Camping At Natural Bridge

TaterTown temporarily relocated to a campsite on the James River in Natural Bridge, Virginia for the long Memorial Day weekend. We went with five other families and enjoyed absolutely perfect weather. Hot and sunny days, cool and moist nights. It was everything camping should be...full of hard work, great fun, and lots of freedom for the kids to be kids. They were unplugged from their devices and ran wild.

We couldn't enjoy the river as much as I would have liked. Last weeks rain had it running high and fast. But I trudged out into it nevertheless. Next time, Connor and I are going to do a tubing run. To replace it, we spent time both days crawling on our knees up a creek bed hunting crawfish and salamanders. My friend Sharon has now been dubbed the "Crawdad Whisperer" for her tutelage and skill. I am pretty sure our sons will never appreciate their mothers.  They think its totally normal for moms to crawl on slimy rocks with buckets and tiny nets in ice cold mountain creeks.  I'm fine with that.

At one point, we took a ride to see Cave Mountain Lake. I'd seen the sign and it was four miles away. Four miles. Sure. Four miles and a whole 'nother planet. I've never seen the Garmin go blank like this.

Palmer spent most if the weekend pretty dressed up, as you can see. Totally redneck toddler, I know. He had a great time and did so much better than last year camping at Williamsburg. The heat did bother him a bit, so he took his naps in the car with the AC on just to maintain his sanity.

On Sunday we took a drive to the Safari Park with is a huge drive through wild animal preserve.  Its really kind of out of place and amazing and you feed the animals from your car.  Both of the boys loved it, and Connor got to drive the car (steer) for about 30 minutes, which totally rocked his world. Palmer liked the animals very much, be he liked the animal feed more.  It pretty much comprised his breakfast. 

It was a fun weekend with lots of great stories.

Good Morning, Campers

The boys, all over me, on a flat air mattress. 

More On The Camping Thing

My fellow camping mommy--Carole Baird--dropped these (and a few more) photos off yesterday at my office. I love them. I didn't take too many...what with the chasing around of that small human and everything I was a little distracted.

We camped in Williamsburg--that explains the tri-cornered hat on the big boy there. On Saturday night we went to a very cool function at Jamestown called "Party on the Pier" where they have a full barbecue dinner (which was AWESOME--especially the banana cream pie) and a live band on the pier with all the ships. Everything is open but since most folks are there to dance and party...the historical stuff is kind of quiet and you could take your time.

I also love the great shot she got of me and my camping hair. And of the three frogs that the boys imprisoned. All of which I believe were named Ripken. And of course, the obligatory shot of the big boys and their beers.

It was a dirty, hot, buggy (I'm still scarred and itching), fun weekend.

We Are...Campers!

We had a great weekend camping with 9 other families at Cherrystone in Cheriton, Virginia. We were there last year and had such a good time, we had to go again. And we convinced all those other folks to come join us!

The little camping trick or treaters!

Connor in the bay at sunset.

Our friend Mike, who came prepared with a TV setup in the back of the truck. Sad, though. His team lost.



Palmer was not alone for one split second. There were always girls and mommies all over him.



Palmer sleeping in the tent in his bear suit I bought him. He's on the ground on a changing pad!



And here's Connor, britches on the ground in front, sacked out on his side of the tent.

Our special camping friends, the Baird Boys!

Bob bobbing for apples. (Couldn't wait to write that sentence!)


Camping hair!


A little fisherman with a stinky fish.


Connor and Brynn. She's quite a catch!




Me and my boys in St. Michael's on the way home.