Easter Weekend at Magnolia Ridge

I can't say enough, how much I love to go camping.  And when it's with good friends, and great little kiddos - there's not much that gets better than that!

RDB and I left out Thursday evening after he got off work. We were excited not only for the long weekend and extra time camping, but also that we would introduce the crew to one of our favorite parks: Magnolia Ridge Dam.  We had been there for our first just-us trip last season, and really loved the spot - and it has the added benefits of being a Corp of Engineers park, so you can reserve specific sites before you get there.  That's nearly a must when you've got a big group camping together.  This weekend it was RDB & Me, The 5 J's, and R(m)B.

Yeah, that only took about 10 shots to finally get a good one!

 

We had a huge set of sites - right along the water's edge - which was perfect for all the activities we had planned.  (And the tent that R(m)B brought along - I mean, it was a *big* tent!)  RDB and I got to enjoy the quiet to ourselves Friday morning until The 5 J's rolled in - and then the party started!!

The 5 J's have one of the coolest campers on the planet - it's KJ's parents from when she was a kid - and wow, it's still in awesome condition considering all the places it's been to.  I'm pretty sure if there's an award out there for the "Most Retro Camper" they'd win - hands down!

 

RDB and I got to hang out with the girls while their parents took off for a Wal-Mart run (and took LJ with them, because: "You don't just unleash The Boy on people!")  We spent time doing crafts, playing with Diesel, and picking up pine cones and kindling to get a good fire started, and anxiously waiting for R(m)B to arrive.

 

We got a great fire going and enjoyed a quick dinner once R(m)B arrived.  I couldn't help but giggle at the setting up of the tent - I think just about everybody had a hand it in at one point:

Saturday morning the Easter Bunny (aka Martha Jo) arrived - we had mimosas and chocolate to enjoy for the adults.  Unfortunately, we also had a heavy dose of rain - so for the better part of an hour, we played and drew with chalk on the concrete under our campsite table (Thanks, Mom, for giving me the chalk - it was a lifesaver!!)

 

 

While we waited for the rain to dry, the kiddos (and Big Kids) went over to the Kid's Fishing Pond to toss a few lines in.  One thing that's neat about Magnolia Ridge is that they've created a fully stocked kid's fishing area (with some pretty strict kids-only fishing rules).  Too bad no one told the fish they were supposed to get themselves caught!  Regardless, it was nice to be out in the sun and enjoy the day.

 

 

In the afternoon, once the rain ground had dried, we did our traditional  egg hunt.  I think we had a few dozen (too many!) eggs for these four kiddos.  They had a blast trying to find them all!

 

 

We sure do love camping - both on our own, and with the crew.  You can always find a few moments of peace and quiet and fun.

We camped at Magnolia Ridge Dam Park in sites 31 and 32.  Not a lot of shade in site 32, but they're both within a short walk to the bathhouse and a leisurely long walk to the playground and Kid's Fishing Pond. RDB and I were scoping out site 27 as a potential single site for our next trip back there (because there will be a next trip!) and we know site 18 is a nice one as well - just a good bit more boat ramp traffic near it.  Woody and Jeni are the camp hosts, and they are the sweetest people you'll ever meet.

For more camping photos, go here.