Camping Premiere

We camped this weekend.  We've had this trip planned for months.  It was our season debut.  The camping premiere.  All week we watched the weather forecast and every day the chances for rain increased.  Most people would cancel at 70% chance of rain.  Not us.  We loaded up and headed for the beautiful Village Creek State Park in our home state of Arkansas. It's about an hour and a half from our house and we left Thursday night.  3 day weekend..yeah!  It did rain.  But we had the best time in spite of that. There were 28 of us and we hiked, fished, swam in freezing cold water and we ate.............. ALOT. 

We take camping very serious.  My son says we have all the camping equipment from any aisle in any sports department.  I'm sure there is something we are missing that I could find though :)

I have a confession to make.  I have a 50 gallon tote that holds decorative pillows, quilts, pretty sheets and wool blankets. 
AND THAT'S ALL IT HOLDS......................................................................................

Sigh.................

Of course you have to have a chalkboard at camp. And cards.  Because that's what we do late at night.  Play cards. And sit around the campfire and make new memories.

With old friends..............and family. To be honest it's hard to tell who is who.  Friends blend into family and family can make the best of friends.

 We blend into a beautiful tapestry of diverse personalities.  And the new members of our crazy clan bring there own special talents.

Take this guy for example...Can you say COOK?  Anthony was the camp chef and he has mad skills at the griddle AND grill.  He was amazing!!!!!

Have you ever noticed that camp food is some of the most amazing meals you have ever consumed?

We had steak, foil packs, homemade ice cream, huge breakfasts, dutch oven  peach cobbler, beans, coffee, hot chocolate, camp potatoes and the occasional sandwich.... but for the most part, Anthony kept the grill and griddle hot.  (Much to our delight!!!)

We have some beautiful parks here in Arkansas. Everything was a beautiful dewy shade of green this weekend as we hiked the trails.

 God is the ultimate artist is he not?

 Being in his creation and sharing it with the special people in your life is a wonderful blessing.
Even in the rain.

Because even when you're wet you can cozy up to the camp fire.

and make smores.

Or just play in the fire..............

My son is 20 years old now.  We have many memories of camping and he has a great love for the outdoors. To quote his four year old self on our first camping trip to this very park.....

"Mom, this is the greatest day of my life."

 It's been some of the greatest days of mine too.

  Because moments like this are priceless ;)))))))))

(That's my husband and one of my best friends btw)

Hmmm.

We are home now and the camping equipment is set up all over our yard to dry out, 10 loads of wet laundry are still being washed, the camper is being replenished and we are exhausted and full.  BUT...Memorial Day is right around the corner and me and the loyal camp dog Ginger are counting down the days to our next trip.




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