Camping with the Pruitts

A couple of  weekends ago we went camping at Hanging Rock State Park with our good friends, the Pruitts. The kids have been asking to go camping together for probably a year. So, us parents knew there was no escaping the reality - even if that meant camping in our backyard.

Of course, Hanging Rock is much prettier than our backyard.....

We went up on Saturday and picnicked by the lake before enjoying the beach on the lake. The weather was fabulous. It was an absolutely beautiful day. The kids (and parents) had a great time. It was very relaxing. Unfortunately, Scott conveniently left the cameras in the car while we were at the lake. Fortunately, Jill took some pics.

Samuel thought this was great fun. The guys felt it the next day.

Playing in the sand was a favorite with the boys.

Splashing around was a favorite with the girls.

Check-in at the campsite was 4 pm. We set up camp while the kids played.

 There was lots to explore - trees, the trail between the two campsites, tents, a snake..... Yes, I said a snake. So the kids were running back and forth between the two campsites when Sarah comes to tell her mom, excitedly, 'I heard a ssssss sound and saw a snake. I stepped over it 'cause it was in my way....' (or something like that). Jill asked her what color it was and how big it was. Sarah said brown and held her arms out as big as they would go. Jill and the rest of us just kind of shrugged it off to an active imagination. Until....someone on the road stopped right in front of our campsite and yelled out to us about a snake crossing the road. Sure enough.....

It was a big brown/black snake. - I'm never doubting a three year old again.

We grilled hot dogs on sticks. Samuel was very patient and cooked his completely by himself.

The others weren't so concerned.

I thought Ian was going to fall asleep.

Payton was very excited to roast her first marshmallow. Notice the length of the stick. Payton was very leery of the fire. She is actually very scared of fire, so for her to be that close, was quite a feat.

We slept as well as can be expected. Ian ended up between Daddy and I on the air mattress. I can't blame him - that ground was pretty hard and his sleeping bag didn't do much to help. I was impressed that Payton made it all night in hers. But at one point, we woke up and caught her completely on top of her pillow.

Ah well, it's camping.

Sunday morning we broke camp and went for a little hike down to Lower Cascade Falls.

Mr. Blake led the search for salamanders. Unfortunately, they didn't want to come out and be seen.

Don't mind the child heading towards the waterfall.

Good times..... Good times.