We joined 7 other families last weekend for our first camping outing since our trip to Jekyll Island, GA back in May of 2012, and then even before that, in Nov. 2011, so it had been a good 3 years since we had last gone.
L to R: Senior Cochrans, Touchards, Isidros, Jr. Cochrans, Zbaraschuks, Biris, Johnsons,
Mayrs, and 16 children between the 8 families!
William Cochran was again, the leader of the pack, setting up the families and situating us in the Juniper Springs Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest, about an hour and 15 minute drive north. Not too bad of a drive but still far enough from home that you really didn't want to drive back unless you really had to.
We (and by we, I mean our family) don't know how to do anything small, packing up everything (and I mean everything) we felt we "might need" for our 2 day camping excursion. Of course, I did most of the packing up so I guess it's technically my fault. We had borrowed the Grodack's topper to maximize space issues, but since we were bringing Tux along with his crate, and the kids' three bikes, we had no choice but to bring both our vehicles, which worked out since Tangie couldn't leave as early as originally thought since she had a meeting Friday afternoon. The kids and I would leave at 2:30, and she and Tux would join us by 5, conveniently arriving by the time our campsite was all set up!
Excited to head out in a full van!
Sending Mommy our location to let her know we had arrived.
We had a small, cozy campsite that was dwarfed by our tent. The kids were so excited to help put it up. It's nice and spacious until you add three queen sized air mattress plus a dog crate and then it seems cramped. But what are you going to do.
It's getting a little crazy in here!
Everyone was given a job to help get the tent up. Maddy's job was to document it.
Starting to come together!
Our campsite!
It was nice to enjoy a salmon dinner roasted on the fire pit; I made sure we didn't leave leftovers for any unwanted visitors (aka bears) to come in the night. We were constantly being warned to keep our food in the cars as there were bear sightings in the vicinity, which always kept me on edge. At least we had Tux with us; he would growl at any noise in the woods. My plan was to let him out the tent to chase the bears away, or be a tasty distraction away from the 5 humans inside. Whichever came first!
Roasting on a cedar plank with fresh Rosemary sprigs from our garden!
Mommy and Maddy enjoying the hammock.
Zachary came by to say hello.
Kohlden relaxing and almost falling asleep in the lounge chair!
Mommy enjoying the campfire. Her left hand was all bandaged up due to a fall that
morning when she tripped over Tux on their morning run and sustained some road rash.
Brae and Tux in the East wing.
The twins in the West wing.
Mommy getting her oils on and settling down for the night.
The first night was restless. Air mattresses aren't really as comfortable as they make them sound out to be. I think I slept 2 hours, listening to the leaves dropping on our tent, and the sound of owls communicating to each other from around the forest like African drums beating messages to each other back and forth. It was cool at first, but then it started getting annoying, because they wouldn't stop.
Sabbath morning was gorgeous and chilly, perfect camping weather, and nothing a nice fire and good cup of coffee couldn't cure. We had breakfast together as a group, as the night before people were arriving at different times, and with everyone trying to set up camp, dinner was on our own. We had a nice breakfast of eggs and pastries, hosted by the Mayr and Biri families.
Gathering around, meeting and greeting before breakfast.
The kids all over the place, playing soccer and riding bikes.
Afterwards we let the kids ride their bikes around, and then part of the group headed down for a hike to see the springs. The kids tried catching the guppies swimming around, with Braelyn losing her balance at one point, falling into the water in her clothes! She was a good sport though and it didn't seem to phase her any. They brought some of the small fish back to the campsite as our "pets" for the remainder of the weekend. Unfortunately some them didn't make it all the way through.
Erik and Elin Johnson fascinated with Tux's tail.
Maddy from inside our tent.
About a 300 yard walk through the woods to the springs.
Beautiful and clear water.
Braelyn trying to dry off after her fall in!
Maddy using a plastic cup to catch and hold her fish!
Lunch was a ridiculous array of pasta and Italian fare, hosted by the Johnson's and senior Cochran's. There must have been 3 different pots of pasta available, with some delicious meatballs. I guess part of the reason we had so much food was that there were some in the group that were gluten intolerant, so we all made sure to bring lots of gluten free options to make sure they didn't feel left out. Or starve to death. That became the theme or saying for the weekend. "Gluten Free". Even the water was gluten free.
Nice shady spot for the common area where we met for all our meals.
Amber and Maddy enjoying their lunch.
As was Kohlden!
The afternoon was pretty much more of the same, the adults hanging around and catching up while the kids played. Some of the dads brought the kids back to the spring for more hand fishing and a little cooling off, as the heat and humidity arrived and it was starting to get a little muggy. The springs at a constant 72º was very chilly, and took your breath away when you got in at first. I honestly don't know how the kids stayed in for as along as they did but they all had a grand time.
Tux enjoying the sun. He loved seeing all the people and being the center of attention with the kids.
Hugs from Braelyn and
lots of petting from Elin.
In and out of the chilly water!
William dives in to try and get to the bottom of the spring but the current was too strong.
Karis trying to catch some fish with his hands!
Braelyn made a new friend in Deanna and had fun hanging out together.
Maddy and I trying to keep each other warm!
Supper was hosted by us and the Zbaraschuks, and we opted to keep it simple by just doing hotdogs. Okay, hotdogs with gourmet toppings, aka Haute Dogs. We had an array of different veggie options, with those who wanted real hotdogs bringing their own. Lots of different toppings, including bleu cheese, jalapeños, mushrooms, onions, and capers! Of course we had all the regular fixings but it was neat seeing everyone get creative with their haute dogs. Probably stuff you'd never put together but since we were camping and eating outside, everything tasted delicious! We topped the evening off with s'mores and stories around the campfire.
Toppings galore.
William roasting his wieners!
Kohl still in his bike helmet roasting marshmallows.
Hanging out with his buddy Kaleb.
Sunday morning came quickly. The second night was much better in terms of sleep but it was still not that comfortable. Probably because I had forgotten to pack myself a pillow, go figure. We had a grand breakfast of pancakes, turkey and beef bacon, and hash browns, before starting the packing up process. Breaking up camp takes half the time to set up, but I wanted to make sure everything went back in the proper place so that we wouldn't have to deal with it when we got back home, so we took our time, and ended up being the last family to leave! But we had no commitments until the Broncos game at 8:30 that evening, so it was fine.
John making pancakes while William has a little issue with his gas stove.
Enjoying our "large" cups of coffee!
The kids loved the pancake breakfast!
Heather petting Elin petting Tux!
Saying goodbye to our new friends.
Everything broken down and ready to go. Tux seemed like he didn't want to leave.
A quick but fun weekend it was, we enjoyed fellowship and reconnecting with our friends and making new ones, and enjoyed being away from normal society and the regular comforts of home. We all liked the campground and planned to all come back and do it again, hopefully sooner than later!
Here was the rest of our week:
Maddy doing her own reading at bedtime. Her current favorite book is Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss.
Afternoon shenanigans at pickup after school.
And during homework.
Grandparents swung by for the day on Tuesday and got to see them after school for a bit.
Early morning, getting shoes on.
Mid week treat to Scoops, it had been a while!
Randoms:
2 snakes spotted while at camp: top is a non poisonous Florida king snake, bottom is a venomous coral.
Even the spiders were huge!
Big cat prints on the path to the springs. Florida panther? Bobcat?
We took home one tick with us, found under Braelyn's armpit, but hadn't latched yet.
Expecting our first loss, we trounced the Packers 29-10 to remain undefeated!!
Wow, seriously Florida, give us a break. 93º in November?!
Quote:
I was asking Brae which oil she wanted to diffuse in her room one night:
The camping trip looked like it was a lot of fun. Did your tent have 3 rooms? Whatever you do Allen, you do it with style.
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