OUR CAMPING TRIP

MARCH 26, 2009

Our family decided to embark on our first "tent" camping trip this past weekend. We have camped in the backyard several times but never away from home together as a family. Jimmy and I wanted to spend some family time with Rachael with no amenities of home such as TV, phone, electronic games, and other devices.

We decided to take a trip to Grandfather Mountain and rented a space at Grandfather Campground. The place was very nice and we were within 300' of a bath house. Upon arrival, we proceeded to set up camp.

Jimmy and Rachael setting up our tent.

Jimmy trying to untangle the drop cord. (We did select a campsite with electricity and water.) There are some things I absolutely cannot do without.

My husband and his "sense of humor" trying to untangle the drop cord.

After setting up camp, we decided to spend the remainder of the day shopping and visiting downtown Boone. We stopped at a few antique shops and found an open market near downtown with plenty of vendors selling different crafts.

Later that evening, back at our campsite, we started a campfire, roasted marshmallows for smores and spent time just talking and laughing. Bed was early, due to the rain that came in and the next morning we awakened to a fresh new day.

All of us but Rachael. She decided to sleep in!

I was elected to fix breakfast. Country ham & egg sandwiches.

My husband inside the tent in his morning devotions.

I chose to do my devotions outside after breakfast.

Starting to feel more raindrops!

The rain seem to be just enough to dampen our plans to visit the Grandfather Mountain Mile High swinging bridge. We wanted to make sure that we went to the bridge on a day that was very clear and sunny so that Rachael could see the beauty of the mountain. We decided to wait and see if the weather would clear on Monday and just spend our Sunday with family. We met Nick and Melissa in Boone and toured Melissa's Alma Mater, ASU.

Me, Rachael, Nick (step-son) and Melissa, (Nick's girlfriend) standing in front of the founder's bell at Appalachian State University. The inscription on the wall states that students believe if they rub the bell before going in to take exams, they will do well on them.

Nick, Melissa, Rachael and me standing in front of the "Rock".

Go Mountaineers!

We left campus and went to the Farmers Hardware and The Mercantile Store. Great places to visit and each one has a candy barn. Rachael and I took a rest while Jimmy, Nick, and Melissa went inside the Mercantile Store.

Me and Rachael decided to "people watch"

Nick and Melissa took us to Cafe Portafino's in downtown Boone and it was great. I had something called a Spicy Sirloin Penni and it was delicious! I will have to try to make this at home. We enjoyed our time with Nick and Melissa and later wished them a safe trip home and we headed back to camp.

Rachael wanted to spend the remainder of the day fishing. She loves to fish and we had a great time watching her. Its nice to see a teenager enjoy being with her parents.

She caught a trout within 15 minutes of trying.

She is very proud of "her catch"

She let him go. Said he needed to get bigger before we could eat him.

We woke up on Monday to rain again! We made the decision to pack up and head home instead of trying to visit the Mountain. We are going to visit again soon and make sure Rachael gets to see the Mile High Bridge. We had a wonderful trip in spite of the rain and enjoyed our time together as a family. We have learned some lessons from this "tent camping" that will help us on our next trip. (yes, we decided we do enjoy camping and will go again.)