This weekend I took Layla on her very first tent-camping trip. The plan was to head to Rock Island on Friday night, but my car had other plans. So instead the car got a new battery Friday night and then we headed out first thing Saturday morning. I had called to reserve a spot before we got there and requested one near the bathrooms and playground. It only took about 45 minutes to get us all unloaded and set up.

We had a quick PB&J lunch then headed out to the two easier hiking trails.

Layla fell asleep on the way back from the trails and when we got back to our site she made friends with a 5 yr old girl at the site next to us. They played on the playground, read books and played Go Fish until dinnertime.

And after dinner we made s’mores.

After that we played on the playground with all the campground kids again and watched the bats doing mosquito control. We made our way to bathhouse around 8pm and got washed up and changed into pajamas. Then it was back to the tent for bed.

Layla and slept pretty well. And yes I forgot just how hard Tennessee ground is and no, my yoga mat trick made little difference. I grew up sleeping on sandy Floridian ground, but I think from now on TN camping requires extra padding of some kind. Layla didn’t seem to mind and not once was she scared, just missed her daddy. But all was fine by morning.

We made (veggie) sausage and biscuit on a stick for breakfast.

Layla was great at helping with camp chores.

After some more playground time we drove out to one of the overlooks since none of the shorter trails took you to any great views.

On the way back to camp we saw deer.

Then it was time to break down camp and head home.

On the way out we stopped at the overlook again and explored the springhouse.

It was a GREAT trip. Layla cried when we had to pack up and we’re already plotting out our next trip. I’m so glad that I just did it, even though I couldn’t find anyone to go with me & I was a little nervous going solo. I’m also glad that I scoured the internet and made a thorough checklist, because we didn’t forget anything or bring too much. Rock Island was beautiful, the weather was perfect and getting grimey at camp with my little girl was just about the best way to spend a weekend I could imagine.
Filed under: Notes from the Road, Family Updates, Mommy Musings on August 18th, 2008 | 3 Comments »