Camping Adventures

Don, Chris and Angi (said I blinded them with the flash...our camper in the background)

We have started a new activity in our family. Don and I both grew up camping but we have not done any camping with our kids. Last fall we decided we wanted to find a camper of some type so we could start camping with the kids. After much searching and debate, (I grew up camping in a nice travel trailer and Don grew up camping in a pop-up) we decided on a pop-up but with some added features. Most importantly a bathroom with toilet and shower. We finally found a used pop-up on Craig's List, about 2 hours from us, with all our requirements plus a few nice extras.

A few weeks ago we had our first camping adventure at School Section Lake, about 30 minutes from our house. Over all it went well and the kids did very well. Lets just say thank you for the new sound machine we bought that helped cover all the noises that are involved in sleeping all in one small space.

Kyle 6 1/2 was our master marshmallow roaster...made to order light golden brown, a darker crispy brown, burnt...he could do it all.

Though the camping trip went well, over the next few days Kyle, Ryan, Brady, and I all ended up with stomach issues. After plenty of puking and pooping over a week we found out many people camping at this campground were sick. Found out it was ecoli making people sick. So though the camping experience overall was great, the after effect was a bit hard to take.

Being mostly recovered from ecoli, we decided to try another camping experience. This time in Ludington. Our friends, the Beland's, joined us again and we had a great time. The campground we stayed at was nice and everyone had fun. Oh, but I forgot to mention, the HUGE thunderstorm that came through at 4am. The kids slept through it, but I have to say there were a few prayers said by the adults.

We have two more camping trips planned this summer and looking forward to campfires, swimming, riding bikes and getting really dirty :).