ANNUAL CAMPING TRIP

McKenna is now 6 and Harrison 4 years old...I guess it's time we adopt the whole "camping in the summer" activity...both Kenna and Harrison had been asking to go, so we researched and tried to find the easiest camping experience we could (the kids wouldn't go for my tent in the backyard camping trip). We decided to go to Downata Hot Springs and rented a teepee - which was great! It had 4 cots inside and an electrical outlet for light...which beat the heck out of pitching a tent, sleeping on the ground, and then all the clean up as well:

Tyler volunteered to be in charge of the fire:

Had a great sunset to watch (through the haze of mosquitos!!!)

Even thought to buy smores stuff for the fire that night (the camp even supplied us with campfire!)

Next morning, got up for breakfast...

bacon and eggs cooked over the campfire, with hot cakes cooking on a grill?!?...naah, that's not how I camp - how about some donuts and juice:

Did some swimming at the pool before we drove home. The pool and water slides were great - they were probably 90 degrees, so it was like having a water slide in your bathtub!!

We had a fun time, and, if pursuaded enough, would go again next summer!! However, here is a list of pros and cons for anyone ready to book their next camping vacation:

PROS:

-not too far of a drive

-not busy at all!!

-water was great temperature, the first night we swam until dark with no complaints

-didn't have to take any camping "stuff" (like lantern, TENT, blow up mattress)

-had bathroom facilities

-wasn't in the woods (I'm very afraid of bears!!)

CONS:

-mosquitos were EVERYWHERE!!

-although the donuts weren't the healthiest of breakfast choices, it was a good thing I had them because there was NO place to eat, no stores near by, and Downata didn't open til noon!

-Did I mention, Downata doesn't open until noon...our kids were up and ready by 8:00am and we were packed ready to go by 9:30...so, we turned on an ipod movie in the car for the kids while we caught up on sleep!