Maryland, Florida, Arkansas, Maryland 2016

Well we actually got on our way on time. We left at 5:00 am.  Any thing to avoid Washington DC traffic.  We hit some really heavy rain a good part of the way to North Carolina.  It was so heavy, we considered pulling over for a while because visibility was so bad.  But radar kept telling us we would hit clearing soon, so Bruce kept driving.  We stayed at Lazy Acres Campground in Fayetteville, NC. Easy on, easy off the highway.  OK campground but not really worth $37.  It rained all night.  Hard to sleep with the storm going on.  The rain was so deep on the roof that it overflowed the the bathroom vent lip and leaked so much we had to put a pan under it.   Got a good start Thursday morning.  Finally got south of the storm line.

Having the Family at Wilderness

We spent five days at our Home Campground, Wilderness/Presidential, in Spotsylvania, VA at the end of August.  We were fortunate to have our sons and their families join us for some of that time.
Erich and Yogni, with Jayan (4) and Deven (7 months) joined us Thursday night thru Sunday afternoon.  Chris, Candice and Brandon (7) were able to come down Saturday night and left Sunday night.  With everyone having such busy lives this was a real treat for us.

We reserved a FHP site next to a Park Rental so there was plenty of room for everyone.  This is the sites we reserved (of course that is not us to the left at the time of this picture, but you get the idea.).

The weather was unkind for most of the time, but we toughed it out Thursday night and had
a fire and roasted dogs, etc.  Friday was more of the same. It was so hot that we ended up
visiting more than anything else.  Saturday evening was just a bit better.  We were able to have
a fire and eat outside at the picnic table.  The boys did Smores and played with "Fire Sticks",
with the guidance of the Dads.They had so much fun searching for wood for the fire.   Of
course we ate and ate.  One of the great things about camping.

Cheers!

Sunday dawned much cooler and Erich worked out a hike at the Motts Run Reservoir.  We did
about two miles round trip.  Along the way we saw the ruins of a silo and large barn.  Here
are some pictures of our guys and our young explorers.







































Bruce left around 11:00 am to drive back to the Metroand join our neighbors Eric
and Thomas at the Nats game.  This was a commitment made before the camping
trip was planned. Erich and family had to hit the road early Sunday afternoon.  Before
they left Chris, Candice, Brandon, Jayan and I visited the new Adventure Park at
Wilderness.  This was a loop with five obstacles 20 to 30 feet in the air with a zip
line at the end.  Brandon did a fine job completing the circuit. After Erich left the rest
of us spent the afternoon at the Presidential Pool. Brandon made several friends and
had a good time.  We all tried to play volleyball.  Had fun trying, but not too athletic.

Back to the campsite in time to make pizza and wish Chris and family a good drive home.

It sure was quite after that.  I was missing the little knock, knock, knock on the RV door from Jayan the next morning.  Bruce and I thought we would have a quiet day of exploring the area.  Not to be.
On the way out of the campground just before the gate a heater hose popped in the truck.  Two hours later we waved goodbye to the truck on the back of a tow truck. Fortunately we were within walking distance of the RV.  Packed up the next day and drove to Fredericksburg AAA where they had the truck all fixed and ready to head home.

I am already planning another family camping trip next summer.  There is nothing like family and
having the grand kids was wonderful.

A Little More Fanily

You only have one first camping trip Deven.

It was great being on this hike with the family.  Hope this is just the beginning of a long list of hikes.