Labor Day Camping Trip

This past weekend was Labor Day. We took our 5th wheel camper and headed to our favorite spot, Roaring River, for a long weekend of camping. It was really nice. I can't believe its been a YEAR since we had the camper out and went camping! After going, we were all planning our next trip! Once you get back out there you remember how much fun it is and how much we all enjoy it. It was funny, as soon as we got there, the girls seemed to be on a mission to do EVERYTHING the first evening of our arrival : 'let's go get ice cream, let's go fishing, let's go swimming, who wants to go for a bike ride? Mom, play badminton with me. It's my turn for a game, mom, play catch with me"  ha ha.


me and T with a badminton racket special effect, lol



T playing 'bounce the ball in the air'. I don't know the real name, but its pretty fun. These  disc like frisbee things act as trampolines in your hand and u bounce the ball up and try to catch it without dropping it. I have our camper 'packed' with all sorts of games for us to play while camping.

  They eventually settled down and pulled out the paints I started keeping in the camper and created some lovely masterpieces while sitting under the trees outside and painting to their hearts' content :)


Since we were there from Thurs to Mon, we did lots of unscheduled and relaxing activities. There is a little shop in a nearby campground (walking or biking distance) that we visit every time to buy ice cream cones and sit in their comfy rocking chairs on the porch and enjoy the view of the tree covered hill and eat our ice cream. We did this a few times (of course).





These rocking chairs are so comfy. We love sitting here with our ice cream. Only $1 for a big scoop too! :)  Of course T brought a book to read during our ice cream break :)

 We even went for a whole family bike ride with grandpa and grandma too (they camped next to us this weekend). That was really fun as well, except my husband is a goofball and was doing wheelies on his bike.


Grandma and Grandpa with W



 Wheelie-Dan

Dan and his dad fished every day, and the girls joined them two days. The first day the girls went I stayed in bed, intending to walk down with the dog a little later and take pictures. But I started reading a magazine and ended up staying in bed. They came back before I was done, because they had each caught their limit already! Dan said they had lots of fun and did really well. T cast and caught all her own fish! W reeled in the ones Daddy caught :)  I was able to go with them the next morning where W again maxed out, but T only got one that morning (and was a bit pouty to boot). Here are some pictures I took during that fishing experience...


So cute, W, with one of her fish.




W bringing in Grandpa's fish with the net.




I like this picture.




T having daddy help her get her fish off the line.



 T fishing, and W 'talking' to her fish.

The first two days we got there it was still 100degrees! We have never camped when it was that hot before (too hot) which is why we always go in the spring and fall instead of the summer. But this summer has been incredibly hot, so even Labor Day weekend was hot. However, Sunday and Monday it cooled down to 50 at night at 80 during the day, so it was MUCH nicer! More like true camping weather so we were actually able to have a campfire and sit around it. I was sitting by it Sunday night after Dan had gone inside with the girls, when two little bandits (raccoons) came up to our campsite looking for snacks. They were so cute and funny, they didn't even see me sitting in the chair by the fire and they were only about 6 feet away! After I went to get my camera though, they didn't come back :(
I took Lucy, our dog, on some great little hikes (W even joined me one day with a promise of ice cream afterwards ha ha). I have learned that I really like hiking! Really great workout up all those hills and lots of fun to be outside! Here are some pictures from those hikes...

 This is a really cool rock formation called the "kitchen". When you climb up the crevase (near the middle right of pix) you come to a little flat spot, that u then jump down into a hole that is completely boxed in by these huge boulders (that collapsed about 20 years ago, creating this current formation). History has it that during the Civil War, soldiers hid out in this hole. Its pretty big, about 10ft x 10ft x 6 ft.  Pretty neat.

 Relaxing on the 'roof' of the 'room' or hole below, that I discussed above.

 Such a cutie! Always the poser too, check out her leg!  lol

 The view is so pretty and the rocks are just amazing.

 Another really cool spot. These huge rock islands are in the forest. They are about 20 feet tall. W is sitting on the edge of one. That's a smaller one to the right side of the photo.

 So fun, and such a pretty picture. I like all three of these next pix, so I had to include them all!

 One of those 'islands'. Pretty neat, eh?

 Our hiking trail. W posing again (of course).

The girls got all decked out in their "Laura Ingalls" gear the minute we arrived and grabbed their toy bow and arrows to play till their hearts content (that is my favorite thing to watch....my kiddos being creative and using their minds for play! love it!) T was especially creative in her outfit, but when I took pictures she immediately said "don't put that on facebook mom!" so she probably wouldn't appreciate me posting a pix here either :(  but the outfit was adorable. She had an apron around her waist and some sort of bonnet thing on her head and a belt held her 'knife' and arrows, then her bow was slung over her shoulder. Very fun looking!  She did however shoot her arrow into a tree and it landed flat on a branch and got stuck there so she tried to get it out with a broom while standing on top of the trailer. She didn't have any luck so Dan THREW the broom into the tree to try to get the arrow out, only to have the BROOM get stuck in the same position! ha ha  He ended up climbing on top of the trailer and shaking the branches till they both fell down. lol.

hee hee

Any trip to Roaring River wouldn't be complete if I didn't drive over to the Tanger outlet mall in Branson (only an hour away), so Saturday I went there. It was fun to wander through all the stores all by myself. Even though I had 7 hours there, I still found myself rushing at the end to make sure I got back in time for dinner! Its crazy how I can shop forever!  I didn't go overboard, there wasn't THAT much stuff that struck my fancy this time, but I did get the girls a few things, and me a few things. Plus I got a few pretty pieces of costume jewelry. I typically don't wear much of that kind of jewelry, but I always like it on other people, and the right piece can really 'make' an outfit, so I am venturing out and trying some new things :)
Lucy, our dog, loved our trip. She gets to go with us on camping vacations, so these are her favorite trips :)  she was well behaved and as happy as ever!

Lucy watching us fish :)


P.S. that book W is holding called "A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee" is the greatest book ever! great bright pictures, and a really cute story!



The girls and I usually like to walk through the stream behind our camper in the spring. But at this time of year it was all dried up, so there were only a few spots to play in the water at (besides the regular fishing river of course). Here are some pictures of the girls catching baby crawfish and tadpoles. T even caught a tadpole with legs! That was pretty cool!






W and I went to the playground, where Lucy got in on the action and even went down the slide! Here is a little video of that, and a photo.

Here are some more pictures in general.


Ahhh, the relaxing peace of a recliner under the trees :)



W just having fun entertaining herself with dirt and water at the campsite :)

There happens to be a fish hatchery at this State Park, these next pictures were taken in that area. There are also several natural caves and springs.

 Look at the beautiful color of the water here at the mouth of the spring. This spring feeds the whole hatchery (I believe) and its located way back under that crevase in a deep cave. The water is really cold here.

 The spring is behind them, and you can see the rock above it (and them) how its split open. Really pretty. There is also a fun, short trail/hike above this point.

 At the spring/cave entrance.

The hatchery area. Dan is pointing to a big fish in the water. The spring feeds into this.

Well, if you stuck with this post, you got to the best part of it... my poem!


While camping this time, I got out my pen and paper and wrote down this poem :)

An Ode to Camping

Camping.

Fresh air and cooling breezes,
Camping.

Marshmallows and allergy sneezes,
Camping.

Crickets chirping,
Raccoons lurking.
Camping.

Masked bandits on the prowl,
Lucy senses them and gives a growl.
Camping.

The sound of a diesel-engine truck,
The fun of playing in the dirt and muck.
Camping.

The stars overhead at night.
The feeling is always so right.
Camping.

S'mores on a campfire,
Pancakes on the griddle,
Sitting by the fire,
Writing this riddle.
Camping.

Playing games and riding a bike.
Going fishing and taking a hike.
Camping.

Uno is a favorite game we play.
Round after round, every day.
Camping.

Holding hands, skipping down the road.
Laughing and giggling like its a secret code.
Camping.

Eating ice cream on the porch.
Campfire lit up like a torch.
Camping.

Rocking chair rocking.
Mommy's at the outlet mall,
Not very shocking :)
Camping.

Lightning bugs caught in a net.
Tadpoles and crawfish, the girls love to get.
Camping.

Nighttime is for gazing at stars overhead,
Morning time brings 2 little girls into our bed!
Camping.

Its an American tradition.
Its a family vacation.
Camping.

Its all its cracked up to be,
and its relaxing and fun to me!

Camping.

remember when-Black Lake

When I was growing up we had a tradition where every summer our family, along with my mom's side of the family, would gather together and go camping at Black Lake. It was a UAW camp where only UAW members could go. Since my Grandpa and Uncle had both worked for the auto manufacturers they were members and it allowed our whole extended family to join them there. We usually got 2 sites and we all crammed onto these sites in tents. This was back when I wore glasses/contacts which had the heater sterilization technique. Which meant that if I wanted to wear my contacts I had to sit in the public bathroom for an hour while the sterilizer was plugged in to the only accessible electrical outlet. I never enjoyed this aspect of camping, but besides that, I have many fond memories of these times during the many years we did this. To also give you some feedback so that the following post makes sense (in case u aren't one of my family members who also remembers this), my brother and I are the oldest grandkids on this side of the family. My other aunts and uncles didn't start having kiddos till I was 7, and my youngest aunt is only 10 years older than me (and single at the time) so she was always very involved in any activities I was involved in. Also, my family lived in the "country" so-to-speak (not really, but in comparison we did), while my aunts and uncles lived in a very big city. My two uncles and my parents played tennis back then, so every year we had a "Slicks v.s. Hicks" tennis tournament at the camp complete with a revolving trophy. This camp was really cool, not only were there campsites but there was also some sort of lodge where they had a game room with ping pong tables and a cafeteria/buffet type thing that we would eat at on one night as a special treat. There was also a beach (on Black Lake), tennis courts, a trolley thing that would carry you from area to area, and an old lodge/building/type thing---don't really remember what it was for---but supposedly Lucille Ball had something to do with it. Don't remember if she vacationed there (maybe b4 it was turned into a camp) or something. But every year when we'd get off the trolley at this stop (seems like it was near the tennis courts, because we would be on our way to watch the 'tournament') my mom would remind us about Lucille Ball and the fact that a famous person used to come here.
So along the lines of my "remember when" series, here are my memories of those camping events:


I remember the joys of summer as a kid.
I remember Black Lake.

Fun times with my 'extended' family.
Aunts and Uncles all around,
Grandma and Grandpa as the revered elders.

I remember Grandma getting stung by a bee,
that someone had caught in a jar. The bee was half under the lid and half out. The stinger end sticking out of course. She didn't know this and picked up the jar and got stung. Ouch.

I remember my little cousin Rhonda clinging to her momma's legs.
I remember cots and sleeping bags. Sand and dirt. Pots and Pans.

I honestly don't remember ever eating at camp, but I remember seeing all the pots, pans, and dishes packed in boxes and bags. And listening to my aunts and mom complain that Grandma should just leave all that stuff packed for the trip instead of unpacking it and using it in her house each year. Too much work, and she had extra dishes anyway, so why not save the trouble and leave them pre-packed for the trip? Grandma always said no, and wouln't change her ways.
Her daughters just shook their heads.

I remember playing frisbee.
I loved the trolley. So fun to ride.
I remember the old buildings, covered in mossy greenery. Beautiful and shaded by the growth. Beginning to decay, but still sturdy enough to show you of the beauty they once posessed.

I remember the beach on Black Lake. The water was cold, but still fun to play and swim in. The sand had a black hue to it, hence the name, so the sand looked dirty, but it wasn't.

I remember my hip aunt wearing shorts OVER her sweatpants (yes, this was the 70's), and my other aunt not understanding the style.

I remember shorts and flip flops. Few showers, and lots of dirt.

I always looked forward to our special night eating at the cafeteria. They always had fried shrimp and that was my absolute favorite. I was a pretty picky eater, so camp food was not really appetizing to me, but oh, that shrimp always got my attention!

I remember the fun we had at the game room. Ping Pong and candy machines!
For someone not eating much camp food, those candy machines sure had a strong lure for my hungry tummy!

I remember walking from place to place with my single Aunt, and sitting in the bathroom while my contacts cleaned watching her do her hair and makeup.
If I was 9 or 10 yrs, that means she'd have been about 19 or 20 years. Obviously, even though we were camping, SHE wasn't going to be looking scraggly, like the rest of us! ha ha.

I remember the boasting and trash talking that went on between my uncles and my parents over their "Slicks vs Hicks" tennis games.
My uncles, being from the city, were the Slicks. Therefore, my parents being from the country, were the Hicks. I remember not liking being affiliated with the word "Hick".

I remember blue skies, and beautiful weather.
Fresh air and squirrels chirping.
Huge trees, and overgrown, shady undergrowth, complete with the damp smell of moss.

These were fun times, and I'm glad I experienced them. As a kid it was neat to watch the adults interact. My favorite though, was listening to my mom and her brothers and sisters tell stories about their childhoods together. Such interesting tales, which always gave more perspective and depth to each of their personalities. I really loved these times.

I remember the joys of summer as a kid.
I remember Black Lake.

I remember when...

I remember...
Rubik's Cubes and parachute pants,
break dancing (when it was new) and moonwalking,
gas at 76cents a gallon,
and Little Debbie's at a quarter.

I remember when a quarter could
buy me a candy bar OR
a play on a video game.
It was one or the other, take your pick.

Then candy went up to 30 cents and it ruined the whole mathematical equation.

I remember stealing quarters out of my older brother's change jar,
to go to town and do the above.

I remember Pac Man, Frogger, and Donkey Kong.

I remember when Aerosmith made a comeback (unheard of!)
with a duet with Run DMC on a remake of "Walk this way".

I remember watching videos on regular tv on Saturday night
way before MTV became a reality.

I remember watching the first seasons of the first reality show on MTV.
I remember ALWAYS getting all the videos right on "Remote Control"
Man, I should have been on that show! I remember the barkalounger
Yes, I think I watched too much MTV.

I remember bursting into uncontrollable tears when I saw Michael Jackson run past me backstage to the stage at one of his concerts, and immediately knowing what those screaming/crying girls must have felt like watching The Beatles years before.

I remember thinking the southern Rebel flag was "cool", until I learned what it stood for.

I remember the pain of my first leg cramps at track practice.
I remember the love of my dog.

I remember watching The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller's Day off, and The Lost Boys, and loving all those movies.

I remember watching Footloose at the theater 6 nights in a row, and only not going the 7th night because I had a band concert to play in.

I remember losing a band challenge to Lori Litchfield so terribly that I think everyone in the room felt sorry for me because I just could NOT get the rhythm or beat to save my life!

I remember cheering at the Detroit Silverdome with those big, beautiful, sparkly, silver pom poms.

I remember sleepovers at my cheerleading coach's house.

I remember crashing my friend's car on the highway after waving to a military caravan.

I remember playing "tractor-trailer" and "Dr. Spock" with my brother. Both games we made up.

I remember being severely afraid on my first day of kindergarten, till a nice girl named Larissa befriended me and tried to make me feel comfortable so my mom could leave.

I remember thinking I had to marry someone from college, and NOT my high school sweetheart.

I remember realizing this was a mistake, and that I was definately, forever-in-love with my high school sweetheart, who is, in fact, now my husband.

I remember being pregnant for the first time and wondering if I could ever be capable of loving a child.

Now I can't even fathom not loving my kids for a second! How foolish was I to ever doubt?!

I remember their first smiles, and giggles.
The first time they slept through the night.
The first steps, the first toddling runs.
The first tricyles, the first training wheels, the first ride on a big girls bike.

I remember running across the lawn (actually running OUT of my shoes) when my oldest daughter flipped her four-wheeler.

I remember the cuts and scrapes. The slivers in toes, and the tangles in hair.
I remember the coughs and cries. The whimpers and snuggles.
I remember the smell of their hair as I cuddled them.
I remember the feel of T's hand, as she'd absent-mindedly hold my ear while nursing.
I remember the joy of their hugs. I cherish each one.

I remember when fax machines were new.
When only yuppies had cell phones.
I remember brick phones.
I remember my first car. Eagle Talon, all-wheel drive, Double overhead Cam Turbo.
Loved that car.

I remember moving to Las Vegas and crying myself to sleep every night because I was so lonely for my hometown and old friends.

I remember seeing it snow in Vegas.

I remember seeing it hail (a lot) in Oklahoma.

I remember being snowed in at our house in Michigan.

I remember the pain, like it was yesterday, of learning my beloved dog was going to die, and there was nothing at all that could be done to save her. I was willing to drive her to the University and spend whatever it cost to save her... but we learned that was not going to be an option. I remember her dying in my arms, only moments after she stole a tissue out of the trash to eat, thus making me laugh through my tears. I remember her first night in our house when she was a puppy. All she wanted was to be next to us, and she barked and jumped over baby gates until she succeeded. I remember her jumping into the pool for the first time-a running leap (of faith on her part) and she jumped into the water just to be next to us. I remember her chasing a basketball in the back yard, and diving to the bottom of the pool to retrieve her toys, and chasing after us every time we dove into the pool. I remember her hiding under the bed every day just moments b4 it was time for me to leave for work, so that I couldn't put her in the dog run, and therefore I couldn't leave her. (That was her plan anyway, but of course every morning I'd have to crawl under the bed and drag her out).

I remember when...

An Ode to Skiing

An Ode to Skiing


Beautiful day, sun on my face,
Its only a hill, not a race.
Love the exhilaration of that fresh air,
The view up here; nothing can compare.

Oh! How I love the feel of the hill
it gives me such a huge thrill!
I'd do this every day if I could.
Maybe, oh maybe, I sure would!

Nothing like it anywhere,
its certainly amazing up here.
I feel so awesome in this scene.
You know exactly what I mean?

Watching skiers go on by
some, it might be their first try.
Others, clearly have been here before,
their bodies conditioned for the chore.

The air is brisk.
The trail is certainly a risk.
So I... go, go, go,
on that beautiful, white snow.

Black diamonds come my way.
All I can do is hope and pray.
Turn my skiis from left to right.
Keep the bottom of the hill in sight.

Sweat dripping down my chest.
Its so steep, I stop and rest.
Catch my breath and gear back up.
No, this isn't a World Cup.

But its all I've got,
so I take a shot,
back down the hill I go.
Trying to not go too slow.

My thighs are burning,
but I keep turning.
It slows me down,
because I don't want to fall like a clown.

Skiing for me isn't just fun.
Its like a workout without the 'run'.
Legs ache, muscles twitch,
but there is nothing I would switch.

Exhausted at the end of the day.
All I can do is crash on the couch and lay,
reminiscing about the day's fun.
Tomorrow I'll take another Black Diamond Run!