Trial-run at Oak Mountain State Park 11/2/12

We just completed our trial run with the camper at Oak Mountain State Park. After checking in and getting settled Friday night we headed to the  Oak Mountain High School football game. It didn't take long for us to realize we may be a little crazy as we started getting many weird looks when we would tell people that we were sort of in the middle of camping (or were those weird looks because no one ever pegged us to be pop-up camper owners). But after a good weekend, we are still happy with our purchase. 

 

Fall in Alabama... can't beat it!  There goes our independent little 18 month old.  See ya buddy!

Here is our lovely camper that Donald has decided to name Jack.  He heard some people discussing why pop-up campers were not as popular as some of the other campers/RVs, and one of the men said because a pop-up camper is like a Jack in the Box ... you crank it until you get a surpise.  Hence the name, "Jack".  I'll go with it...

 

 

We had perfect weather this weekend, and even got to wake up to rain this morning which was so wonderful.  Carter's first night didn't go as well as we, or anyone on the campground, were hoping.  We didn't get settled until about 10:30 and he was very upset at 4am.  Fortunately "Curious George goes Recycling" (thanks Aunt Blair) came to the rescue and soon enough his cries turned in to laughs (only 18-month olds laugh at 5:00 in the morning).  Luckily we were able to relax during naptime and since we were able to catch-up on missed sleep, I don't think any of us moved the last night.

We had a very fun visit and dinner with the Kennedys. We were talking about life and mentioned how our conversations certainly have changed to our kiddos (poop, discipline, etc). Carter and Taylor had a blast together!




Carter and Miss Taylor

I think I got a little too excited for our first trip by cooking a little too much- but it was fun even if Donald doesn't fully agree.  I think he would have preferred pbj for the first trip to simplify things a little.  Anyway- my menu consisted of muffins (made ahead, worked perfectly), hashbrowns, quesadillas (however since I forgot the tortillas these turned into nachos- even better!), BBQ ribs, corn, loaded baked potatoes and to top it all off cherry cobbler from the crockpot.  For all the garbage Donald gave me for packing the crockpot along with everything else, it was actually pretty tasty! We had a few snafus along the way with the cooking... first I just about blew up the little camper setting the gas stove for the first time.  Did you know you shouldn't put it on high when lighting it?  ;) The grill wasn't working, and we had a little drain leakage, but burning the ribs and corn straight on the fire worked just fine- We even had the leftovers just a bit ago:) I did pick up a tip on cooking potatoes by wrapping them in foil and literally putting them under the wood in the fire.  If you don't mind black potatoes, the insides were wonderful, no work required, and took about 45 minutes.  Topped off with some garden chives, cheese, and butter!




Caught Donald snoozin

We were a little worn out from the big meal so I can't say that our night life was all that exciting.  In fact, we put Carter to bed and then sat around for about 30 minutes until we both realized we were just as tired!

We had to head out early this morning for an appointment, so I gave the shower facilities a shot.  They weren't that bad and I figured I could just embrace the camping world and walked back in my robe, hair in towel, and umbrella, and all was good!  We had a great walk in the woods before our departure... Carter was fully engrossed in throwing leaves and chasing a daddy long leg we found.  And he loves when we hold his hands and swing him when we are walking, which really just melts my heart.  We had to put on the charm to our neighbors since we knew they hated us from the other night.  I think he made up for it;) 

Site Ranking:  We would give OM State Park (Pelham Southside campgrounds) a 6.  Facilities all worked and were not dirty, but pretty run down.  The RVs and campers were close together.  We did have a fire ring and picnic table which was helpful.  We know this park very well and there are plenty of different options for things to do. 

Lessons to take away from this trip:
1.) Have NO expectations for any camping trip.  Just go with it.  We both had ideas of how it would go, and though it was a great trip, it is always hard to let go of your expectations. 
2.) Thought we could do without a lantern, would have been quite helpful:)
3.) Make sure the grill works before you get hungry
4.) Most importantly, DO NOT go 49 in a 35.  Donald got pulled over and luckily the officer just wanted him to slow down so he would not have "to do the paperwork" when we hit a deer!
5.) Make sure the heated mattresses are plugged in before the first cold night.


Until next time ... camp on!





 

Our New Adventure October 2012

Our new home;)

 

Well we have decided that we are going to be a camping family.  I am by NO means a blogger, or writer, or anything remotely close.  And I am now realizing I should have paid a little more attention to those professional development sessions on blogging.  Hopefully Donald will proofread and spice this up a little bit without making fun of me too much.  He wanted to name this blog "Lady and the Camper", which is so much more creative... but I just couldn't do it.  The purpose of our blog is to help us record our trips and pictures without constantly boring people on Facebook (but lets be honest I probably still will)! I have such a terrible memory that I really want to remember the details, the good and bad.

 

By getting the camper we decided to make a family investment and we are now going to be a camping family.  We purchase the pop-up camper from a sweet family in Hartselle that were very sad to see it go.  They have blessed us with so much information and goodies to get it started.  Hopefully we will get as much out of it as they did.  We absolutely adore the idea of being able to take the family to the outdoors to enjoy His Creation and have absolute quality time.  So we decided to go for it.  Of course how much we get to go is going to change over the years but we hope to create family memories that we will cherish forever.  The first challenge up ahead: getting Carter to sleep in this thing! 

 

This weekend we are going to go on a trial run before we really take it out.  Hopefully meet up with some good friends and enjoy the beautiful fall Alabama weather.