Tannehill State Park - McCalla, AL 3-26-14

What a great Spring Break trip to Chattanooga ... I mean Tannehill State Park!  The original plan was to take our first camping trip as a family of four to visit the KOA campground outside of Chattanooga, but since the weather was less than appealing, we made an about-face and decided to stay local.  Chattanooga ended up with snow, 24 degree nights, and lots of rain.  Needless to say, we made the right decision. :)  A 3-year-old, a 5-month old, and two 30-somethings who don't enjoy being cold likely would have struggled in those temperatures.

As for the trip, we had a great time!  This was only for one night and involved the better parts of two days, but it was a really good time and perfect for our first trip with Baby Caroline.  Imagine this, we once again got a little later of a start than we wanted.  Fortunately, we were simply trying to get set up before nap time, whereas in the past we were trying to set up before nightfall.  It sure helps Daddy (and lets be honest, everyone else too) when he has time to do his thing without the pressure of night approaching.

The interesting thing about Tannehill is they do not take reservations, but instead treat everything as a first-come-first-serve.  I called about 10:00am and they said there were "a few spots left," but that we should hurry.  Carter hopped in the car with me and we headed for the hills!  Kelly and Caroline drove separately (so we could take Caroline's swing) and stopped along the way to pick up some camp food ... McDonald's. :)  Carter and I arrived at the campground and went directly to the registration cabin, only to read a sign on the door that said, "Power Out - will return around 3:00-3:30."  Hmmmmmmm.  Here we are, in need of nap time, in need of food, in need of a campsite, apparently also in need of power ... and we have two hours until the fine people of Tannehill return to give us a spot.  Well, there are two types of people in this world: those who stand around and those who make things happen.  Carter and I decided to be in the latter group and took our camper into the park to find any open spot we could find.  We knew this would be tough, but we were hopeful (full disclosure: Carter was happy with whatever.  I'm making it sound like he was really into this with me, but truth is he really would have been fine with anything).  We toured through the campground and saw a few open spots early, but were determined to find something better. We continued to the back loop where Kelly and I have tent camped before and eventually found a wonderful spot that backed up to a huge hill.  There was no one behind us, no one to our right, and the bath house a stone's throw away.  Perfect for one evening!  But ... not perfect for backing into.  Only by the grace of God and some timely backing up skills did I maneuver into the spot without any help.  Once we were backed in, Carter and I waited on Kelly and Caroline to join us with burgers and fries ... and then the set up routine was on!! And yes, Lisa Forester, we did go back and pay for our campsite!:)

With the exception of a local electrical company repairing the electricity next to us, set up was smooth (gets easier every time) and everyone was in place by about 3:00, which gave us the rest of the evening to play!  We started out on a family walk and made it about 15-20 yards when Carter heard the Tannehill State Park choo-choo train whistle!  We immediately went to the train and paid our small fee to ride it across the park.  Carter asked a million questions about trains, and people, and trees, and bugs, and tracks, and campers, and animals, and life.  I answered each one and received his standard reply ... "Why?"  I have yet to find an answer to this question that is good enough for him not to ask me the very same question again, but hey, I'll keep trying.

Once the train rolled back into the station, we took a family walk around the park and enjoyed some nice weather and beautiful scenery.  The walk was laborious for those of us (daddy) charged with pushing the double jogging stroller up the hill (thanks, Kelly).  We eventually made it around the loop and settled in at the camper.  I started prepping the fire area while Kelly put Caroline into nap mode.  Carter watched something on the DVD and Kelly and I got things ready for dinner.  Dinner was simple as we used our marshmallow pokers to grill hot dogs over the open fire.  Carter had a chance to do this himself and did pretty well at it considering half the time he wanted the poker to double as a sword.  Caroline enjoyed this time also as she swung back and forth in her swing about 20 feet from us.  She was quite content on her first camping trip.

We enjoyed our simple dinner and then proceeded to the s'mores!!  Carter was once again successful in getting more on his face than in his mouth, and Kelly was once again successful in downing three by herself. :) I DID NOT HAVE THREE, just two large ones:)  We sat by the fire a little longer and watched Carter go crazy.  I have never seen him be this excited about camping, and maybe this excited about anything.  He was legitimately pumped to be outside!

After calming Carter down (yea right) we all retreated to the camper to get ready for bed.  Kelly and I were a little worried about this night because we had no clue how Caroline would do, and if she did poorly how Carter would respond, and worse yet how many people in the campground we would wake.  Fortunately, everything was very easy.  Carter and Caroline both went down fairly easily.  Kelly was well prepared for when Caroline woke up at 3:00am, and we sprung into "set up the swing" mode.  Caroline then slept through til 7:15 or so.  It was a good night, and not too cold either.

The morning arrived and we went simple again ... cereal!  We also made another fire and cooked sausages and cinnamon rolls.  It was an easy start to a very pretty day.

Original Pinterest plan was to wrap the cinnamon roll around the poker but it fell apart.  Took awhile to figure out how to NOT burn them- but we eventually got it:)

We wasted little time getting changed and searching for the playground.  At the playground, we saw a treasure map on their play equipment and proceeded to follow it through the woods.  We were in search for a hidden treasure, and fortunately daddy had $5 in his pocket to plant at some point.  :)  The walk through the trail was very nice and provided Carter with lots of adventure and exploration. Finding the hidden treasure and Peter Pan's house was even better!!  Carter was so excited! 

"Walking the Plank"

Finding the hidden treasure in front of Peter Pan's house

We rarely take pictures of just the two of us anymore!  

 Two new additions to the camper.  I got Donald the tire cover for Christmas.  The OTHER addition did NOT get prior approval! By definition this might be considered "redneck". Referring to our in-depth lunch discussion about the definition of redneck. :)

 

After completing the hiking trail, we took one more ride on the train and then went back for lunch.  We made turkey sandwiches and took it easy for a few.  Caroline slept in the swing and Carter hung out in the camper, which gave Kelly and me a chance to sit and chat for a few.  It was nice to hang out together on a beautiful Spring afternoon, even if it was only for 15-20 minutes.

Finally, we packed up the camper and headed back to civilization.  All in all, it was a nice brief getaway, and one we will have fond memories of.  Until next time (hopefully soon), camp on campers!

Rating: After much debate, we are going with an 8.7. That's pretty high, huh?!  There is a lot of perspective in that rating, though.  We had a great spot backing up to the woods, but if we had been in the "camper parking lot" (as I call it) we would not be rating it this high.  The facilities are great and even though we did not stay long enough to shower, the all tile showers were impressive and very clean.  There is so much to do at Tannehill with plenty of hiking and kids activities.  It would be easy to stay several days, especially if we brought the kayak to lazily float down the creek.  As for disadvantages, it could get crowded depending on when you are there and what campsite you have.

Minooka Park - Jemison, AL 9-28-13

 Yes, we decided to take a camping trip when we are 38 weeks pregnant.  Unless you are into birthing children in the wilderness so they may be raised by wolves, it's probably not the best idea; however, we did just great!!!




This trip was supposed to be to Tannehill but everyone with an RV and within a 50 mile radius decided to descend upon that area and didn't leave us a spot.  We looked around and were lucky to find a great new spot, and the best part is the park is only 20 minutes from home!  It is a very quiet place and we found ourselves mentioning several times that we couldn't believe it was so close to home. 

As with any Clayton camping trip, we got a later start than we wanted on Friday evening and had to stress a little more than needed in order to get set up before nightfall.  Fortunately, it wasn't too late and since we have done this a bunch now, we were able to move pretty quickly.  The evening was cool, and lucky for me, Kelly talked me into buying some clothes at Wal-Mart since I forgot any sort of long-sleeve or pant.  I get cold very easily and need to wrap up at night!!  The very night's sleep was great!!!  Everyone slept straight through until about 7:00!! (This is Kelly and that's SO not true:) Being pregnant this trip was much better than our trip during the first trimester... Except for the fact that I was waking up every two hours to use the wonderful porta-toilet! So we didn't exactly ALL sleep through the night).

 Saturday morning brought the usual wonderful breakfast by Kelly!!  She had donuts and fruit for us and then also cooked up some great sausage!  Carter devoured his donuts and did a good job of getting powdered sugar everywhere.  As we sat around, Kelly decided it was best to drive home to get the camera card that she left (and always leaves) so we could take pictures of this trip (As well as Carter's life jacket, helmet, and fan for the A/C issues you will read about later. Oh how Donald forgets some of the details!).  While she was gone, Carter and I went for a walk down to the lake.  Little did I know a simple walk would be so adventurous. 


I made a mistake in not taking the jogging stroller with me because Carter was certain to tire at some point.  We managed to trip and fall twice within the first 10 minutes and turn his "boo-boo" into a "BOO-BOO!"  We shook off the scrapes and pressed on to our destination.  As we turned the corner, a deer ran across the street in front of us and completely made our morning (still so sad I missed this- Kelly)!  Carter was determined to race the deer, but unfortunately for him the deer did not heed his challenge.  We continued down the hill and found a swing set that Carter ran straight toward.  I pushed him a few rounds and then he decided it was time to push me.  We switched places and he pushed me until he got too close and my backswing caught him right in the face.  Carter fell straight back and cried until we found out that he had cut his tongue.  Fortunately for us (and I'm not making this up), a scout leader and her pack of scouts who were on their 5-mile hike showed up and asked if we needed any help (merit badge hungry kids ...).  The scout leader went into her backpack and got us a gauze for his tongue, and then went on to make Carter a bag of trail mix while recruiting him into future scout service by saying "you too could someday be a scout!"  By this time we had had enough and I proceeded to carry him all the way back to the camper (remember: no jogger). 

Kelly made it back a little while later and the day of fun was on.  We ate sandwiches, chips, dip, and fruit in the camper before heading back down to the lake as a family.  We were hoping to scout it out for a little kayaking later and needed to find the best point to drop our boat in the water.  Not only did we need to find a boat landing, but we also needed to get out of the camper since for some reason the air conditioning would not come on.  At night it was no problem, but during the middle of an 80-degree day, we needed to exit the oven for a little while.  This AC problem had been on my mind all morning and it was becoming increasingly more stressful, so some time at the lake was needed.  At the lake, we threw MANY rocks into the water and also tried our hardest to prevent Carter from falling in (we were successful).  I also had a nice little competition with the opposite shore as I tried unsuccessfully to throw a rock from one side to the other (there was a day I could have made it, and there was another day when I wouldn't have left until I was successful ... neither of those days were today).  By now it was naptime so we headed back to the camper.

                                                        Carter met a friend that took him for a quick ride

My job was to take Carter for a walk in the jogger to get him to fall asleep.  I started out and about 50 steps into the journey I realized that I had failed to plug in the AC while setting up the night before.  Carter and I spun on a dime, went back, and plugged in our saving grace!!!  Game-changer for sure!!  Carter eventually fell asleep and Kelly and I set up outside for some reading.  I read the newest People (thrilling, I know) and Kelly read Outside magazine (how appropriate).  I didn't make it long and then went inside for an hour and a half nap.  Carter lasted about two and a half so everyone was in good spirits around 4:00. 

We hung out and played trains at the camper and then went back to the lake for some kayaking.  We ran into some nice people who were tent camping (and also wearing a pistol on his belt) and chatted a little about inflatable kayaks.  Finally, we found a good spot to drop in and Kelly and I both took turns touring the lake.  Carter isn't much into boating but we did coax him in for a brief journey.  He is far more interested in rock throwing.  The lake was quite relaxing and a lot of fun, but it was time to head back for dinner.  Kelly doctored up some kind of "hobo" meal where you pack potatoes, meat, worsterchire, cheese, and other tasty items into tin foil.  Place it on the grill for 20 and voila, yummy-ness!!!  It was truly awesome!! 

Hobo foil wraps.  They were REALLY good and REALLY easy.  The picture obviously doesn't give it any justice!  From sixsisterstuff.com

As clean-up took place, I began prepping the fire pit with the FREE firewood the kind folk at Minooka brought us!  Carter "helped" set up the fire and eventually we had something good for smores.  Carter toasted his own marshmallow and then ate his smore!!  I say that he ate it, but he really ate half of it and wiped the other half on his face.  :)


I know, terrible that I added this BUT so proud of him for using the camping toilet!!!  Sorry Carter, Mommy loves you!

Now it was bedtime and fortunately for everyone, it was another good night's sleep (I did take some safe meds that knocked me out this time!- Kelly).  We both agree that Carter gets easier every trip.  This time around we just let him stay up pretty late (9:30ish) at night and just all went to bed at the same time.  That way we don't have to tip-toe around in the camper and don't have to fight him not wanting to go to bed as much.  One of the sweetest "mommy" moments for Kelly happened this night. Everyone had been quiet for quite awhile and thought he was definitely asleep, and she sneezed, then we hear Carter whisper "bless you mommy".  He was just so sweet!   

We all made it til 6:45, and then Carter and I watched VeggieTales while Kelly stole another hour of shut-eye.  The morning was slow and relaxing (as camping should be).  We basically took one more trip to the lake before cleaning up and coming home. Overall, it was a great last trip as a family of three!!  I still can't believe we went camping only one week away from having a child!

Our Rating: 7.9
This is without a doubt a great place that is made better by the fact that it is only 20 minutes from our house.  We found ourselves saying many times how we felt like we were "hours away," and that is enough to put it above some other places.  It is tough to find a place so close that feels so far away.  Also, it is a new facility that is well put together.  The sites are very quality, and they bring you free firewood!!  Lastly, the lake is very nice and very peaceful.  It is great for kayaking and fishing, and it has a great one-mile trail surrounding it that would be a nice hike for just about anyone. 

As for disadvantages, there currently isn't much shade at the campsites.  Some young trees have been planted, but we're a few years shy of that benefit.  It isn't a problem for fall weekends, but summer months would be brutal in a pop-up (plus side is that star-gazing is quite easy at night).  Also, there are no showers, so any extended stay would either be very grimy or require a trip home to bathe.  The last detractor to this campground is that Minooka is really a playground for ATV enthusiasts.  It is full of trails for motorbikes and four-wheelers, which isn't a problem, but it can be noisy at times.  It isn't anything too alarming, but it is noticeable enough to mention.

Overall, this is a nice campground that is perfect for a quick "get-away."