and if you want to go explore, the number you should have is four!

This last weekend, my family went on a little trip -- our very first camping trip. It was really great, not perfect, but still great! We had initially planned a two day, one night trip, but were pleased with how well things were going and stayed an extra night. In fact, it was Kate's eloquent pleading that tipped the scale for me. I think she really loved the family time -- you know, no distractions for mom or dad. And finally, all of this camping and outdoor gear that Josh has accumulated over the years (some for his Boundary Waters trips & some forward thinking about the family) was used & enjoyed by the family. So, our recipe for fun family camping?

1. Great location -- Lake Conasauga, the highest lake in Georgia. It has a looooooooooong gravel drive up the mountain. Let's say that the drive back was more pleasant for many reasons -- one, we weren't nervous about having to turn around & drive right back the hour long trek over the bumpity road because all of the campsites were full, and two, the camp host gave us a hint about a slightly shorter way (saved us about 20 mins of gravel). 

2. Fishing -- Josh & Kate got to do some fishing and Josh caught quite a few bluegill -- perfect "kid" fishing as he put it. Lots of action, easy to reel in -- this became Kate's job. Kate wasn't quite deemed hook-worthy, and didn't get why she wasn't catching any fish. :-)

first fish caught off the shore

little sis just enjoying splashing around

let me show you how it's done

3. A great tent! We had lots of space in our REI Kingdom6 -- and the girls LOVED it. The jumped on the airmattress, slide down the sleeping bags, and generally wreaked havoc in mom's well-organized tent. But it served us very well. Spacious and comfortable! And w/ room to grow. ;-)

4. A fire. Let's say that we arrived at our campsite the day after a HUGE storm and all of the wood was soaked. Josh should win an Eagle Scout for his fire starting abilities, I am pretty sure. Let's say we ended up using some vegetable oil improvisationally.

roasting marshmallows (I tried not to count how many she had)

5. Trails and paths yet to be discovered. Both Kate & Rachel did a lot of running through the campground. Rachel uttering, "I a Big Person. I running."

6. Games -- Kate played a good game of Pooh Sticks (renamed Pooh Marks because it was played with rocks, not sticks). We might be a few summers away from skipping rocks, but it was pretty fun. She stopped and picked up rocks from the gravel path and then ran up to the lake & dumped them into a "parking lot" for her waiting rocks. Rachel was also a great rock collector on this trip and kept stuffing them into her pockets as though they were gold.

Chief Rock Collector w/ her daddy

 7. The best part was just being together -- so I quote a little bit of Sandra Boynton: "And if you want to go explore, the number you should have is four!"