Take a Hike with the Claytons

Take a Hike with the Claytons

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Wind Creek, Alexander City, AL 9/2/16 #2


It’s football season and this is our first ever trip on the weekend of an Auburn game!  Not only is football kicking off, but we also had a three-day escape since it was Labor Day weekend.  Since I am in class at Auburn on Thursday nights, it worked out well for me to leave a little early and drive the camper down a day early.  I was hoping to secure us a waterfront site but unfortunately those were all gone. So, I settled us into a really nicely shaded area with plenty of space to spread out.  


Friday afternoon came and we loaded up two vehicles for our trip to the woods!  It was a normal first night with lots of exploring and setting up.  We are beginning to get the hang of things and fortunately to a point where there is not much drama like there was with Jack the Popup camper.  Everyone slept well and seemed to enjoy night one.  I (Donald) got up early and used my new cooking tripod to make some pancakes over the campfire.  It was a lot of fun having this new tripod in place to cook different meals, and it will certainly be a new favorite of ours.  We managed to cook pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and corn over our weekend stay.  Though it may take a little longer to prepare, it is a lot of fun!  
Add capPion
 

 

During the first day we took it EASY! This is what it should all be about- the kids getting along and excited to have their "camping toys" out, us sipping coffee enjoying breakfast... everyone in and out of the hammock! Carter's got this whole thing down...
One cool dude right there!

 



Later on we took our usual Walmart trip to stock up on a few items (and of course the kids talked us into a new camping toy for each!).  After a lot more relaxing which included Lego playing while Caroline and Kelly went on a long bike ride, I showered up and got ready to head to the Auburn-Clemson game.  Kelly took the kids to the playground and then to the beach area while I was gone.  That can be a tough outing but everyone seemed to do well.  Kelly managed to get the crew to sleep and I rolled into the camper somewhere about 1:15am.  Yuck.  
Carter chose Legos!  
Great passenger!



 

This was Caroline in the exact same spot two years ago! 

 


On Sunday morning, we had breakfast and lounged a little bit more.  Then we decided to take the kayaks to the day-use area and make an afternoon of it.  Carter and I played in the lake for a little bit while Kelly and Caroline did some kayak touring.  Eventually Carter and I joined in for a paddle across the inlet. On the way back the Lake Patrol stopped us because Kelly and I did not have life jackets in the boat. We honestly didn't know this was a law- but we sure know now!  Fortunately he let us off the hook because it was going to be $800 between the two of us, we are still shocked he didn't give us one of the tickets. We decided to take this opportunity to teach Carter what grace is about. The next day we were passing by this same spot on the way to the playground and he said that's where grace happens. Still working on it:)  We will now find some life jackets for sure! 
 


Wow, we got lucky!


We then headed to the grill they have at Wind Creek, which is really good! So good that we most definitely overate and resulted in grilling out corn and eating apples for dinner and that was it!
 

We headed back for Caroline to take a nice long nap, Carter made up a game where we were chasing and hunting down some bad guys, then we all headed for a bike ride around the park.  Even though it resulted in us, pride defeated, walking our bikes and selves up the hills back to our campsite.  Kelly doesn't handle having to walk a bike up a hill very well, but the kids are just getting too big for these hills!

Carter is very serious about his hunting rules!


 

 

Because when Caroline says to go down the slide you do it!


All smiles even though we had to walk up the hill, and after Donald's bike malfunctioned hence why I have all the children!)

We ended the night with some great story telling!
 


Monday morning brought more hang-out time and playing in the woods.  We clearly loved the hammock this trip! We eventually began the pack-up process, let the kids roll in the dirt at the playground, and hit the road around 1:30.  All in all it was another great trip!!!!
Water boiled over the fire for my instant coffee!
Love when they love playing together!


Necessities for the hammock- purse, check. Sofia umbrella, check. Babydoll, check,
 


 



Nice dirt bath before hitting the road.  Awesome.