Auld Lang Syne

Thursday, New Year's Eve, we made the move from Jordan Lake to Falls Lake.  With a run to WalMart to restock and the new site a fair bit further away from family (down some windy twisty back roads), there really wasn't much else we did that day except to head over to A&R's to smoke out steaks and enjoy a quiet NYE with them.

New Year's day, back at the new camp site, RDB and I started the year of right with a few mimosas.

Diesel, being too young to drink, spent the morning sleeping in and goofing off.

We had hoped to see RDB's lil sis and her family during our week in Raleigh, but it didn't work out.  We stayed at the campsite Friday day hoping for one last try, but it just wasn't meant to be.  

Thankfully, there were others who made the effort to come see us on our last day, including MS, one of RDB's long time friends, SPNC drove up after work, and A&R came back once more.  

RDB grilled out hamburgers...

MS had brought a few nice cigars...

SPNC got to play with Diesel for a bit...

And A and I got to enjoy time chatting about life and family, frustrations and gratefulness. 

I'm certainly grateful to have such a loving family in my life. And RDB's tea the next morning just confirmed even more-so what I already knew: 

Saturday morning we packed up from Raleigh and hit the long road back home.  We're taking a much slower pace, and a southern route, and I'm so looking forward to these next campsites and the adventures they will bring.

We were at Falls Lake Recreation Area, Rolling View loop, Site #25.  30amp and water - which they DO keep on during the winter months. The picnic table and fire ring are down a set of steps on a lower level of the site, and as you keep going down you'll be right on the water's edge.  Plenty of room side to side to be able to park the trailer and truck next to each other. Very wooded - I'd imagine during the spring and summer months you probably can't even see the water, and in the fall, perhaps the leaves changing colors would be magical.  It was a nice site, but we likely wouldn't come back to this one - simply because of the driving distance from north Raleigh down to Garner where the family is. 

For more camping pictures, go here. 

And for a quick primer on Auld Lang Syne, go here. 

Too hot to camp, but not to plan!

spNC and Diesel

WeatherBug has us in the low 90*s for the rest of the week - the rain that's been dripping off and on has given us at least a little break from the exhausting mid summer heat.  The 4th of July week was great - RDB's nephew spNC came into town and we went with The 5 J's to a firework's show - then up to Mom's for the rest of the weekend (with Diesel in tow, of course!). 

It's work-work-work this summer - I've got a drive out to San Antonio twice this week.  Not really looking forward to that, but so be it! Perhaps I'll stop in and 'preview' Palmetto State Park along the way.

Thinking through the fall, and dreaming about camping.  I'm working our weekends out around the Steelers football schedule which is requiring a bit of creativity when the games start either way early (noon) or mid day.  We'll be out the weekends of late games or weekday games.

Here's what I'm thinking:

We'll kick the camping season off with a trip to Lake Livingston State Park one weekend in September.  It's one that's about an hour and a half drive - not too far to get back in the swing of things.

Next up will be mid-October and a trip to Lake Texana State Park. I've driven through this one before - it'll be great for group camping and nearly every site has a lake view.

We'll travel out towards the Hill Country early November for McKinney Falls State Park. I'm really excited about this one - fall foliage and the waterfalls - should be amazing!

Daydreaming about camping!

Later part of November/first of December, we'll have to make a quick trip (3pm game on Sunday), so we'll hit one of the closer parks: Brazos Bend State Park. Lots and lots to do here, so I've heard. Might have to have the crew of families come with for this one!

So long as the world doesn't end on 12.21.12 and January rolls around like it does every year, I think we'll head back to Goose Island State Park - the site of our infamous Battle of San Mosquito in April.  I loved the tree cover and RDB wanted to camp on-beach, so we may try again. In the Winter. And the cold.  With lots of bug spray.

Lots of links in this post. Lots of possibilities and fun to be had.  But until then, I'm staying inside in the A/C!


UPDATED: Since learning that Lake Texana State Park is transfering gaurdianship away from the Texas State Parks system, and having become a member of the South East Texas Pop Up Campers Club, I've made a few switcheroos to the adgenda:

September's trip will be to Huntsville State Park, and October we'll join the camping club for the first time at Lake Livingston State Park.

Reservations are made!! Fun Fun!!

SECOND UPDATE:  We're heading to Cedar Hill State Park for Thanksgiving!! I'm so excited to be camping over a holiday weekend!!

Happy Independence Day!

spNC, Diesel, and RDB

Happy Independence Day to my favorite guys!