Chautauqua Lake KOA (5/23/14-5/26/14)
Having vowed the summer before to not be camping in the pop-up in 2014, we set out to make good on our promise. In January at the camping show, we bought "The Ol' Skycat" as it would later be named. A week later, we upgraded to the V6 Rav4 and got ready for a more enjoyable camping season (Sammi was especially thankful for a bathroom while being pregnant with Huck). When rainy weather cancelled our plans to camp at Lake Durant for Memorial Day, we booked with Uncle Dave and Aunt Ann at Chautauqua Lake KOA. Papa and Mimi (who were supposed to come to Lake Durant) booked a cabin with Aunt Tay and Jake. Tyler and Lauren (one month away from having Evan) came and stayed with us in our new camper. Tom and Denise, TJ and a friend, and Kayla and Steven had a spot on the other side of Uncle Dave and Aunt Ann. Although the weather was amazing (with the exception of freezing cold the first night), the campground lacked in the "charm" that we had become accustomed to camping in the Adirondack state-run campgrounds. We had fun though playing games, blowing bubbles, going to the lake, and having bonfires. Overall, we enjoyed the weekend with the family, but decided not to go back to the strictly-run Chautauqua Lake KOA.
Evangola State Park (5/30/14-6/1/14)
After a weekend at Chautauqua Lake KOA with nearly 20 people, we decided to book the next weekend just ourselves at a place close to home. We found a gem at Evangola State Park. The campground was clean and quiet and they even had a nature center! The three of us spent the weekend playing at the playground, building sand castles at the beach, and playing games around the bonfire. Great place, great weather, and a great time. We like the state park feel and having Evangola so close to home means we will certainly be back annually.
Camp Chautauqua (6/13/14-6/15/14)
Uncle Dave and Aunt Ann asked us to join them at their favorite campground, Camp Chautauqua on Father's Day weekend. We really liked this private campground. We were able to play at the playground, take nice walks, and go for a drive around the Chautauqua County country roads. The highlight of the trip was going for ice cream and walking the Rails-to-Trails scenic path (mainly to oblige Aunt Ann!). Only a few weeks into the camping season and we had already gone on our third trip. 2014 was shaping up to be a great camping year!
***Side note: just after taking this picture, Marleigh came through on the monitor saying that she had "went poopy" as she was trying to fall asleep for the night. Sammi went to check on her and there was no poopy. She obviously figured out that we were listening to her!
***Side note: just after taking this picture, Marleigh came through on the monitor saying that she had "went poopy" as she was trying to fall asleep for the night. Sammi went to check on her and there was no poopy. She obviously figured out that we were listening to her!
Lake Harris (7/3/14-7/10/14)
We finally had the big family camping trip that Luke had been dreaming about! For the 4th of July, Uncle Dave and Aunt Ann, Jake and Brenna, Meemaw, Papa and Mimi, Aunt Rachel, Aunt Jessie, Uncle Brian, Ava, Cora, and their friends Jamie and Doug (and Carter) all travelled, albeit at various times, to Lake Harris in the Adirondacks. Once again arriving at Lake Harris in a severe rainstorm, the trip started out a bit ominously. After the first night spent indoors, the rest of the week was mainly sunny and cool. Most of the others stayed for only 2 or 3 days but everyone was able to partake in some of the fun. We took the canoe out, went for walks (to keep pregnant Sammi happy), and fed the ducks! Luke and Sammi were able to golf at the High Peaks golf course, thanks to Marty and Amy babysitting, and really enjoyed the views of the High Peaks! Luke, Uncle Dave, Aunt Ann, and Marleigh in the backpack carrier went for a hike that left right near our sites and went back to the path for the Santanoni Preserve. We went to Hoss's and got ice cream in Long Lake and enjoyed time spent off the grid. The week was unforgettable and we did not want to leave. A long 4th of July camping trip will be an annual occurrence for the Gill Family now!
Lake Erie State Park (7/18/14-7/19/14)
They can't all be winners can they? We wanted to get away just us once again after a camping trip with so many people. We decided to book at Lake Erie State Park because once again, it was close to home and we hadn't been there before. The park itself was beautiful and well maintained. The campgrounds were nice too, but had more of a private campground (overcrowded small sites) type of feel to it. We spent the evening playing at the playground and making smores before turning in early because of the "cultural" family and their loud music a few sites over. The next morning we woke up to rain with a forecast that wasn't about to change. We called Papa and Mimi, who were going to meet us for that night, and told them not to bother as we were packing up to leave. In a pinch, Lake Erie State Park would do, but we don't have any need to go back any time soon.
Camp George (8/30/14)
The original plan for Labor Day weekend was to camp at Brown's Tract Pond in the Adirondacks. Lynn and Jerry George were going to share their camper with Tyler and Lauren and along with Papa and Mimi, we were all set to travel to the north country. A rainy forecast changed all of that. Instead, we packed up the camper and parked it in the middle of the new property that the George's had just purchased behind their current land in Arcade. The hundreds of acres provided a great place to have a bonfire, hike around, and enjoy a beautiful sunset. We ate good food and enjoyed each other's company for the last camping trip of our season. With Huck due the next month and school beginning for Luke, it was time to retire "The Ol' Skycat" for the 2014 season.