Our 1st LBL Camping Adventure

We took the Westy out for our first Camping Adventure this past weekend at LBL also known as Land Between the Lakes. Its a pretty huge recreational area that sits going through TN and KY and yes you guessed it, its surrounded by water. Although just driving through at first you wouldn't know that. There's so so much to do at LBL, this was only our second time out there. The first time was last fall before the hubbs deployed and then we just made a day trip out of it and drove around checking out different areas and what there was to do and see.

At the beginning of the week the hubbs mentioned going camping, kinda out of know where. I though it was kinda odd since we agreed we'd wait till we got the upholstery redone on the inside in a week or so. But hey, I didn't have school that weekend and we didn't really have any other plans so I mean why not. We booked a camp sight not really knowing where it was located and went with it.

Friday since the hubbs was off work he picked up a few things we needed to our little adventure. Also trying to see if could get the stove in the Westy looked at. It runs off propane and we are 100% sure it works and well frankly we don't want to cause any damage trying to start / light it. Not having any luck with the local shops here we decided we'd just get a little camping stove to take along with us. We'd planned on buying one at some point any how, so it worked out. He spent the rest of the afternoon loading up the Westy and getting everything ready, so when I got home I just had to change and we could head out.

On our way there it was raining, it had been raining the whole afternoon but I had hopes that since our camp ground location was on the opposite end of LBL that we'd be fine and that we where it had cleared out just shortly before we arrived. Although since it was the first time driving her out in the rain we did notice a leak in the sky light / sunroof on the top. It wasn't horrible but something we need to add to our todo list for sure.

Once we arrived and set up "camp" we started up a fire and made some dinner. Chicken Noodle Soup it was. We bought on of those packets that you simply add boiling water to and let it cook in the bag for so long and TADA its done!!! We enjoyed our first meal in the Westy followed by Hot Chocolate and S'mores over a nice little camp fire. I set up the inside bed while the hubbs and pups relaxed and took in the night stars. It was absolutely beautiful out there, so calm and peaceful. It was so nice to be away. We had no cell phone reception which was nice because we where able to disconnect from the world and really spend time with each other.

I'm the mean on between the two of us, I wouldn't let the pups sleep with us that night. I mean come on the bed is pretty much the size of a full size bed and when you have a 115lb dog and a 45lb dog plus the two of us that's quite a bit on one bed. We turned the passenger seat around and Dingo slept up there and I brought a old blanket and Bailey slept on the floor. Everyone made out fine and they didn't seem to butt hurt. Plus I really wasn't wanting them on our brand new bedding we had just bought. The hubbs took the night shift in letting them out to potty, because you know they just had to go. So, I kindly got kicked out of bed for the morning shift to take them out, and boy was it chilly. Lucky for him I had to use the restroom myself so other wise I would have not gotten my butt up outta bed.

We spent the morning making breakfast over our little camp stove and enjoyed the crisp fall air. Shortly after breakfast we decided to take the pups on a little walk about the camp grounds and explore the area some more. It was such a beautiful place, and the views of the lake at some of the camp sites where amazing. We definitely made note on a few sites we'd like to book in the future. After our walk we lounged around a bit, the hubbs rode his bike up to local store to check it out and over heard one of the workers about a walking trail. So we decided to leash up the pups again and take them for a walk. They did really good and lucky for them got in lots of extra exercise through out the day. Once we got back to our campsite I decided to fix lunch, Guacamole Shredded Chicken in Pita Bread with a Apple / Grape Salad. It was so tasty!!!! The hubbs decided he was going to be lazy and take a nap so I went for a nice little bike ride around the camp grounds, checking out the other side that we hadn't walked. 45 minutes later I finally made my way back. That's when the hubbs decided he was gonna go for a ride. We could have gone together but We really didn't wanna leave the pups alone in the Westy. I took advantage of the bed to myself and took a little nap. It was the best, I just laid there with the door open and even let the pups lay on the bed with me. Shocker I know!! When he got back he had the wild idea to go get ice cream at the general store up the road. We made it a family outing and the pups walked up with us, I had brought with us some special treats for them so I took a couple with us so they could enjoy something while we where eating our ice cream.

We lounged around a bit more that afternoon, played with a wooden airplane the hubbs had bought and decided we head back that evening, instead of early in the morning as planned. (hubbs had to be in Nashville super early Sunday morning) Not before dinner over our campfire, Chili Hot Dogs. I couldn't even tell you the last time I ate a hotdog, let alone a Chili Hotdog. Not my thing but there's something about camping that brings them out and makes it ok to eat. Of course since we had a fire going we had to make up some S'mores. It's not a camping trip without stuffing your with the yummy goodness of chocolate and marshmallows smushed and melted between two graham crackers.

It was the perfect way to end our much needed relaxing little get away.

We even took a different way home that evening so we were able to see a new to us part of KY and it was such a beautiful drive. I can't wait to go back out camping and for all the fun adventure we have ahead of us in our Westy!!!! 

Girls Weekend Getaway

There's a few of us girls that make a point to get together at least twice a year, if not more for a little girls weekend getaway some where fun. This past weekend Sarah was home visiting family so we had plans to meet up for a little camping Adventure in WV. We've been to The New River Gorge a few different times and have done several of their activities at Adventures on the Gorge so it only seemed fitting to go back. We decided to ruff it up a bit by camping this time around instead of renting a cabin. I've only been tent camping one other time in my "adult time" so I was semi excited about this little outing. Picture this 4 girls- setting up our camp ground, tent and camp fire included. We did just fine if I do say so myself, had absolutely no problems and we'd all do it again. We did sleep in a bit of style with our air mattresses though. That ground would have been awful hard.

Day 1) We arrived and checked in for our activity. Stand Up Paddle Boarding. The water was a bit chilly, which I honestly wasn't expecting at all. We had a tour guide that we had to stick with which was kinda a bum but it was just the four of us girls and her so it wasn't to bad. We spent 2.5-3 hours I think out on the water. Someone saw a picture of a person doing a head stand on a paddle board so we made it our mission to accomplish one. We didn't do half bad at all and all managed to get up at least once. After paddle boarding we headed back to the resort site to check in and set-up camp. Followed by dinner at Cheddy's. A fabulously delicious little restaurant there at the resort. Where we enjoyed a yummy dinner and a couple of drinks. We made our way back to our camp-site, where we built a fire all on our own, Roasted Marshmallows, Made Smore's and Played Cards. It was a perfect day filled with fun, friends and way to much food.

 Day 2) I for whatever reason can't sleep in, it doesn't matter what time I go to bed it just doesn't happen. Wide awake at 6am I decided to make the most of my morning and work off some of those Smore's I'd eaten the night before. A quick 4 mile run around the resort and back and the sleeping beauties where still sleeping. Eventually they woke up and we got our morning started. The plan was to cook breakfast on a camp fire grilled I'd brought. While Sarah and Brandy where in the bathroom Nancy and I decided to start the grill up and get things going. We didn't intend to start a forest fire but that's what almost happened. Come to find out the grill we where given before we left SC was broke. The line feeding the propane to the burners was snapped in half causing a huge burst of flames coming out the side. We tried putting the fire out, as it sat on top of the picnic table but had no luck. Panic started to set in as we looked around for help. There was a couple packing up there site right next to us, so I called out over to them asking for help. The guy came over and struggling a bit to get the fire out himself but finally managed. He said we should be fine, let the grill cool down a bit and he'd help us get it started again. (at this time we didn't know the line was snapped) After a little investigating when he came back over was when he noticed it was broken. Needless to say it didn't make the trip home with me. What about breakfast you ask?!?! We started up our campfire, scrambled our eggs and cooked our ham over it for a tasty breakfast sandwich. Have no fear we've got this!!! The first half of the day was spent lounging by the pool working on our tan. B. Sarah's husband brought their little guy up for a bit to swim and see momma. (this was her first night / weekend away from him) We went into town with them for lunch at a yummy little sandwich shop before they headed back home.
From there we went to a different resort where we spent the rest of the day. A large lake that had tons of inflatable's that you where able to climb on and jump from. There was a slide that was a couple stories high that shot you off right into the water, a teeter toter type thing, a rock wall slide, a round 4 person rocket and a blob just to name a few. I unfortunately couldn't brave myself up enough to jump on the blob. Picture this- your standing on a plank platform where you jump off landing on this large inflatable thing. Once on you craw to the end and sit while waiting to the next person to jump which shoots you flying into the air. I'm not afraid of heights but I freaked myself out because I stood there two long thinking if through in my head. I tried again a 2nd time and couldn't do it. I felt like such a chicken. We spent a couple hours there before heading back to shower, change and make our way to dinner. Cheddy's again for Wing Night. I went with a Grilled Chicken Sandwich, I'm not much of a Wing girl. Drinks again of course, followed by Smore's and Card's back at our campsite before calling it a night.

Day 3) Up early again before the others I went out for another run, getting in 5 miles this time. We had to check out of our site by 10am so that meant getting those sleeping beauties up when I got back. We packed up our tent and cars before settling down for a little Pancake Breakfast once again cooked over the campfire. It was pretty tasty for not having much to work with, I have to say we did pretty good and made a great team. Who says girls can't survive in the wilderness. Although I don't know that I'd want to extend it to a lengthy amount of days to test out that theory. Eventually we had to say our "see you soon's" and each of us headed out on the road to make the drive back home. It was very bittersweet moment.

We always have so much fun when we all get together, life seems so easy going and stress free. It's never long enough although we almost always have our next trip planned or at least in the works before we leave but the time apart simply sucks. I'm so thankful for these girls and the memories we've made over the years and can't wait to create more with them. :) 

Camping Day 3

Our last day of camping we got up and had a simple breakfast, muffins and honey buns. No cooking, No dishes means NO extra clean up. After everyone got up and stuffed their face a bit we decided to go ahead and start packing up camp. This way it was done and taken care of and we had the rest of the day to do whatever we wanted. I was so happy we ONLY took what we needed out there and nothing else. Some people I think packed half their house out there for just two nights. Ok I understand that if you have kids you may need a bit more but still it was crazy the amount of stuff people were bring out of the tents. 

In a way I was sad to see the weekend come to a end. Its nice to get away from the real world and not have to worry about anything at all. I turned my phone off Friday when we got there and didn't turn it back on till we were on the road headed home. 

I'm looking forward to our next camping adventure, should be fun!!!!! It was a beautiful weekend and the company was great. I think that makes the biggest difference is the people you are with. I'm so happy we are FINALLY starting to make some really good friends here. It's taken long enough. lol. 

Our tent, home for the past 3 days!!!!

He was suppose to be helping take down a tent and instead he was chillaxin in LT's hammock. 

Most of the gang that made it through the whole weekend!!!!

~DAY 199~

Camping Day 2

Day two started out with a fabulous breakfast that included sausage, bacon and french toast. It was amazingly good for being cooked on a camp stove. K showed me a new way to make french toast that is super simple and makes small servings. 

Little miss thing working the grill, while sipping on some freshly brewed coffee. Told you we had some french toast, it was gone in minutes. You would have though these people hadn't eaten in days. After breakfast a few of us girls headed up to the showers. We were feeling uber dirty and needed some freshening up. I'd never felt better, it was so refreshing. (ok I'm sure I have but still you get the point)

Back out on the boat for some fun in the sun. Thanks to my fabulous Mistress my face was spared by the sun. I absolutely LOVE my new beach hat, I think I'd wear it every were if people wouldn't look at me funny. I suppose I'll save it for our beach & pool days though. Earlier this morning we took a short trip out on the boat and Bailey decided it would be smart to jump in the water. 

Let me paint the picture for you. When us girls got back from the showers the hubbs, pups and a few others were out on one of the boats. The rest of us loaded up on the other boat and headed out to were they were. When we got to them Bailey saw me and went crazy pacing the front deck of the boat. Were were about 10 feet apart. No one really though she would jump in and then all of a sudden SMACK. Right in she went all on her own. It was pretty comical but at the same time I felt bad. She can swim but I don't think she realized what she was getting herself into. The guys tried pulling her up by her collar which quickly slipped off. Thankfully they got her back up on the boat though, everyone on that side said her face was priceless. I wish I could have see it. So here we are in the water enjoying ourselves while at the same time trying to encourage Dingo to come join us. After pacing around from the door opening to the bench seat for about 5 minutes he to jumped in. I was dying laughing, trying to keep afloat and take a picture all at the same time. Oh our poor pups. 

Times like these are the best!!!!! 

My happy little family!!!!!!

Oh this girl cracks me up, she sure does know how to put the life into a party. Here is her and her son jumping off the front of the boat together.






We ended the evening around the camp fire of course, would you expect anything else. Dinner included burgers, hotdogs, chips, potato salad and of course some marshmallow roasting and SMORE making!!!! It's not a party without the grams, chocolate, and mellows. This is my all time favorite thing about bond fires. I love LOVE smores, the sad thing is though since they are so sweet I can only handle a couple in one sitting. I think I managed to make my way through three of them this evening. You have to enjoy every bit of them while you can right, its not every day you have a bond fire right beside your bed. Unless you are a hard core camper right!!

We (I say we but I didn't drink this weekend, so really its everyone else) went through a good share of alcohol bottles. They had everything from different types of wine, whiskey, tequila, jim bean, and other hard core liquors. There wasn't a drop left in any of them after Saturday night. How some people can take in so much alcohol and not be totally plastered is beyond me. Well back to my point.....a couple of the guys brought out boxes of kem lights and they decided they would maker perfect lanterns around the fire. Yes again these are the people that are training our future Soldiers for defend our freedom. Craziness I know right!!!!!!!

It was a long day and we had loads of fun but I was ready for some sleep come 11ish. I forget how being out on the water all day can tire you out so much. Its been a awesome experience and I'm so glad we decided to come.
Of course there was a bit of cuddling before we dosed off. I love my little family so much and wouldn't change it for anything!!!!

~DAY 198~

Camping Day 1

The hubby was off today and I only worked a half day meaning I was off at 1pm!!!! Woohoo!!!!

When I got home he had the car loaded up and ready to go. We grabbed some lunch at non other than Chick fil a, seriously its like our go to place. (I could never have to much) We were on the road with the pups in tow headed to Dreher Island State Park for a weekend of camping!!! I've never NEVER been camping before, beach yes, river yes, I grew up going to the river every weekend. We have a river HOUSE (no tent) with running water and air conditioner. My brother and I probably learned how to swim before we were walking. We both water ski, its something I truly LOVE doing so going out on the lake is totally up my alley. However CAMPING, sleeping in a TENT, going to the bathroom in the WOODS, cooking dinner over a camp FIRE is not up my alley. 

As terrified as I was about this little adventure I was looking forward to it. Going on 6 years of being together and we are still experiencing 1st's, life is swell with the man I love on my arm. 

Arriving right at 3pm we unloaded the car and set up camp. 

A little back story this weekend is a Org. Day ~ company organization day set up for Alpha company and their families. (we are with Delta Co. but we've been adopted by A Co, seeings D Co doesn't do anything. ) The XO & his wife S are seriously fabulous, they are the cutest couple ever. They set this whole weekend up, managed to book a camp site RIGHT on the water with boat access, away from everyone else. (bc I mean lets face it when you get 20+ Army guys & gals together there's gonna be alcohol involved.) It was a great spot, perfect for all of us.

After getting settled in we joined in on a Cornhorn competition that was going on. Sadly my hubby sucks at it and we ended up loosing. The BN CO won the prize which included two $25 visa gift cards. 

Later that evening we went out of the boat with the pups. It was a bit chilly because the sun had gone down and the clouds were moving in. Never the less it felt great to be on the water again. I miss going to the river every weekend when I lived back home. It was something I always looked forward to come the end of school on Fridays. Although I'm not a fan of pontoon boats at all it was nice and relaxing. 

I was quite surprised the pups did great on the boat. I have to say I was a bit nervous at first that they would go completely nuts and freak out but they proved me wrong. To be honest I wasn't crazy about taking the pups camping in the first place. I figured it would be just a hassle and more trouble than enjoyable. Once again I was proven wrong, they had a blast and did really well. I'm so glad we took them. 

Lake Murray is such a beautiful place, I had no clue it was so big. I think the hubbs and I will definitely be going out a time or two again for a camping adventure. I LOVE his smile in the picture below, if only I looked half way decent then it would be perfect.

After some fabulous homemade chili by yours truly we sat around the fire chatting away. Kaira and S decided it would be a fabulous idea to fill the watermelon with peach vodka and later indulge. I kindly passed as I have seriously sworn off any type of alcohol for the time being after last weekend.

The pups did great in the tent, a little confused at first but over all they seemed to find a comfy spot and didn't wake up till 7am the next morning. Sleeping through the rain and all, gosh must be nice to sleep so well were ever they can pass out. 

It was a great first night, no catastrophes or problems to be reported which is a good thing in my book!!!

~DAY 197~