Our Botched Camping Trips

Last Friday Todd called me up and told me the kids and I are going camping with him in the morning. I was packed and ready to go an hour later. I was so excited to finally go camping for the first time this year. Todd picked us up at 7 am sharp and off we went. We where headed to the second tallest waterfall in Oklahoma. The state park was beautiful. We stopped by the office to get a camping spot and was told one of the rules is NO SWIMMING! We decided not to camp and just walk around the park for a while to see all the natural beauty of the state park. Here is the kids in front of the sign leading into the park.

In front of the dripping springs.
The waterfall
On the bluff line looking at the waterfall
A 5 foot long snake on the trail





Since we couldn't go swimming, we went looking for a camp spot. The second spot was right under the highway. It was a run down, ax murder in the middle of the night kind of place. Needless to say we just kept driving. By this point we decided to just go to Kyles Landing on the Buffalo River in Arkansas, we were only a hour away. We pull into town and realized every person in Arkansas decided to go canoeing and camping. The river was up and everyone wanted to be on the water. We got out and let the kids play in the river for a few hours. The water was still way to cold for my liking. I just sat on the bank and watched happily. =) After much thought of trying to decide what to do, we decided to start heading back to town to find a hotel for the night. On the way back we took a hour long detour down a dirt road. We where literally in the middle of no where, somewhere in Arkansas.

Here is a few pictures of what we came across in the middle of no where

A Church Established in 1844, still open!

So, this is how our day ended. A nice comfy bed and a indoor pool.

This weekend

Todd and Becky have been fixing up her boat she inherited from her parents for the past month. It was finally ready to hit the water this weekend. The girls where so excited, they have never been on a boat ride before. At the last minute we decided to go camping for the weekend on Skiatook lake. We head out first thing in the morning. We get there and the boat wouldn't start! We thought it was the battery's. So, we pack up and head back into town and bought 3 brand new batteries. Get back out there and the boat starts. We put everything in the boat and headed out to find a camping spot. We found one on a island and set up our camp as fast as possible. Get back in the boat and it wouldn't start! It took about 5 minutes and it finally got going. We drove about 5 minutes and it died. This time there was no starting it again. We where stuck out in the middle of the lake with 6 kids for 3 hours! I had to call highway patrol to come tow us. When they finally came to get us we knew they where not going to take us to our camp to get our stuff. Luckily Aunt Jacque's boat was on Lake Skiatook. We all headed to Jacque's house. Becky, the kids and I all stayed to go swimming. Todd picked up the keys and headed back to get the boat and go pick up all of our stuff off of the island. As if the day couldn't get any worse on his way his Jeep got a flat. =(

So this is how our weekend of fun in the sun ended again. In a pool!

I am coming to the conclusion Todd is bad luck. I'm not sure I really want to try to go camping with him again. Do you all remember what happened last year when we tried to go camping together? It rained the whole time. Anyway the kids had a blast swimming, even if it was in a pool. I don't think they ever want to step foot in a boat again! We finally figured out what was wrong with the boat. Apparently you have to add oil to the gas! So, now it need a new motor.

Todd had his kids all summer. The girls are so happy that they get to spend the summer with there cousins! I think I will try to plan other activities than camping ;)