Camping, version 2.0

We had a fantastic second camping trip!

Despite the thunderstorms that hit later in the afternoon both days, we still enjoyed our outdoor experience. We got to the campground just after 1:00 on Saturday, which was perfect timing (check out is at 11am, and check in is at 1:00). We registered and drove to our site, only to find that it was occupied. A complete setup-- tent and all. We drove by a second time to make sure that it was, in fact our site. And then we drove back to the ranger station. They sent someone down to tell those people they had 15 minutes to get out. The ranger also discovered that they had brought their own firewood (a BIG no-no), and made them leave it behind. But then he told us we could burn it. So we ended up with an abundance of firewood, which was pretty cool!

Anyway... While this was all going down, the kids and I were lounging on our picnic blanket on the shady grass by the lake. It was so nice! Once our site was available, Gus drove down there and parked, and then walked back to the lake to get us. We loved our campsite this time! It was very private, large, and had easy access to the creek behind us. We got everything set up much more efficiently this time, and we were all set! We grabbed our fishing gear and headed back to the lake.

This is where I suppose I should mention that we hadn't really been using bait. We had no desire to actually CATCH anything-- it was more for the experience for the kids. But we could see Nikos starting to get frustrated, as everyone around us seemed to be reeling in fish and he wasn't. Still, we fished for a while, until the thunder rolled in and we had to take cover in our tent for a while. We actually ate dinner inside our tent, on our picnic blanket. It was definitely an adventure! But it cleared up not too long after that, and we were able to start a campfire and make some s'mores. Of course!

The next morning (Sunday), we went fishing again... Still no bait, and still no fish (go figure!).

When we got back to our site, Gus took the truck and drove to the nearest gas station to see if they sold worms. And they did! But more on that later! It was time for the wild animal presentation! There are all sorts of summer programs going on at the park right now, and the campers get to participate in them. This one program was a presentation by a guy from Creature Teachers, a family-run wildlife education program. He brought out all sorts of animals that live in the area: a flying squirrel, a woodchuck, a porcupine, a skunk (with scent glands removed), a milk snake, a gray fox, a snapping turtle, and a fisher-cat!! My friend here in town, who lives right around the corner, says she sees fisher-cats all the time. They are big weasels that eat porcupines. And they make HORRIBLE noises!! Anyway, I got to finally see one, so now I know what to look for! But I won't scare you. I will share just two pictures: the woodchuck and the porcupine, because I think they are so cute!

Nikos LOVED the entire thing. The guy had him from the moment he pulled the flying squirrel out of its carrier-- Nikos has been asking about flying squirrels for weeks! It was so awesome!

After the presentation, it was back to our site for a quick lunch, then down to the lake for some REAL fishing. With worms. And wouldn't you know it... Not 15 minutes later, Nikos had caught his first fish!

Not to be outdone, Maya soon caught her own first fish!

They fished for a while longer, but we were all kind of tired. We went back to the site and rested for a bit, until it was miserably hot and humid. Then they wanted to swim, so we got ready and walked back to the lake. They were in the water for all of three minutes before the thunder started booming and the ranger ordered everyone out of the water. Boo! So, back to camp we went. And we made it just in time, because it started to POUR moments after this photo was taken!

This time, it stopped long enough for us to eat dinner outside and enjoy the campfire again. We had a lovely evening! It was warm and dry by the time Gus and I went to bed. We even decided to tempt fate and leave the camping chairs outside, instead of putting them in the truck. ha!

So... we shouldn't have been surprised when the lightning started flashing like crazy, and the thunder indicated that another storm was rapidly approaching. I was lying in bed and counting the time between the lightning and the thunder (with three seconds = 1 mile), and I swear that it went from being about 10 miles away to about 2 miles away in a matter of minutes. And then it was right on top of us, so loud that the ground was literally shaking. That went on for quite some time before the rain started pounding us, and then THAT lasted for what seemed like forever!

Suddenly, everything was silent, like the water had just been shut off. I should add that it was especially silent, since our half of the campground was entirely empty, except for us. It was spooky! All the sites around us had been full, but everyone left on Sunday morning. So it was empty, and pitch black, and silent. And then the foxes started barking to each other across our campsite. There were at least three of them, maybe four. But it was a scary noise. Oh, and the kids didn't wake up for ANY of this, by the way. I kid you not. ha! Even Gus heard the foxes, and he's a heavy sleeper!

Anyway, it was a slow morning, since I was tired, but we packed up camp, went fishing a little more (Nikos caught and released another fish!), and then came home. Everyone but Nikos is covered in mosquito bites, but a good time was had by all! And now, to sleep in my own bed!!