Week 46... So Yes, We Went Camping

Greetings:

Ahhhhhh yes, last week, I mentioned that we were going camping for the weekend...  and that we did.  The weather was perfect, the food was perfect, my cigars were perfect, the lake for my kayak was perfect, and the camping area was perfect.  Toby, our dog???  Now that's another story.  Well, and then there were those danged coyote's.  And oh yeah, "Jeremy" too...

OK, so as we sat around the dining table on Easter Sunday afternoon playing Yahtzee with some of the kids, we decided that it would be really cool to go tent camping while the weather was still somewhat cool and not too hot to go.  So, the "plan" was set in motion.  Donna got on the computer and over the course of the next few days, she found a place not too far away that "looked" like a good place to try.  It has been a while since we have been camping and our camping "main-stay" had become over run with a breed of ants that made it impossible to continue going there.  So, we settled on Double Lake Recreation Area in Coldspring, Texas, just North of Houston. 

Almost there...

...Made it!!!

OK, you know when you go camping, there is always the "set up."  You have to unload all your stuff and then set up your site.  You know, you have to work for about an hour or maybe more, so you can then sit back and relax...

Our Tent...  Ready to Go

 

John, Sami, & Munchkin's...

Munchkin enjoying the Hammock in front of Stephen & Lauren's tent...

After Friday night burgers, a campfire, Libations, and a cigar, the weather would bring a rather cold night of sleeping.  But cold promotes "snuggling" and that is never a bad thing.  

Saturday turned out to be a perfect weather day.  Lots of sunshine and just right warm temperatures.  The frisbee and football were thrown about, volleyball was played, and my kayak got wet...

The Tobester...  Before things went South for the Little Guy

In his own chair, nose up in the air!!!

It was "On like Donkey Kong" on the Volleyball Court

I think Munchkin got "Busted" here...

And here:  Munch wanted to push Papa off the shore...

...And she did a good job!!!

A look from my View...

Lauren took it to the edge...  way out there!!!

Sambo & Munchkin  hit the water too...

My Kayak...  Done for the Day

So, back at the Camp Site, it was time to shower, settle in for the evening, prepare dinner (OMG), and build a fire.  Stephen would make his specialty:  Slow Cooked Grilled Baby Back Ribs...  He "knocked it out of the park."  I added some grilled Link Sausage and Baked Beans.  YUM!!!  Sami & John started our campfire, and I reached for a Cigar.  Of course, there were S'mores too.

Our Camp Site...  Chillin' on Saturday Evening

 

The "Dudes"   L to R:  John, Slu, (Toby), Shane, & Stephen

The "Dudettes"   L to R:   Donna, Sambo, Munchkin (with Jeremy), Lauren, & Porsche (and Toby hiding)

Shane & Porsche made it for Saturday Dinner (Ribs)...

Saturday night Campfire, courtesy of Sami & John

As cold as Friday night was for sleeping, Saturday night was nearly perfect:  Not too cold, not too hot.  It was perfect.  And then...  the Coyote's made their presence known.  Not once, but two or three times.  Thankfully, not in our camp, but they were not far from us and they made sure they woke us up.

Sunday was another beautiful day.  Sunday is always "break-down" day.  The sad day.  It's go home day.  Throughout the weekend, Munchkin made a new friend.  "Jeremy."  It took her a while to warm up to him, but once she did, she wore him out...  He was probably thinking:  "Aren't y'all leaving today?"

Munchkin and her new friend, "Jeremy"

The funny thing was that everywhere we walked, she would see one of these little guys and say:  "Jeremy, how did you get over here so fast?"  And poor Toby...  Dude got sick and could not keep anything down.  Bummer weekend for him.  Bummer Monday for us:  $280 Vet Bill!!!

OK...  one last pic.  I found a friend as well.  While breaking down the tent:

Inside the Tent...

Well, that was our weekend in pictures.  Lots of fun.  And we are already trying to figure out when we can go back before it gets too hot.  

Takin' it "To the House"
 

Last week, in my "15 Things About Myself," my #4 stated:  I am a Pandora listening Freak-a-Zoid.  Later that day (the 12th), I received an e-mail from Pandora.  It stated that I was nearing my "Free Listening Limit."  Ha!!!  I never knew that you had 40 Hours per month of free listening before they charge you, unless you are listening on your PC, which I rarely do...

I love My Music!!!

Music:  This week, in keeping with the Camping "Laid-Back" theme, I want to share a tune that I truly love.  It's laid-back and it would have been perfect around the campfire.  Kumbaya...  I'm kidding!!!  No, I hope you will give this tune a listen.  From Santana, one of my fave's:  Europa...   

Quote:  I saw this quote a few days ago, remembered it from back in the day, and just had to share it...  It is just too cool:  From Shakespeare, "I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but I see you are unarmed."  How great is that???

Market Watch:  A bit of a down-slide for both Facebook, closing yesterday at 25.69, and the Dow, closing yesterday at 14,537...  although the Dow is still looking very strong.

The End:  In the books!!!  I appreciate you stopping by very much.  Thank You and I hope to see you back next week.  Til then...

Be safe, be smart, and always Smile...  It's "Happy Friday"

adios...  vaya con dios