By the time I was doing all of this, I could only get a site for Saturday night, another overnight camping trip!
I told all of our friends, beach day July 20, put it on your calendar! When it came time to go, it worked out that just half of one family could go. Our friend (who doesn't camp) and her freshman daughter along with six of her friends met us there and spent the day. None of those kids had ever been to the Dunes before so I filled them in on what to do and they were off! Not to be seen again until they needed food and water. Neither of our kids went for different reasons so it was kind of funny to have all these girls running around. We had lunch ourselves and then headed to the beach. It was hot and had been really hot for a week or so, the lake felt great!
This was the first time we had ever camped at the State Park. In the past, we've camped around there in private campgrounds then just drove to the park. The campground itself is kind of narrow so it makes navigating with a long trailer behind a big pickup a little tricky. The sight I had reserved was just at the beginning and a corner lot so the husband got the trailer in pretty quickly and easily. If we had been back further in the campground, it would have been a nightmare! The campground was full so there were cars, people and other various camping paraphernalia scattered around a very narrow campground.
Our friend and her kids all loaded up and went home, leaving us to ourselves. We had some dinner then just hung out. The husband said so this is what camping is like when my wife doesn't have 30 activities planned! Hmmm, I think he is bitter about the bike repairs from Devil's Lake.
The trailer is parked now until it's time to head to Table Rock!
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| Warren Dunes State Park |
I told all of our friends, beach day July 20, put it on your calendar! When it came time to go, it worked out that just half of one family could go. Our friend (who doesn't camp) and her freshman daughter along with six of her friends met us there and spent the day. None of those kids had ever been to the Dunes before so I filled them in on what to do and they were off! Not to be seen again until they needed food and water. Neither of our kids went for different reasons so it was kind of funny to have all these girls running around. We had lunch ourselves and then headed to the beach. It was hot and had been really hot for a week or so, the lake felt great!
This was the first time we had ever camped at the State Park. In the past, we've camped around there in private campgrounds then just drove to the park. The campground itself is kind of narrow so it makes navigating with a long trailer behind a big pickup a little tricky. The sight I had reserved was just at the beginning and a corner lot so the husband got the trailer in pretty quickly and easily. If we had been back further in the campground, it would have been a nightmare! The campground was full so there were cars, people and other various camping paraphernalia scattered around a very narrow campground.
Our friend and her kids all loaded up and went home, leaving us to ourselves. We had some dinner then just hung out. The husband said so this is what camping is like when my wife doesn't have 30 activities planned! Hmmm, I think he is bitter about the bike repairs from Devil's Lake.
The trailer is parked now until it's time to head to Table Rock!
Monday, July 22, 2013
Devil's Lake
Devil's Lake is one of my new favorite places! What a great park, there is so much to do around there. All this time we've lived here and we've never been there until this summer! It's an easy drive for us, about three hours.
We camped at Baraboo Hills Campground. Nice campground, nice amenities and lots of entertainment, especially for families with younger kids.
Friday night, I took boy #2 on a kayaking tour of the lake with the naturalist. When we got to the park, there was a fish fry and a live band next to the lake. Kayaking on flat water is incredibly boring but for boy #2 it was just the right length of time and level of difficulty. We learned a little about the history of the lake, I'm always interested in the history of places we visit. At least, when there is something interesting to learn.
The sun set on our kayak tour of the lake and we headed over to the campsite for a late dinner then to bed. Rock climbing at 7 a.m.! We used a guide, Devil's Lake Climbing Guides, we have never climbed before so we don't have equipment or knowledge. Nick was our guide and he was great, really nice guy, fun to hang out with.
We started with talus scrambling. I guess that's the rock climbing term for climbing up the big rocks without ropes. There is a path that goes around these rocks, to the bottom of the bluffs but Nick said it was easier to go this way.
Hmmm. I'm not sure I totally agree with that but we did it. The kids went right up and over without any trouble, I was a little slower. It's pretty high at the top, I had to stay focused on where I was going, not where I came from because it was a little unnerving for me. Anyway, we did finally make it to the real climbing.
We climbed for several hours but ended up cutting it a little short so we could get off to Devil's Lake Resort for some mountain biking. In July and August the chair lifts are running up to the top of the ski hill so you can mountain bike down.
This was loads of fun, however, we did come back with two broken bikes. Boy #2 crashed at the very end of a trail and the teenager did who only knows what, his chain and gears were messed up. That was it for biking! I wanted to ride the trails at Devil's Lake State park on Sunday but I was the only with an operational bike so we skipped that. Next year! Bike repairs in this house put the husband over the edge, he was pretty crabby when we were loading up the bikes to head back to the campsite.
Sunday morning the husband fished the WI river. About 9 a.m. he called and said he wanted to stay again Sun night and head back Mon! Shut the front door! Really? That never happens, I always want to stay and he always wants to go home. Anyway, that gave me some extra time to take my SUP over to Devil's Lake Sunday afternoon.
We got back and dropped the teenagers bike off at the shop, I had loads of laundry to do but all that's okay. Pay to play, right? Devil's Lake is on our list of favorite places and will be one that we return too often! I can't wait to head back next summer. Maybe, if I'm really lucky, we'll go back in the fall...fingers crossed! Isn't there something to fish for in the fall?
We camped at Baraboo Hills Campground. Nice campground, nice amenities and lots of entertainment, especially for families with younger kids.
Friday night, I took boy #2 on a kayaking tour of the lake with the naturalist. When we got to the park, there was a fish fry and a live band next to the lake. Kayaking on flat water is incredibly boring but for boy #2 it was just the right length of time and level of difficulty. We learned a little about the history of the lake, I'm always interested in the history of places we visit. At least, when there is something interesting to learn.
The sun set on our kayak tour of the lake and we headed over to the campsite for a late dinner then to bed. Rock climbing at 7 a.m.! We used a guide, Devil's Lake Climbing Guides, we have never climbed before so we don't have equipment or knowledge. Nick was our guide and he was great, really nice guy, fun to hang out with.
We started with talus scrambling. I guess that's the rock climbing term for climbing up the big rocks without ropes. There is a path that goes around these rocks, to the bottom of the bluffs but Nick said it was easier to go this way.
Hmmm. I'm not sure I totally agree with that but we did it. The kids went right up and over without any trouble, I was a little slower. It's pretty high at the top, I had to stay focused on where I was going, not where I came from because it was a little unnerving for me. Anyway, we did finally make it to the real climbing.
We climbed for several hours but ended up cutting it a little short so we could get off to Devil's Lake Resort for some mountain biking. In July and August the chair lifts are running up to the top of the ski hill so you can mountain bike down.
This was loads of fun, however, we did come back with two broken bikes. Boy #2 crashed at the very end of a trail and the teenager did who only knows what, his chain and gears were messed up. That was it for biking! I wanted to ride the trails at Devil's Lake State park on Sunday but I was the only with an operational bike so we skipped that. Next year! Bike repairs in this house put the husband over the edge, he was pretty crabby when we were loading up the bikes to head back to the campsite.
Sunday morning the husband fished the WI river. About 9 a.m. he called and said he wanted to stay again Sun night and head back Mon! Shut the front door! Really? That never happens, I always want to stay and he always wants to go home. Anyway, that gave me some extra time to take my SUP over to Devil's Lake Sunday afternoon.
We got back and dropped the teenagers bike off at the shop, I had loads of laundry to do but all that's okay. Pay to play, right? Devil's Lake is on our list of favorite places and will be one that we return too often! I can't wait to head back next summer. Maybe, if I'm really lucky, we'll go back in the fall...fingers crossed! Isn't there something to fish for in the fall?
Thursday, July 18, 2013
The 4th at Indiana Beach
We usually spend the week of the 4th camping. Somewhere close so the Husband can get to work. The past few years we have gone to Michigan to stay at the beach. For whatever reason, we decided to go somewhere different this time.
Monticello, IN was it. The amusement park, Indiana Beach, is there so we got a site at one of their campgrounds, Ideal Beach Campground. I didn't love it and I really can't recommend it. The pictures online of the campground are deceiving, it looks really nice but when you get there it's just okay. The maintenance staff at the campground are very nice and the lifeguards at the pool were really nice but there is one manager in particular that is flat out rude and unfriendly. I understood from some of the employees of the campground that the company that owns all of this have really let the campgrounds go downhill. The sites are very narrow, you're really close to the sites next to you. There was a shuttle from the campground to the amusement park that was really nice for everyone to come and go without us having to drive them and there were nice bathrooms. It's expensive also. The most expensive campground we've ever stayed at.
The amusement park is in serious disrepair. The bathrooms are disgusting and some of the rides look like they are on their last leg. I mean they really look unsafe. There is a waterpark at the amusement park, I just told everyone to stay away from it. What a shame too, the town appears to be built around that amusement park. It could be great and for an amusement park, it's not crazy expensive but it does need maintenance, repair and upgrading right now.
The weather was not great for most of the week. I guess it worked out that we weren't in Michigan because it would have been cold and miserable. We did get out on the lake some. Lake Shafer is the lake, it's actually a damned up river. There is a lot of debris in the water, you really have to watch what you're doing. We rented a boat at Lake Shafer Boat Rentals and went out with the wave runners. Again, the weather was not great so I was actually a little bored and wanted to get off the boat after a few hours.
We rented kayaks from Hodges Canoe Trips. It rained. The whole way. Not just a little rain either. I thought it was going to start hailing at one point. I was freezing, I have never been so glad to get out of a kayak in all my life! The teenager says his kayaking career is over, he is officially retired and will gladly go fishing from now on instead of kayaking. It's funny now, of course, but at the time it was absolutely miserable.
Oh well! Even though we aren't returning to this area, we did have some fun. There are some memories, some good, some not so much. The teenager can complain about the kayaking trip and we all know that teenagers need something to complain about!
Monticello, IN was it. The amusement park, Indiana Beach, is there so we got a site at one of their campgrounds, Ideal Beach Campground. I didn't love it and I really can't recommend it. The pictures online of the campground are deceiving, it looks really nice but when you get there it's just okay. The maintenance staff at the campground are very nice and the lifeguards at the pool were really nice but there is one manager in particular that is flat out rude and unfriendly. I understood from some of the employees of the campground that the company that owns all of this have really let the campgrounds go downhill. The sites are very narrow, you're really close to the sites next to you. There was a shuttle from the campground to the amusement park that was really nice for everyone to come and go without us having to drive them and there were nice bathrooms. It's expensive also. The most expensive campground we've ever stayed at.
The amusement park is in serious disrepair. The bathrooms are disgusting and some of the rides look like they are on their last leg. I mean they really look unsafe. There is a waterpark at the amusement park, I just told everyone to stay away from it. What a shame too, the town appears to be built around that amusement park. It could be great and for an amusement park, it's not crazy expensive but it does need maintenance, repair and upgrading right now.
The weather was not great for most of the week. I guess it worked out that we weren't in Michigan because it would have been cold and miserable. We did get out on the lake some. Lake Shafer is the lake, it's actually a damned up river. There is a lot of debris in the water, you really have to watch what you're doing. We rented a boat at Lake Shafer Boat Rentals and went out with the wave runners. Again, the weather was not great so I was actually a little bored and wanted to get off the boat after a few hours.
We rented kayaks from Hodges Canoe Trips. It rained. The whole way. Not just a little rain either. I thought it was going to start hailing at one point. I was freezing, I have never been so glad to get out of a kayak in all my life! The teenager says his kayaking career is over, he is officially retired and will gladly go fishing from now on instead of kayaking. It's funny now, of course, but at the time it was absolutely miserable.
Oh well! Even though we aren't returning to this area, we did have some fun. There are some memories, some good, some not so much. The teenager can complain about the kayaking trip and we all know that teenagers need something to complain about!
Cheese Country Trail and Lake Joy Campground
At the end of June we took a trip to Belmont, WI to ride ATVs on the Cheese Country Trail. We camped at Lake Joy Campground . We had a nice big campsite, three actually, we had friends with us and a lot of vehicles! The campground was extremely accommodating for us. They had several planned activities and nice amenities. We had an RV, our travel trailer, 4 vehicles, 7 ATVs and 2 trailers! We put the empty site in the middle and all the stuff on the end, it worked out perfect. One other nice thing about the campsites is that we were able to pull in one of the campers the other way so our campers were facing together. The sites had plenty of space to work that out.
The weather was not good, Sunday was sunny and warm, of course the day we had to come home. It rained all night Friday off and on so we had to stay inside and watch a movie. It rained Saturday off and on, mostly ON Saturday afternoon when we could have been at the lake. This would have been a lot more fun if we had good weather!
Sunday, June 29, was International Mud Day! Didn't know there was such a thing? Me either, but I know now and I'm always looking for a reason to celebrate something. It's an annual celebration for this family now!
We rolled in Sunday, just in time to get boy #2 to his water polo match, switch the gear from ATVs to wave runners and head out Monday morning on our next trip!
The weather was not good, Sunday was sunny and warm, of course the day we had to come home. It rained all night Friday off and on so we had to stay inside and watch a movie. It rained Saturday off and on, mostly ON Saturday afternoon when we could have been at the lake. This would have been a lot more fun if we had good weather!
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| Lake Joy Campground |
Sunday, June 29, was International Mud Day! Didn't know there was such a thing? Me either, but I know now and I'm always looking for a reason to celebrate something. It's an annual celebration for this family now!
We rolled in Sunday, just in time to get boy #2 to his water polo match, switch the gear from ATVs to wave runners and head out Monday morning on our next trip!
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Sandy Shores, Steak and Cinnamon Rolls
So by now you've probably read about all the fun during our weekend at Silver Lake for Father's Day. We did actually camp while we were there, at Sandy Shores Family Campground. What a great campground! This is one of the nicest, if not THE nicest campground we've ever stayed at.
They have nice paved roads all through the campground, no speeding allowed! Bath houses that are newer and clean, clean at all times. They actually smell clean too! Anyone that follows my blog knows by now that we no longer tent camp BUT staying at a campground with a nice bath house is always a plus. Even though we have a camper with a bathroom, if we are somewhere with a nice bath house we use that instead. It's just easier and it's less for me to clean after we get home. They have full hook up sites too, another bonus! Guests at Sandy Shores have access to their private stretch of beach right across the street from the campground. That was my favorite part, for sure! The beach was really nice, not too crowded and just right across the street.
We made a long weekend of it since it was Father's Day, Thursday to Monday. Sometimes, one of the best parts of camping is eating! I usually feed my family pretty good (all boys = big eaters) but during the craziness of summer activities, especially the first six weeks of summer, home cooked dinners tend to go by the wayside. Camping provides us an opportunity to eat good dinners again!
Dinner Friday night was steak and shrimp kabobs on our new Coleman grill. The grill was the husband's Father's Day gift. Usually I make my own marinade but I was pressed for time so I used Newman's Own dressing to marinate the meat this time around. It was DE-lish! I'm not a beef eater so that review comes directly from my family.
One of my Dad's favorite treats...cinnamon rolls! I always make cinnamon rolls for my kids when we camp. When we got a trailer and oven, it became one of our must have camping treats, I guess because I never make them at home. Usually just out of a can too, but because it was FD I made homemade rolls.
First time I've ever done it but it was super easy. I got the recipe from a blog I follow, Sally's Baking Addiction. I made them at home before we left and they were a big hit! Here's the recipe.
Sandy Shores is five minutes from everything. The bike path is right outside the entrance which allows for a quick easy ride to the ice cream shop, pizza place and all the go karts and rides, etc. Yep, there is all that stuff too, we don't do that but it is there. It was also fun to sit around the fire and watch the parade of vehicles going to and from the dunes. That in itself was almost endless entertainment.
We've been at many campgrounds that have permanent sites or seasonal sites. That isn't appealing to us, we like to go to new places and revisit our favorites. I can see why someone would want something like that at Sandy Shores. It's such a picturesque area with so much fun to offer!
They have nice paved roads all through the campground, no speeding allowed! Bath houses that are newer and clean, clean at all times. They actually smell clean too! Anyone that follows my blog knows by now that we no longer tent camp BUT staying at a campground with a nice bath house is always a plus. Even though we have a camper with a bathroom, if we are somewhere with a nice bath house we use that instead. It's just easier and it's less for me to clean after we get home. They have full hook up sites too, another bonus! Guests at Sandy Shores have access to their private stretch of beach right across the street from the campground. That was my favorite part, for sure! The beach was really nice, not too crowded and just right across the street.
We made a long weekend of it since it was Father's Day, Thursday to Monday. Sometimes, one of the best parts of camping is eating! I usually feed my family pretty good (all boys = big eaters) but during the craziness of summer activities, especially the first six weeks of summer, home cooked dinners tend to go by the wayside. Camping provides us an opportunity to eat good dinners again!
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| Steak kabobs |
One of my Dad's favorite treats...cinnamon rolls! I always make cinnamon rolls for my kids when we camp. When we got a trailer and oven, it became one of our must have camping treats, I guess because I never make them at home. Usually just out of a can too, but because it was FD I made homemade rolls.
First time I've ever done it but it was super easy. I got the recipe from a blog I follow, Sally's Baking Addiction. I made them at home before we left and they were a big hit! Here's the recipe.
Sandy Shores is five minutes from everything. The bike path is right outside the entrance which allows for a quick easy ride to the ice cream shop, pizza place and all the go karts and rides, etc. Yep, there is all that stuff too, we don't do that but it is there. It was also fun to sit around the fire and watch the parade of vehicles going to and from the dunes. That in itself was almost endless entertainment.
We've been at many campgrounds that have permanent sites or seasonal sites. That isn't appealing to us, we like to go to new places and revisit our favorites. I can see why someone would want something like that at Sandy Shores. It's such a picturesque area with so much fun to offer!
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Silver Lake and the Dunes
The husband likes to fish for Father's Day, originally we were going to camp in Ludington (via the S.S. Badger) where the fishing is supposed to be fantastic. Full discloser - I don't fish, I don't want to fish and I don't know anything about it, so when I say that, it's because I read it somewhere. Anyway, after some research, I decided Silver Lake might be better to set up camp to cut out of some of the driving for activities I knew we would be interested in. So, I switched gears and made a reservation at Sandy Shores Campground in Mears, MI. It was a short 30 minute drive off the boat from Ludington. More on the actual camping later...
There is so much to do in the area. We packed our long weekend full of fun and still didn't get to everything! Friday morning we went horseback riding at Rainbow Ranch. The TEENAGER is a little old for this type of riding but he went and seemed to enjoy himself and boy #2 loved it! I really wanted to do the creek ride but with all the rain this spring it wasn't an option, we did the regular trail ride instead. Friday afternoon we went for a ride on the dunes with Mac Wood's. We even got my Dad to go with us! The ride goes by Silver Lake and Lake Michigan and the driver stops along the way with various information about the dunes. When we got to Lake Michigan, fog was rolling in. I'd never seen that before, I thought it was sand blowing at first.
Saturday we rented buggies at Silver Lake Buggy's. When we got out on the dune's, it was like a hidden world, I couldn't believe it. People were parked along the dunes bordering Lake Michigan, there were people drag racing, people just climbing the dunes in whatever vehicles they have and people just park along the borders and hang out and play in the sand. It was a lot of fun, the husband and teenager have decided this is a new sport for them. When we were on the Mac Wood's ride, the driver said on holiday weekends they can get up to 2,000 people out there and that people come from all over the county to get on these dunes.
Sunday the boys all went salmon fishing on Lake Michigan. Both of the boys hated it, but the husband thoroughly enjoyed his Father's Day so that was all that mattered. It's a good thing he enjoyed it too, because I don't think he'll convince either of the boys to do that type of fishing with him again. It's too much of a commitment for them and I think they both got a little sick but everyone caught a fish! I guess that makes it a successful fishing trip? I don't really know.
Sunday afternoon it was sunny and 80 and I spent the whole afternoon at the beach. The best day so far. I used my SUP! I used my beach chair and kept my feet buried in the sand for several hours. I didn't use sunscreen and got a sunburn (I know, I know) but I was just so happy to finally have a hot sunny afternoon, I just wanted to soak in as much sun as I could.
We went to the West Michigan Sand Dragway Saturday night. They started early due to the threat of rain so we missed all the action but it looked like it would be lots of fun to watch.
A bike ride on The Hart-Montague Trail was on my list of things to do Sunday morning while the boys were out fishing. It rained Saturday night so by the time I got things cleaned up and my bike seat dried out, I was expecting the boys back and wanted to head to the beach so I just never made it. Also on my list was a kayaking trip on the White River. Next time!
Sunday late afternoon we went down the road to check out the lighthouse. There are tours available and sometime I would like to do that, but there wasn't time for that on this trip. We had to get back for the Father's Day fish fry!
I love Michigan and this is why! Every time I'm there I just fall in love all over again!
Silver Lake, with it's near endless list of things to do, is a new favorite for this family. I can't wait until I can plan our next visit!
There is so much to do in the area. We packed our long weekend full of fun and still didn't get to everything! Friday morning we went horseback riding at Rainbow Ranch. The TEENAGER is a little old for this type of riding but he went and seemed to enjoy himself and boy #2 loved it! I really wanted to do the creek ride but with all the rain this spring it wasn't an option, we did the regular trail ride instead. Friday afternoon we went for a ride on the dunes with Mac Wood's. We even got my Dad to go with us! The ride goes by Silver Lake and Lake Michigan and the driver stops along the way with various information about the dunes. When we got to Lake Michigan, fog was rolling in. I'd never seen that before, I thought it was sand blowing at first.
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| Lake Michigan |
Saturday we rented buggies at Silver Lake Buggy's. When we got out on the dune's, it was like a hidden world, I couldn't believe it. People were parked along the dunes bordering Lake Michigan, there were people drag racing, people just climbing the dunes in whatever vehicles they have and people just park along the borders and hang out and play in the sand. It was a lot of fun, the husband and teenager have decided this is a new sport for them. When we were on the Mac Wood's ride, the driver said on holiday weekends they can get up to 2,000 people out there and that people come from all over the county to get on these dunes.
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| ORV's in the dunes |
Sunday the boys all went salmon fishing on Lake Michigan. Both of the boys hated it, but the husband thoroughly enjoyed his Father's Day so that was all that mattered. It's a good thing he enjoyed it too, because I don't think he'll convince either of the boys to do that type of fishing with him again. It's too much of a commitment for them and I think they both got a little sick but everyone caught a fish! I guess that makes it a successful fishing trip? I don't really know.
Sunday afternoon it was sunny and 80 and I spent the whole afternoon at the beach. The best day so far. I used my SUP! I used my beach chair and kept my feet buried in the sand for several hours. I didn't use sunscreen and got a sunburn (I know, I know) but I was just so happy to finally have a hot sunny afternoon, I just wanted to soak in as much sun as I could.
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| Silver Lake |
We went to the West Michigan Sand Dragway Saturday night. They started early due to the threat of rain so we missed all the action but it looked like it would be lots of fun to watch.
A bike ride on The Hart-Montague Trail was on my list of things to do Sunday morning while the boys were out fishing. It rained Saturday night so by the time I got things cleaned up and my bike seat dried out, I was expecting the boys back and wanted to head to the beach so I just never made it. Also on my list was a kayaking trip on the White River. Next time!
Sunday late afternoon we went down the road to check out the lighthouse. There are tours available and sometime I would like to do that, but there wasn't time for that on this trip. We had to get back for the Father's Day fish fry!
I love Michigan and this is why! Every time I'm there I just fall in love all over again!
Silver Lake, with it's near endless list of things to do, is a new favorite for this family. I can't wait until I can plan our next visit!
Setting Sail with the S.S. Badger
I'm a sucker for nostalgia. Last summer during one of our camping trips, we ran into a man that told me about the S.S. Badger and he told me at least once, we should experience it during one of our camping trips to Michigan. More on the camping later...
The S.S. Badger sails from Manitowoc, WI to Ludington, MI daily and is celebrating their 60th anniversary this year! It's like a mini cruise, really. There are viewing decks and lounge chairs. It was too cold the day we went for outside viewing, but on a hot sunny day I'm sure it would be great. It's about a 4 hour cruise across the lake.
We played bingo. Boy #2 even won a souvenir glass when he had B.O.! He didn't understand what B.O. meant when he yelled it out, but he does now! We watched Hotel Transylvania in the forward movie lounge. We shopped! We bought t-shirts, stickers and a blanket for the camper. We had lunch, burgers, pizza, cookies. Oh and
the Portside Bar has plenty of drinks! There are state rooms available too. We cruised across the lake in the middle of the day so that wasn't really necessary for our trip. The teenager spent most of his time in the t.v. lounge watching Sports Center. There is a small museum in the quiet room. I found it very interesting, shipwrecks and boats of days gone by that sailed the great lakes are very intriguing to me. The kids weren't interested in that, but I spent about 30 minutes in that room looking at everything. Boy #2 loved the whole experience and was wishing we could take the boat back to WI on the way home.
We camped in MI for the weekend, so we specifically went out of our way to take the S.S. Badger across the lake. Our four hour trip turned into almost six hours because the boat was late, so if you're looking for convenience this may not be the way to do it, but it is something to experience once in your lifetime.
This is the view coming into the Ludington, MI port
What a view!! That just screams SUMMER to me.
The S.S. Badger sails from Manitowoc, WI to Ludington, MI daily and is celebrating their 60th anniversary this year! It's like a mini cruise, really. There are viewing decks and lounge chairs. It was too cold the day we went for outside viewing, but on a hot sunny day I'm sure it would be great. It's about a 4 hour cruise across the lake.
We played bingo. Boy #2 even won a souvenir glass when he had B.O.! He didn't understand what B.O. meant when he yelled it out, but he does now! We watched Hotel Transylvania in the forward movie lounge. We shopped! We bought t-shirts, stickers and a blanket for the camper. We had lunch, burgers, pizza, cookies. Oh and
the Portside Bar has plenty of drinks! There are state rooms available too. We cruised across the lake in the middle of the day so that wasn't really necessary for our trip. The teenager spent most of his time in the t.v. lounge watching Sports Center. There is a small museum in the quiet room. I found it very interesting, shipwrecks and boats of days gone by that sailed the great lakes are very intriguing to me. The kids weren't interested in that, but I spent about 30 minutes in that room looking at everything. Boy #2 loved the whole experience and was wishing we could take the boat back to WI on the way home.
We camped in MI for the weekend, so we specifically went out of our way to take the S.S. Badger across the lake. Our four hour trip turned into almost six hours because the boat was late, so if you're looking for convenience this may not be the way to do it, but it is something to experience once in your lifetime.
This is the view coming into the Ludington, MI port
What a view!! That just screams SUMMER to me.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Illinois PaddleFest 2013
This is how my day started...After a late night at the local watering hole with the husband, I got up early for my group exercise class and decided I should run (or at the very least, walk) there and back. It's only 1.5 miles one way but I had a monster headache so it was challenging. Anyway, I did it, and of course, felt a lot better after. I despise group exercise, I like training one on one with my trainer but the group thing just really isn't for me. I take this class because it's a core class and I need it and the trainer that teaches it is GREAT so I endure.
The Illinois Paddlesports Festival was this weekend in Aurora, IL. A friend and I signed up for two classes, stroke improvement (it's a paddling term) and kayak rolling. The friend totally bailed on me but I still went alone. When I got there to sign in, the class schedule was different from the schedule online. The only rolling class was the earlier time and the later time was all intro classes that wouldn't be appealing to me. After a little switching around, I was in the rolling class. I don't have my own boat but the instructor let me use his.
I did really good at the beginning! I couldn't believe it, really. I flipped myself over and did a wet exit with no problem at all & I was practicing edging with great control. I practiced hip-snaps and it felt great and I wasn't having any trouble flipping the boat back up. The instructor spent a good 30 minutes with me practicing hip-snaps. Then it was time for him to work with someone else so I paddled off for a spin around the lake. I have no idea what I did BUT just like that...I was upside down. I totally panicked too! I couldn't flip the boat over and I couldn't get out of the boat either. There I was in the middle of the lake, flopping around, attached to an upside down kayak, trying to keep my head above water until the instructor could get over and rescue me. It scared me to death! I've never been in water in a situation that scared me like that before. That technique is obviously one that requires a lot of practice, now I totally understand why every single time I've been on the water at Rock Cut State Park, there has been someone in a kayak practicing rolling. Over and over and over.
So now, as I'm typing this, I'm sitting in the chair and my hips are sore, my back is sore and I am exhausted! Much like last weekend when I got home from Rock Cut, but for very different reasons. I'm probably a little sore from my core class and a lot sore from my fiasco in the water today! It also is one of the first really nice summer days we've had in Northern Ill. I went out by myself to learn something new and after all that, I had a great time and I'm glad I went! Maybe next year, I'll be back with my own boat and get in the rolling competition!
The Illinois Paddlesports Festival was this weekend in Aurora, IL. A friend and I signed up for two classes, stroke improvement (it's a paddling term) and kayak rolling. The friend totally bailed on me but I still went alone. When I got there to sign in, the class schedule was different from the schedule online. The only rolling class was the earlier time and the later time was all intro classes that wouldn't be appealing to me. After a little switching around, I was in the rolling class. I don't have my own boat but the instructor let me use his.
I did really good at the beginning! I couldn't believe it, really. I flipped myself over and did a wet exit with no problem at all & I was practicing edging with great control. I practiced hip-snaps and it felt great and I wasn't having any trouble flipping the boat back up. The instructor spent a good 30 minutes with me practicing hip-snaps. Then it was time for him to work with someone else so I paddled off for a spin around the lake. I have no idea what I did BUT just like that...I was upside down. I totally panicked too! I couldn't flip the boat over and I couldn't get out of the boat either. There I was in the middle of the lake, flopping around, attached to an upside down kayak, trying to keep my head above water until the instructor could get over and rescue me. It scared me to death! I've never been in water in a situation that scared me like that before. That technique is obviously one that requires a lot of practice, now I totally understand why every single time I've been on the water at Rock Cut State Park, there has been someone in a kayak practicing rolling. Over and over and over.
So now, as I'm typing this, I'm sitting in the chair and my hips are sore, my back is sore and I am exhausted! Much like last weekend when I got home from Rock Cut, but for very different reasons. I'm probably a little sore from my core class and a lot sore from my fiasco in the water today! It also is one of the first really nice summer days we've had in Northern Ill. I went out by myself to learn something new and after all that, I had a great time and I'm glad I went! Maybe next year, I'll be back with my own boat and get in the rolling competition!
Friday, June 7, 2013
Breakfast Pizza
As promised in my post about the kayak race, here is the recipe for the breakfast pizza! I love this recipe, I make it quite often. It's easy, fast and feeds a crowd. It also travels well and is as good cold as it is hot!
1 lb pork sausage - cooked, crumbled and drained
1 package refrigerated crescent rolls or dough sheets
1 cup frozen hash browns - thawed
1 cup shredded cheese - sharp cheddar or Colby Jack
3 eggs - beaten with a 1/4 cup milk and salt & pepper to season
Spread dough on pizza pan or cookie sheet. Make the dough as thin or as thick as you like, as big or as small as you like. I like mine thin, so I usually use a half sheet pan and 1 full can of crescent dough sheets. Sometimes I use part of another can around the edges and corners. If you're using crescent rolls you will have to push each roll together to close up the seams.
Spread the sausage over the dough, then the hash browns and cheese. Pour the egg mixture over all. Bake at 375 degrees 15-20 minutes, or until eggs are set. This will depend on how thick you make your pizza, the thicker (or smaller the pan) the longer the bake time.
Full discloser - I have no idea where this recipe originated. I got it from my mother many years ago.
Enjoy!
1 lb pork sausage - cooked, crumbled and drained
1 package refrigerated crescent rolls or dough sheets
1 cup frozen hash browns - thawed
1 cup shredded cheese - sharp cheddar or Colby Jack
3 eggs - beaten with a 1/4 cup milk and salt & pepper to season
Spread dough on pizza pan or cookie sheet. Make the dough as thin or as thick as you like, as big or as small as you like. I like mine thin, so I usually use a half sheet pan and 1 full can of crescent dough sheets. Sometimes I use part of another can around the edges and corners. If you're using crescent rolls you will have to push each roll together to close up the seams.
Spread the sausage over the dough, then the hash browns and cheese. Pour the egg mixture over all. Bake at 375 degrees 15-20 minutes, or until eggs are set. This will depend on how thick you make your pizza, the thicker (or smaller the pan) the longer the bake time.
Full discloser - I have no idea where this recipe originated. I got it from my mother many years ago.
Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Off To The Races...
Kayak races that is! 2nd annual for this family but 52nd annual for the Fox Valley Park District. This is a lot of fun, hundreds and hundreds of people come out every year for this amazingly well organized event! The Mid-American Canoe and Kayak Race.
I'm not sure I could have done anything that involved my legs after Saturday so this worked out perfect! I got up & dressed for a hot day on the river, came down for my morning coffee and to get breakfast started only to realize it was 49 degrees outside! Say What??!!
I got the breakfast pizza in the oven...recipe here
and managed a quick wardrobe change, had to put on longer pants and another layer, just in time for the crew to show up. Both of the boys go and usually various friends. This year our family friends, known as "the girls", joined in the fun. The husband usually tags along and after we get going he sets off down river to find a fishing spot along our route. The TEENAGER complained about going (shocking I know), Boy #2 was ecstatic (he went solo this year) and the girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They usually do!
There are two distances, we do the shorter one that is 6 miles (I think?) with only 1 portage. We all got through it, everyone stayed in the boats and in the girls vs. boys race...
The GIRLS BEAT the TEENAGER by 5 seconds. He thought the race was over when you got out of the water so he passed them quick at the end and hurried to get out but the race actually ended at the finish line which was just past the bridge. I guess he doesn't know everything yet. I stayed pretty close to boy #2 and we didn't break any speed records but he did go the distance by himself.
Lunch and beer after shaped the day up pretty nicely. You just can't beat a good day on the river!
I'm not sure I could have done anything that involved my legs after Saturday so this worked out perfect! I got up & dressed for a hot day on the river, came down for my morning coffee and to get breakfast started only to realize it was 49 degrees outside! Say What??!!
I got the breakfast pizza in the oven...recipe here
and managed a quick wardrobe change, had to put on longer pants and another layer, just in time for the crew to show up. Both of the boys go and usually various friends. This year our family friends, known as "the girls", joined in the fun. The husband usually tags along and after we get going he sets off down river to find a fishing spot along our route. The TEENAGER complained about going (shocking I know), Boy #2 was ecstatic (he went solo this year) and the girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They usually do!
There are two distances, we do the shorter one that is 6 miles (I think?) with only 1 portage. We all got through it, everyone stayed in the boats and in the girls vs. boys race...
The GIRLS BEAT the TEENAGER by 5 seconds. He thought the race was over when you got out of the water so he passed them quick at the end and hurried to get out but the race actually ended at the finish line which was just past the bridge. I guess he doesn't know everything yet. I stayed pretty close to boy #2 and we didn't break any speed records but he did go the distance by himself.
Lunch and beer after shaped the day up pretty nicely. You just can't beat a good day on the river!
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
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...
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...
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Memorial Day Weekend 2013
We didn't do any camping this holiday weekend BUT we did have a great weekend at the farm in Missouri! We love these weekends as much as camping and it's a lot like camping...
We got in a trap shooting contest. I serve as the official scorekeeper and thrower. The teenager and husband have all these convoluted rules, I can't really even keep up with it all, they are both hugely competitive so there is usually some bickering about the score. Anyway, the teenager won, by several points.
We fished. The teenager actually caught a good size catfish which was shocking to me. The dog went with us (need I say more?) She was swimming and jumping and repeatedly getting tangled up in the line. I don't really know anything about fishing, except that every time I've been someone is always telling me to be quite so I don't scare the fish away.
The next morning the dog was sick...she recovered quickly and lived to tell about it
We visited Warm Springs Ranch, the the breeding facility for the Budweiser Clydesdale's. WOW! What an amazing facility. Foaling season is January to July, so they did have two babies for us to see.
I took off on my own for a bike ride on the Katy Trail. I got in 20 miles, that's the most I've done so far this season and it felt great! Lots of people on the trail and they all looked like they were having loads of fun. While I was riding, I mentally added riding across the state on the trail to my bucket list. There are places to camp along the way, B&B's and wineries. The husband wouldn't do it but I think I have at least one friend that would do it. That is a few years off still, I guess that means I have ample time to plan!
Now, we're home for the week. The dog is headed to the groomer, the ticks have all been removed, the dirt has all been washed away, there are loads of laundry to be done.
Just Like Camping!
We got in a trap shooting contest. I serve as the official scorekeeper and thrower. The teenager and husband have all these convoluted rules, I can't really even keep up with it all, they are both hugely competitive so there is usually some bickering about the score. Anyway, the teenager won, by several points.
 |
| My official seat for the trap contests |
 |
| The dog |
We visited Warm Springs Ranch, the the breeding facility for the Budweiser Clydesdale's. WOW! What an amazing facility. Foaling season is January to July, so they did have two babies for us to see.
 |
| 5 days old! |
I took off on my own for a bike ride on the Katy Trail. I got in 20 miles, that's the most I've done so far this season and it felt great! Lots of people on the trail and they all looked like they were having loads of fun. While I was riding, I mentally added riding across the state on the trail to my bucket list. There are places to camp along the way, B&B's and wineries. The husband wouldn't do it but I think I have at least one friend that would do it. That is a few years off still, I guess that means I have ample time to plan!
 |
| My view from the top of Booslick Bridge, Boonville, MO |
Now, we're home for the week. The dog is headed to the groomer, the ticks have all been removed, the dirt has all been washed away, there are loads of laundry to be done.
Just Like Camping!
Friday, May 17, 2013
FINALLY! It's Camping Season
High school sports are winding down, spring sports for the younger set are almost finished, preparation for finals has started, we have spring weather in the upper Midwest at last, single digit countdown to the last day of school has started. Finally!! It's camping season!
My new lake house arrived a few weeks ago! I said that to my neighbor and he said I just needed a lake. Isn't that the point? I can go to any lake I want too?
The TEENAGER even approved. At least, temporarily. He had a sleepover in it in the driveway. Now he's back to complaining about how much he hates to camp. True to my word, I let them have a T.V. in their bunk room and I will let them take their video games. Of course only to be used at night, after dark. I think the teenager will change his tune on some of our trips this summer, I have lots of fun stuff planned. If not, hopefully he can afford his counseling as an adult to repair all the damage his parents have done by making him (gasp!) CAMP.
Our first trip is exactly 14 days away! It's a short one but I'll still take it. Originally, I planned this around seeing the Blue Angels at the local airshow. Instead of that, we're going to check out the local water ski show team. The mountain biking and fishing are great, this is a repeat park for us. Sunday we participate in an annual kayak race closer to home so we will head back Saturday sometime. Overnight camping trip basically but it still should be a busy, fun weekend! Well, for all of us except the teenager of course.
Father's Day is the first really big trip, then it's off to the races for the rest of the summer!! Here's hoping for a hot summer full of great weather and safe travels!
My new lake house arrived a few weeks ago! I said that to my neighbor and he said I just needed a lake. Isn't that the point? I can go to any lake I want too?
The TEENAGER even approved. At least, temporarily. He had a sleepover in it in the driveway. Now he's back to complaining about how much he hates to camp. True to my word, I let them have a T.V. in their bunk room and I will let them take their video games. Of course only to be used at night, after dark. I think the teenager will change his tune on some of our trips this summer, I have lots of fun stuff planned. If not, hopefully he can afford his counseling as an adult to repair all the damage his parents have done by making him (gasp!) CAMP.
Our first trip is exactly 14 days away! It's a short one but I'll still take it. Originally, I planned this around seeing the Blue Angels at the local airshow. Instead of that, we're going to check out the local water ski show team. The mountain biking and fishing are great, this is a repeat park for us. Sunday we participate in an annual kayak race closer to home so we will head back Saturday sometime. Overnight camping trip basically but it still should be a busy, fun weekend! Well, for all of us except the teenager of course.
Father's Day is the first really big trip, then it's off to the races for the rest of the summer!! Here's hoping for a hot summer full of great weather and safe travels!
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Movin on up!
We are moving into a new trailer!
Today was packing day and it's kind of funny to me
When I finally wrestled the basket out of the cabinet, I found four hundred and fifty three forks. Did I anticipate a fork shortage last summer? Did I anticipate four hundred and fifty three dinner guests at the campground? I wouldn't have been able to get them out of the cabinet in short order so no matter what the emergency, fork response would have been slow
This was our movie selection for one camping trips in Michigan. We put the younger kids to bed and had scary movie night with the teenagers. Now, when I was a kid, these movies scared the daylights out of me. I thought these would be perfect to watch with teenagers to scare them. Turns out, the most memorable part of these movies was the soft core porn...memorable for the teenagers of course, embarrassing for me. They haven't let me forget it either, "inappropriate" is their adjective of choice.
One of my favorite trips of the year, and usually the last, is Halloween. So when I walked in the camper this was spread out on our bed, apparently, exactly where I left it last October. It's one of those window covers, you see the spider from the outside at night when the lights inside are on. I guess I wasn't concerned about cleaning the camper up after that trip?!? It was cold, I kind of remember thinking I could just deal with it in the spring. Probably the same temperature it is today but in March that is a lot warmer than it is in October.
It's funny how moving out of a camper is kind of like moving out of a house. The "stuff" reminds you of experiences and the rooms hold memories. It also proves true that it doesn't matter how much space you have, you will find something to put in it!
Today was packing day and it's kind of funny to me
When I finally wrestled the basket out of the cabinet, I found four hundred and fifty three forks. Did I anticipate a fork shortage last summer? Did I anticipate four hundred and fifty three dinner guests at the campground? I wouldn't have been able to get them out of the cabinet in short order so no matter what the emergency, fork response would have been slow
This was our movie selection for one camping trips in Michigan. We put the younger kids to bed and had scary movie night with the teenagers. Now, when I was a kid, these movies scared the daylights out of me. I thought these would be perfect to watch with teenagers to scare them. Turns out, the most memorable part of these movies was the soft core porn...memorable for the teenagers of course, embarrassing for me. They haven't let me forget it either, "inappropriate" is their adjective of choice.
One of my favorite trips of the year, and usually the last, is Halloween. So when I walked in the camper this was spread out on our bed, apparently, exactly where I left it last October. It's one of those window covers, you see the spider from the outside at night when the lights inside are on. I guess I wasn't concerned about cleaning the camper up after that trip?!? It was cold, I kind of remember thinking I could just deal with it in the spring. Probably the same temperature it is today but in March that is a lot warmer than it is in October.
It's funny how moving out of a camper is kind of like moving out of a house. The "stuff" reminds you of experiences and the rooms hold memories. It also proves true that it doesn't matter how much space you have, you will find something to put in it!
Friday, March 29, 2013
Spring Break
I've had a brain freeze and haven't been able to post anything. We're finally thawing in the Midwest. We had spring break this week. The teenager made his high school baseball team so our spring break went out the window for the most part, but we did get a long weekend, four days, so we made the best of it. We visited family in Mid-Missouri and brought along an extra teenager. We're fortunate enough to have a farm in the family that provides endless entertainment.
Space is limited when we visit so we have to be creative, especially when we have extra kids. Thankfully, my family are campers as well!
This is how we do the guest house Missouri style:
Whatever works! The kids like it. They have their own quarters. They did run out of propane the last night so it got chilly. Two of the three came over to the house in the early morning hours but the third one stuck it out in the cold trailer. I think he was happy to finally have it to himself!
It was cold while we were there and the wind was terrible! I didn't spend a lot of time outside (or any), I only went outside when I absolutely had too but the kids still managed to have fun.
We got a spring snow storm on Sunday
I couldn't believe it! We hardly ever get snow like that in Missouri and it was the end of March on our spring break. We headed home to Northern Illinois on Monday. We didn't get any snow up here. We must have passed 15 campers on the highway. I wonder where they were headed? Picking up their campers for the season or were they headed South to warmer weather?
This all left me longing for our first camping trip and warmer weather. May 31st is the first trip for us, it seems like a lifetime away. I'm trying to work one in earlier in May, Mother's Day maybe? I don't think the baseball schedule will allow for it but time will tell.
Space is limited when we visit so we have to be creative, especially when we have extra kids. Thankfully, my family are campers as well!
This is how we do the guest house Missouri style:
Whatever works! The kids like it. They have their own quarters. They did run out of propane the last night so it got chilly. Two of the three came over to the house in the early morning hours but the third one stuck it out in the cold trailer. I think he was happy to finally have it to himself!
It was cold while we were there and the wind was terrible! I didn't spend a lot of time outside (or any), I only went outside when I absolutely had too but the kids still managed to have fun.
We got a spring snow storm on Sunday
I couldn't believe it! We hardly ever get snow like that in Missouri and it was the end of March on our spring break. We headed home to Northern Illinois on Monday. We didn't get any snow up here. We must have passed 15 campers on the highway. I wonder where they were headed? Picking up their campers for the season or were they headed South to warmer weather?
This all left me longing for our first camping trip and warmer weather. May 31st is the first trip for us, it seems like a lifetime away. I'm trying to work one in earlier in May, Mother's Day maybe? I don't think the baseball schedule will allow for it but time will tell.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Table Rock State Park
I heard the birds singing yesterday, it was music to my ears! We're also in the midst of the largest snow storm of the season for Northern Illinois. Oh well...camping season will eventually arrive.
I recently read an article on www.campingroadtrip.com about the Ozarks so I thought I would post something about our families favorite camping spot in that area, Table Rock State Park. I grew up in the Ozarks, I've spent time on many of the lakes in the region and time in many of the parks. My hands down favorite is Table Rock Lake and Table Rock State Park. We vacation there every summer. The lake is so pretty and blue, because the bottom is rock instead of dirt, the water is clean and clear!
Table Rock State Park has two campgrounds available to campers. We prefer campground #2. The campsites are all relatively flat and the campground is clean and well maintained. There are laundry facilities available for a longer stay. There is a bike path around the park and lake access from other points besides just the marina. The campsites are spacious so there is room for all of the gear that comes along with a camping/lake vacation. There are family campsites, which are bigger than normal also. We never use those, I find the regular campsites adequate for us but it is an option available for larger families.
We usually check in on a Sunday and boat Monday through Thursday. The lake isn't as crowded during the week, making it safer for tubing, wakeboarding and skiing. We rent our boat right there at the marina and when we have the same boat for multiple days, they allow us to store our gear right on the boat. The campground is a 30 second drive from the marina. We usually are dragging coolers and towels, etc. so we drive but you really could walk right from the campground to the marina. Cliff jumping is a favorite activity for my boys when we're boating, especially the TEENAGER. We hang out in the boat in the cove around the cliffs while they swim off and climb up the side of the cliffs and JUMP. That usually provides a few hours of entertainment, at least as long as we're willing to sit and watch.
When we get off the lake towards the end of the week, nearby Branson provides endless entertainment. Go Karts are usually a must do attraction. There are some faster tracks for the older set that provide some friendly competition. The amusement park, Silver Dollar City, and water park, White Water are lots of fun. They are small, but just big enough for us. There is always the bike path at the park. You can rent bikes right there at the park if you aren't interested in transporting yours. The anglers in the family spend a day, sometimes two, out with a guide fishing Taneycomo. There are many guides in the area and I think they just about all pick up right there at the Park in their fishing boat.
This is always on our list of summer camping spots! We have created so many great memories at Table Rock Lake. It is the highlight of our summer camping and my favorite vacation spot.
I recently read an article on www.campingroadtrip.com about the Ozarks so I thought I would post something about our families favorite camping spot in that area, Table Rock State Park. I grew up in the Ozarks, I've spent time on many of the lakes in the region and time in many of the parks. My hands down favorite is Table Rock Lake and Table Rock State Park. We vacation there every summer. The lake is so pretty and blue, because the bottom is rock instead of dirt, the water is clean and clear!
Table Rock State Park has two campgrounds available to campers. We prefer campground #2. The campsites are all relatively flat and the campground is clean and well maintained. There are laundry facilities available for a longer stay. There is a bike path around the park and lake access from other points besides just the marina. The campsites are spacious so there is room for all of the gear that comes along with a camping/lake vacation. There are family campsites, which are bigger than normal also. We never use those, I find the regular campsites adequate for us but it is an option available for larger families.
We usually check in on a Sunday and boat Monday through Thursday. The lake isn't as crowded during the week, making it safer for tubing, wakeboarding and skiing. We rent our boat right there at the marina and when we have the same boat for multiple days, they allow us to store our gear right on the boat. The campground is a 30 second drive from the marina. We usually are dragging coolers and towels, etc. so we drive but you really could walk right from the campground to the marina. Cliff jumping is a favorite activity for my boys when we're boating, especially the TEENAGER. We hang out in the boat in the cove around the cliffs while they swim off and climb up the side of the cliffs and JUMP. That usually provides a few hours of entertainment, at least as long as we're willing to sit and watch.
When we get off the lake towards the end of the week, nearby Branson provides endless entertainment. Go Karts are usually a must do attraction. There are some faster tracks for the older set that provide some friendly competition. The amusement park, Silver Dollar City, and water park, White Water are lots of fun. They are small, but just big enough for us. There is always the bike path at the park. You can rent bikes right there at the park if you aren't interested in transporting yours. The anglers in the family spend a day, sometimes two, out with a guide fishing Taneycomo. There are many guides in the area and I think they just about all pick up right there at the Park in their fishing boat.
This is always on our list of summer camping spots! We have created so many great memories at Table Rock Lake. It is the highlight of our summer camping and my favorite vacation spot.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Just the Facts
Since this is the first post I'm making to this blog, I thought I'd start with some of the facts. I LOVE to camp! I
love to travel but I especially love to load up my trailer and take off for a
weekend. A new and exciting destination
or a tried and true standby, either way is fine. I find staying home day after day very
boring. I guess that’s one of the reasons
I enjoy camping so much, we are not independently wealthy, I’m a stay at home
mother and my husband works. If I’m to
take to the road as much as I like too, I better find affordable ways to do
it! We live in Northern Illinois; a two
hour drive will take us to Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana or Southern
Illinois. There are so many places to
explore and so many outdoor activities available to us in this region.
I also love to be outside and I’m always drawn to water. I love to hike, kayak, SUP and bike all day
and by night; sit around a campfire with an ice cold beer. My oldest child is a high
school athlete who prevents me from being out and about as much as I’d like, but
I’ve learned to go with the flow. Sometimes
we camp within an hour of home so that I can drive him back and forth for camps
and practices. We spend a lot of time
camping over the summer months and my husband commutes to work from the campground. Really, what’s the difference? Commute from home or commute from a
campground? Obviously, my husband also
happens to be a really good sport about most everything and is almost always up
for an adventure!
Now that my kids are older, camping has changed, but that’s
yet another benefit. Camping is
adaptable, as your family gets older; you change the locations and activities
to adapt. We often take extra kids and
we seek out locations with activities appealing to teenagers or older kids. This year some of our camping trips will
include rock climbing and riding ATV’s.
Those are new camping experiences and obviously not for a young
family. So far, that seems interesting
enough that even the TEENAGER has not yet started to complain about going.
As I’m typing this, there is a snow storm sweeping
through the Midwest. We really do need
this snow for our lakes and rivers that I love so much, but I am ready for
spring! Camping season will not come
fast enough in the Midwest!
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