Johnson Sauk Trail

This past weekend, we went on our first real camping trip of the year!  Last summer, when I was about 8 1/2 months pregnant with Jude, we purchased our 5th wheel camper.  I must admit that, at the time, I was VERY skeptical about how much I would see the inside of that thing this year....or even next.  Much to my surprise, camping is a huge hit with our kids!!  Both of them!!  We now have at least 6 more trips planned for this year involving the camper trailer & I'm truly excited about each of them.  It's so great to get away from the busyness of being home and feeling the obligations of housework, yard work, etc.  It truly fulfilled the meaning of "family togetherness" for us and I had many moments of sublime happiness.  Hopefully all future trips do not disappoint!

Aaron's mom, Lesa, and his sister, Ashley, came along with us this weekend in Lesa's new RV.  It was the maiden voyage of her new toy, so we were all excited for her to try it out! We left Friday morning in hopes of spending the whole day enjoying the great outdoors because the forecast for Saturday looked rainy.  We managed to get all set up at our sites, take a bike ride, go to the park, go fishing, roast marshmallows and hot dogs over the fire all before dark!!  It was great!  Around the fire that night, we got a bit creeped out by the bats flying over our heads, but I just kept telling myself "one less mosquito, one less mosquito...." every time I saw them.  It helped marginally.

Day two, which we thought was going to be spent indoors, turned out even more beautiful than day one!!  We did it all again!  Park, bike rides, walks, fishing, checking out the Big Red Barn, an impromptu trip to Good's Furniture in Kewanee....  Another wonderful day, topped off by cheeseburgers on the grill and homemade fruit pies cooked over the fire....& maybe a couple marshmallows too.  Then it was off to bed.  Our camper has two bunk beds and one queen bed.  Maya, the queen of the camper, sleeps in the queen bed with either Mommy or Daddy (depending on who wants to listen to the snoring that night :) and we put a rail up on the bottom bunk for Jude.  The couch lays down like a futon for either Aaron or me.  Both kids slept like we were at home.  I'm telling you, this thing is just like a house on wheels.  It sure beats a hotel any day!! 

Sunday came and we took one last bike ride and trip to the park in the morning before cleaning and loading up for the drive home, which was only about an hour and 15 minutes.  We got home around 2:30 in the afternoon and by 5:30 that evening, we had already booked our next trip to return to Johnson Sauk Trail for Labor Day Weekend.  I'd encourage anyone to make the trip there sometime!  It's a beautiful and peaceful park!