First Family Camping Trip

These next two posts are going to be filled with pictures! I have had "blog" on my to-do list for quite some time. Just now able to sit down for an extended period of time at the computer with no other "pressing tasks" - AKA Grad School work, looming over me.  I am half way through a two week break in classes.
 Over Spring Break Shannon took a few days off work and we all went camping, for one night. Yes, just one night. We had NO IDEA how Landon would take to sleeping in a tent and wandering through the woods, so we took it slow!

Back in the day...Shannon and I would take short backpacking trips. I even backpacked in the Sangre de Christo Mountains in Coloroado for 5 days back when we lived in Little Rock. You know, when you put everything you need in a backpack and carried it up the mountain or down the trail....not so much this time! This was CAR camping. Pack it in the car, take all the comforts of home along with you! The closest we came to "roughing it" was that our site didn't have electricity, but it did have running water. We had about a 3 minute walk to the very clean bathrooms.

Landon helped pack the car!

We had a great spot!  We were far enough away from the "neighbors" at the end of a row.  We only had neighbors on one side, and they didn't show up anyways!!  Perfect spot!

Chillin at the picnic table before the "hike" to the lake. 

 We went on an adventure through the "woods" to see if we could find the lake.

 We found it!!

 Dad gave us the finer points on skipping rocks.  Remember, he grew up in this enviornment.

 Dad gives a little hands-on instruction.

 Landon prefers the bigger splash that comes from doing it "his way"!!

 On the hunt for more rocks...

 The boy LOVED the outdoors.

I took this picture with my iPhone and edited it with a program that makes it look like an "old" photo.  I just LOVE this picture.  A little boy atop his father's shoulders.  Not a care in the world; all is good.

After we returned to our campsite Landon did a little bit of work in his Jr. Ranger's field journal.  If he could complete 7 activities and recite a pledge to the Ranger when we left he would get an official Texas Jr. Ranger Badge.  The book was for kids ages 7-12.

Landon helped Dad "gather" firewook - He took it out of the bag that we purchased at Kroger earlier in the day!!

Once the fire was made, hot dogs didn't stand a chance!!  The only two things Landon wanted to make sure we did was cook hot dogs and make S'mores. 

Landon's motto:  Work smarter, not harder!  He figured out that if he tucked the end of his roasting stick under the chair and leveraged it on the edge of the fire pit, he could rest, and still end up with a perfectly cooked hot dog!

Dinner was hot dogs and Baked Cheetoes.  

 After dinner, we made S'mores.

 Delicious!!

 After we roasted a few more S'mores we settled down to play some Uno by lamp light.

 Landon headed to bed, and Shannon and I made some coffee, and sat by the fire. 

As we were leaving the next morning, we stopped by the Ranger's office and turned in Landon's workbook.  He had done 7 activities and read the plege on the back cover.  He received his official Texas Jr. Ranger Badge. 

 

We had a great time.  Landon decided next time he wanted to stay for more days; we all agreed.  We even bought a Park Pass for the year.  I really hope we become a "camping family."  I think families that slow down, get together at a slower pace, check out of the hubub and madness of life and spend some great quality time together, are better for it.  When there are fewer distractions, and fewer things needing your attention, you have to focus on the family.  I honestly believe that a strong family is the most important thing.