Monday, August 18, 2014

Camping Trip with Memama & Papa

It's official. We're campers.  We survived the flood of 2014, so I'd say we are expert campers at this point. You could throw anything at us, and we'd knock it out of the park.  Of course, we couldn't have done any of it without each other! That part, my friends, was the best part of all and really what got us through! 
right after we arrived. Naomi made a new friend within minutes of being there.
We went up to Buck Hall Recreation Area just outside of Charleston, SC last weekend.  Naomi and Benjamin's Memama and Papa met us there.  Papa already had a spot staked out with tent kitchen and all. He's the pro at this to tell you the truth.  We all learn from him! It was a fantastic park that sits right on the intercoastal waterway complete with it's own boat ramp.  Papa brought his canoe, and we all brought our bicycles for the awesome access to the truly fantastic Palmetto Trail. The 425 mile trail leads all over the state with an entrance at our campsite! We wound through forests and all along the lowcountry for miles and miles eventually having to turn around while out exploring Saturday afternoon.  Memama was a good sport and rode with us the whole time.  We made it back to camp just in time for the first major storm that we got while there! 
the boys out for a ride

dolphins

playing in the rain













our spot for the weekend
camping buddies
heading down to a part of the Palmetto Trail


this guy is the best, yall.
over swampland

it was a trek for Memama to even make it down, but we were so glad she did! The kids were so excited to see her!
birthday presents perfect for the occasion
The summer storms around here and up the coast are no joke, and they come in with a vengeance!  Thunder, lightening, the whole works pummeled our campsite while we drove up and down the highway looking for some sort of relief!  This storm went out just as quickly as it came in, but everything was soaked!  Let's just say the 10 or so beach towels we brought got some good use!  Camping tip #1 - you can never have too many beach towels! 
after the first storm. ready to ride! 

water rockets with Deddy

We got our second major, even larger, storm Saturday night, and that one decided to stick around.  We ate our HOBO supper in Memama and Papa's tent, and I wish I had gotten pictures from that because we were all a sight to see!  Hunkered down in a thunderstorm trying to stay dry all while trying to figure out the best way to eat!  Papa's tent was already damp and mushy from the first storm, and we tracked even more in with our brigade.  He had the place looking all cozy complete with Indian rugs and quilts. He even had a lamp, I mean COZY, but with the rain came thunder and lightening in the form of two small dirty wet children and their parents! He was a good sport because the next morning, his place was looking, feeling, and smelling rough! Even through it all though, it was such a fun experience, and the kids slept through most of the storm. It was certainly an experience none of us will soon forget!  
in between storms












Grilling outside was a highlight of the trip, and the food a success.  We packed breakfast burritos and buttermilk pancakes for breakfast, and chili slaw dogs and tin foil meals for supper. The HOBO packs were delicious - hamburgers and fresh veggies - and the kids had a lot of fun putting those together, making it their very own. They also created campfire cones made of fresh fruit, chocolate, and marshmallows. We kept it fun!

pancake breakfast after the storm!

(these next few aren't my images, but it gives you the idea!)

the handsome cook :)
We went home with cars full of wet gear and more bug bites than we could count, but we all had a BLAST hanging out with one another and making the best out of a not-so-ideal situation because we were spending time together, and isn't that really what it's all about anyway?  Making memories one soggy camping trip at a time. Memama said she's not a camper.  I bet we could talk her into it again, but it would take some luring! :) Cumberland Island, we're coming for you soon!










Papa's set up. Got to love the tricycle in the boat!
photo of the year!

Monday, August 18, 2014

Camping Trip with Memama & Papa

It's official. We're campers.  We survived the flood of 2014, so I'd say we are expert campers at this point. You could throw anything at us, and we'd knock it out of the park.  Of course, we couldn't have done any of it without each other! That part, my friends, was the best part of all and really what got us through! 
right after we arrived. Naomi made a new friend within minutes of being there.
We went up to Buck Hall Recreation Area just outside of Charleston, SC last weekend.  Naomi and Benjamin's Memama and Papa met us there.  Papa already had a spot staked out with tent kitchen and all. He's the pro at this to tell you the truth.  We all learn from him! It was a fantastic park that sits right on the intercoastal waterway complete with it's own boat ramp.  Papa brought his canoe, and we all brought our bicycles for the awesome access to the truly fantastic Palmetto Trail. The 425 mile trail leads all over the state with an entrance at our campsite! We wound through forests and all along the lowcountry for miles and miles eventually having to turn around while out exploring Saturday afternoon.  Memama was a good sport and rode with us the whole time.  We made it back to camp just in time for the first major storm that we got while there! 
the boys out for a ride

dolphins

playing in the rain













our spot for the weekend
camping buddies
heading down to a part of the Palmetto Trail


this guy is the best, yall.
over swampland

it was a trek for Memama to even make it down, but we were so glad she did! The kids were so excited to see her!
birthday presents perfect for the occasion
The summer storms around here and up the coast are no joke, and they come in with a vengeance!  Thunder, lightening, the whole works pummeled our campsite while we drove up and down the highway looking for some sort of relief!  This storm went out just as quickly as it came in, but everything was soaked!  Let's just say the 10 or so beach towels we brought got some good use!  Camping tip #1 - you can never have too many beach towels! 
after the first storm. ready to ride! 

water rockets with Deddy

We got our second major, even larger, storm Saturday night, and that one decided to stick around.  We ate our HOBO supper in Memama and Papa's tent, and I wish I had gotten pictures from that because we were all a sight to see!  Hunkered down in a thunderstorm trying to stay dry all while trying to figure out the best way to eat!  Papa's tent was already damp and mushy from the first storm, and we tracked even more in with our brigade.  He had the place looking all cozy complete with Indian rugs and quilts. He even had a lamp, I mean COZY, but with the rain came thunder and lightening in the form of two small dirty wet children and their parents! He was a good sport because the next morning, his place was looking, feeling, and smelling rough! Even through it all though, it was such a fun experience, and the kids slept through most of the storm. It was certainly an experience none of us will soon forget!  
in between storms












Grilling outside was a highlight of the trip, and the food a success.  We packed breakfast burritos and buttermilk pancakes for breakfast, and chili slaw dogs and tin foil meals for supper. The HOBO packs were delicious - hamburgers and fresh veggies - and the kids had a lot of fun putting those together, making it their very own. They also created campfire cones made of fresh fruit, chocolate, and marshmallows. We kept it fun!

pancake breakfast after the storm!

(these next few aren't my images, but it gives you the idea!)

the handsome cook :)
We went home with cars full of wet gear and more bug bites than we could count, but we all had a BLAST hanging out with one another and making the best out of a not-so-ideal situation because we were spending time together, and isn't that really what it's all about anyway?  Making memories one soggy camping trip at a time. Memama said she's not a camper.  I bet we could talk her into it again, but it would take some luring! :) Cumberland Island, we're coming for you soon!










Papa's set up. Got to love the tricycle in the boat!
photo of the year!