We have just come home from a great camping weekend. Not completely unscathed... but no worse for wear. Our trip started with an instant U-turn because we had forgot some of our essential (according to Kim) camping gear. Somehow, Chris was able to pull our 32 foot behemoth into the most crowded gas station in Delray at rush hour! Chris is AMAZING!
After leaving home for the second time, we headed south to Pembroke Pines - destination: CB Smith Park. We arrived about an hour later and we were completely set up in a half hour!!! What a difference from our earlier hybrid camper (and of course our even earliest pop up!).
Chris' dad had arrived before us and was also set up right across from us.
The campground was empty but loud! There was a party going on somewhere. Within an hour, Chris' mom and grandmother arrived and we all sat down to some bbq'd chicken.
After that, the boys and I took a bike ride to find out what all the noise was about. A 5 min ride away - we found the source - there was a Camp In fundraiser being held right across the creek.
When we got back to the campsite we found a new delight... the lightening bugs were rising by the river bank. The kids and I tried to catch some, while trying to not be eaten by any alligators (always a hazard in So. Fla).
Then, there was an odd request for an extra nightgown - not something I carry in quantity, but Chris was able to provide his grandmother with an oversized tee shirt.
We all went to sleep with visions of a water park dancing in our head.
We woke up to a new world. In the middle of the night, Coco had chewed up Grammy's hearing aid, and some how her glasses were all mangled. Add to that that she had realized that she had forgot to pack underwear :) There's nothing better than a blind, hearing impaired grandmother going commando at the campground! Karyn and Trav set out to make things better.
They returned with some undies and a "loud n clear" hearing amplifier. Now, not only could she hear, but she was guaranteed to win all the Bingo games she attended. She looked like she was on the phone the entire weekend - but she was a tremendous trooper and showed her true grit!
After a quickie breakfast, we all headed to the Paradise Cove water park, which is in CB Smith park. We were among the first attendees and were able to stake our claim on some prime water park real estate (even snagging a table).
Time to hit the slides - not so fast. The water was FREEZING and since it was still early in the morning - it wasn't really hot out yet. But we're not quitters so blue lips and shaky limbs - we (not really me - I was more willing to sacrifice the kids) conquered the park. The park is great - its a good size with attractions for all ages. There are life guards everywhere, plenty of seating and a number of concession areas. Definitely worth another visit.
Later that day we joined up with our camping buddies, Darby, Mike, Riley and Molly. It was great to see them again and the kids were fast friends just as last time.
We had a cook out, did some fishing and hung out.
The next morning, the rain clouds were threatening so we started packing up early after a delicious bacon and egg breakfast. Darby and I took the kids to the play ground while the all the other grown ups packed the campers.
Then... minutes from hooking up... disaster struck! Our slide stopped working. Thank goodness this happened in the "in position" as it is dangerous... and illegal to drive with your living room hanging over into the other lane.
There was a great deal of cranking, neck craning and grumbling, but with the rain fast on our heels we decided to hook up, haul out and deal with it when we got home.
A quick perusal of the manual (which is much more useful if you actually bring it with you!) led us to the slide's manual overdrive which immediately fixed the problem! Thank you, Lord!!!
So now, our camper sits, until Disney or inspiration hits (whichever comes first).
After leaving home for the second time, we headed south to Pembroke Pines - destination: CB Smith Park. We arrived about an hour later and we were completely set up in a half hour!!! What a difference from our earlier hybrid camper (and of course our even earliest pop up!).
Chris' dad had arrived before us and was also set up right across from us.
The campground was empty but loud! There was a party going on somewhere. Within an hour, Chris' mom and grandmother arrived and we all sat down to some bbq'd chicken.
After that, the boys and I took a bike ride to find out what all the noise was about. A 5 min ride away - we found the source - there was a Camp In fundraiser being held right across the creek.
When we got back to the campsite we found a new delight... the lightening bugs were rising by the river bank. The kids and I tried to catch some, while trying to not be eaten by any alligators (always a hazard in So. Fla).
Then, there was an odd request for an extra nightgown - not something I carry in quantity, but Chris was able to provide his grandmother with an oversized tee shirt.
We all went to sleep with visions of a water park dancing in our head.
We woke up to a new world. In the middle of the night, Coco had chewed up Grammy's hearing aid, and some how her glasses were all mangled. Add to that that she had realized that she had forgot to pack underwear :) There's nothing better than a blind, hearing impaired grandmother going commando at the campground! Karyn and Trav set out to make things better.They returned with some undies and a "loud n clear" hearing amplifier. Now, not only could she hear, but she was guaranteed to win all the Bingo games she attended. She looked like she was on the phone the entire weekend - but she was a tremendous trooper and showed her true grit!
After a quickie breakfast, we all headed to the Paradise Cove water park, which is in CB Smith park. We were among the first attendees and were able to stake our claim on some prime water park real estate (even snagging a table).
Time to hit the slides - not so fast. The water was FREEZING and since it was still early in the morning - it wasn't really hot out yet. But we're not quitters so blue lips and shaky limbs - we (not really me - I was more willing to sacrifice the kids) conquered the park. The park is great - its a good size with attractions for all ages. There are life guards everywhere, plenty of seating and a number of concession areas. Definitely worth another visit.
Later that day we joined up with our camping buddies, Darby, Mike, Riley and Molly. It was great to see them again and the kids were fast friends just as last time.
We had a cook out, did some fishing and hung out.
The next morning, the rain clouds were threatening so we started packing up early after a delicious bacon and egg breakfast. Darby and I took the kids to the play ground while the all the other grown ups packed the campers.
Then... minutes from hooking up... disaster struck! Our slide stopped working. Thank goodness this happened in the "in position" as it is dangerous... and illegal to drive with your living room hanging over into the other lane.
There was a great deal of cranking, neck craning and grumbling, but with the rain fast on our heels we decided to hook up, haul out and deal with it when we got home.
A quick perusal of the manual (which is much more useful if you actually bring it with you!) led us to the slide's manual overdrive which immediately fixed the problem! Thank you, Lord!!!
So now, our camper sits, until Disney or inspiration hits (whichever comes first).
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