Chester Frost 7-16-16

We just had THE best trip!!!  Since this was our fourth of five various trips this summer, Donald is overloaded with work, Auburn EDS school work, and putting parts of our house back together as it was struck by lighting while we were off having fun!  So let me remind you I am a Camper- not a blogger.  This is not a hobby like it is for my husband:)

We went to Chester Frost, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Our old friends, The Stacks, have been telling us about this place forever and we finally were able to make it work, though still sad we didn't get to see you guys:(  This is a county park along the Chicamauga Lake... which is beautiful!  We got there on Thursday night and picked a spot that seemed to be a little further away from others and was covered by a huge tree. We thought we would probably get some neighbors on Friday... but we never did!  You are not allowed to reserve spots at Chester Frost so we worried about where we would end up.  Ended up being perfect!

Donald cannot stand how junkie we look with all of our stuff- he is working on a plan.  I think it is what it is, right?!

Our Friday morning started off wonderfully... we got an unexpected email from India with new pictures of Cora all dressed up in a pretty dress and full accessories, and we brought our camping donuts back!  So the kids were PUMPED.  Carter's cousin, James, graciously handed down ALL of his rescue bots so that basically entertained both kids all morning.  We checked out the little playground close to us, and then headed into downtown Chattanooga.  I now LOVE Chattanooga!!!  What a great place- so pretty and so much to do!

DONUTS

Middle right picture- the kids decided they wanted their toys so we let Carter take Caroline all the way back to the camper to get them and we just sat and watched and let Carter be big brother.  Kinda a big deal- freedom for us!  Also, Carter at one point was trying to sign his name to us through the window (we've slowly begun learning sign language for Cora).  So cute!!!

This was our very first trip to take in the summer.  We never did with the popup because we always thought it would just get too hot, especially for naps in the afternoon.  We are so thankful we are not as dependent on the weather anymore!  However, when we headed downtown, we were all feeling the heat a little and the Hanger pains started setting in.  Mark Williams told us we HAD to go to Riverstreet Deli and it did NOT disappoint.  You can see the kids shared in our enjoyment while in line.  They got over it, especially when we headed to the (MOST OVERWHELMING) toy store.  It was filled (understatement) of all of our childhood toys.  So it was fun for us for a few minutes.  A couple Transformers and Minnie Mouses later everyone was happy and ready for some naps.  Oh wait, Caroline didn't nap...  so I gave up and we headed to the beach.  And by beach we mean waste area for geese!  Only negative on this trip- we were a little grossed out so we were one and done with the beach area!  We took our grumpy selves back to grill burgers and hotdogs.  The kids were actually excited to go down that night in their bunks and we were able to go outside and stare at the stars while enjoying our antigravity chairs that we are pretty obsessed with.  Donald just got his for Father's Day!     

The Deli- loved my Muffaletta and Donald got the Reuben, the kids had, well lets be honest... chips.  And maybe a bite of grilled cheese

Having a great time downtown: they have random steps on the sidewalk that teach you different dances.  And just look at that toystore!  Nightmare!  I realize the kids are almost as decisive as me;)

Carter beat me in tic-tac-toe and who is teaching Caroline these ballarina moves?!

Chester Frost is very well known for it's beautiful sunsets!  They were right!  Donald let me go take the kayak out and enjoy while he stayed with the kiddos.  

THANK YOU, LORD!!!

Another slow start to the day on Saturday morning- donuts, hardboiled eggs and instant coffee in our FETI (our term for our fake yeti coffee cups).  Our plan was to hang around Chester Frost and head into town that night since the kids were anything but compliant about walking across the Chattanooga bridge with us on the previous day.  Also sidenote- we had planned to do both the Aquarium and Incline railway, but found ourselves 1) not wanting to spend money except for eating at fun local restaurants and 2) we just had so much fun at the campgrounds! So after a morning of playing with princesses and transformers, playing with the tetherball, and Caroline and I doing our first Campground Workout together, we headed to the new big playground.  We knew a storm was coming but were hoping we had a little bit of time.  We got back and made some lunches and decided to take a little drive and got Caroline to sleep and had the biggest storm yet!

Caroline was working on her pushups and then wanted to take pics of me while the boys were working on tennis swings with the tetherball?

Beautiful Morning 

Donald handled the storm stresses very well- the pop up would have been a total different story!  

After the storm, we got the kayaks out and had an incredible time on the water.  Definitely great memories to cherish forever.

Off we go!

Then we got ready and headed into town and the fun continued.  First stop was Taco-nooga where we enjoyed some fried cactus!  Then headed to the bridge, still shocked that I barely had to hold Caroline with all the walking we did.  Definitely out of the norm for her!  

Best line when trying to get a family selfie so we wouldn't have to bother anyone... "dadgumit Caroline,  SMILE!  -Donald at probably not his best moment, we can laugh now though!

We had a blast over the Tennessee River

 Then we headed to get ice cream- possibly the best we've ever had!  The Ice Cream Show I think?  It was just that good!  Then we came upon this waterfall they have on stairs- still don't know what its called but it was so much fun.  Came up to a live concert and let the kids dance it out for a song or two, and then finished with watching the end of Zootopia while sitting on the bridge overlooking movie night at the park.  Amazingly fun night!!! 

Time out!!! Y'all. Pokemon Go. Seriously?!?! These people are EVERYWHERE!!!!!! No joke- it was insane. What is going on here?! I can't even wrap my brain around this- well my current mommy brain anyway. High school and college me probably would have been playing and risking almost getting hit by cars. Everywhere you turned- the bridge, the streets downtown, the stinkin rest area!  People just staring at their phones playing these imaginary things. It was bizarre, once in a while you randomly see someone run a few steps or yell. I mean I know I should put my phone away and stop taking so many pictures- but this is a whole different level! Ok that's all.

Ice cream, stair waterfall and watching Zootopia on the bridge.  These are some happy kiddos!  Well us too!

Ending with the kids peacefully going to sleep in their beloved bunks.  It's not as crammed as it looks- promise!  

Sunday morning comprised of breakfast, a little playing, and then we get to that point where we decide we have to push the "lets pack up and go" button and we were on our way (took about an hour and a half this time, I basically do the inside cleaning and Donald does all the outside stuff and packing the car).  We stopped at a rest area and had a little picnic and hide and seek behind big trees before heading home.  The kids were off their devices for a solid 30 minutes- win!  You know we like to be real:)  Donald and I had so much fun talking about this trip and future trips and putting our next destinations on the calendar.  Can't wait for the trips planned for the fall!  Until next time!

RATING and Comments: Some things that made this trip so great... we loved Chester Frost, pretty lake and area, privacy in our campsite location, plenty to do (also have tennis courts, three nice playgrounds, Carter spotted his first two deer all on his own!).  The kids are at such a fun stage- really playing together, especially when on neutral ground- they are buddies!  They are going to sleep great and life is just overall getting a little bit easier.  I also packed most of the food... so though it caused us to not really be creative in our meals, we barely needed a store run!  They are loving the kayaks and swimming and get SO excited when they know we are about to go camping.  Obviously Chattanooga itself was a blast.  This will most likely be a place we repeat, or at least other grounds around Chattanooga.  And hopefully one day I will get to where I can say Chattanooga correctly without Donald correcting me EVERY TIME.

We are going to go with a 9.8 , lost .2 bc of the goose waste and not the best facilities which don't bother us as much now!