Pipsissewa grows along the trail at Camp Living Waters
Adventure Village Camping Trip-- July 4th Family Trip
Thurs. July 2 thru Sunday July 5, 2020
Kenny, Dana, Jared, Lydia, & Gabriel Koogler
We wanted to take a camping trip with the entire family. Meaning both our kids, their spouses, and all the grandkids. Despite lots of discussion and trying to figure a time when it would all work out... we realized it wasn't likely to happen. Crystal and Adam had too much on their schedules already. Finally we decided we'd just go with Jared, Lydia and Gabe. Gabriel had been begging to go camping for months. He is fun to go camping with.
We made plans to go to Adventure Village again to stay. He loves the little cabins there. He climbs up and down the ladder to the loft. Jared, Lydia and Gabe would stay in the cabin while we'd stay in our camper. Gabe, Kenny and myself left on Thursday morning and got there about midday. Jared & Lydia would drive over on Friday. We got our camp site situated and had half day left to do something fun. We went swimming in the pool. Played with Gabe on the playground. He rode his little grizzly four wheeler around the grounds. We couldn't face the grocery store or town this evening. Gabe rode his new birthday bike a lot. The only thing he wanted was a Spiderman bike!
Gabe on his bike. I think this was taken by his other grandma Debbie Wilbourn.
I am just using it because I forgot to snap any pictures of him riding his bike at the camp.
I am just using it because I forgot to snap any pictures of him riding his bike at the camp.
We figured we'd get up Friday and hike before it got too hot. We'd head back through Brevard and get lunch, groceries and circle back to the campground. Lydia and Jared would be on about midday.
We took Gabe to see Looking Glass Falls. We have been many times, but he had never been. We knew it was likely to be very busy, but we'd just tough it out and go anyhow. We found a parking spot and Gabe gasped when the falls came into sight. Every one we encountered was pleasant. It did our hearts good to be there and see what REAL America is like. Not "media reported America".
We saw white, black, Asian, East Indian people all getting along. All having fun. Helping each other. Offering to take photos for each other. I opened my mouth to speak to the family in front of me taking pictures. Before the first syllable came out another lady said "Get in there! I'll take one of your whole family for you."
Mom, Dad, two beautiful school age daughters with elaborately plaited hair. It melted my heart.
above: Gabe and Papaw check out Looking Glass Falls(click the link for the video)
Above: The falls from closer to the base.
Above: Gabe's wonderment at the waterfall. You see that pump knot on his forehead? He got that during the week playing in the sprinkler with his best buddy Dylan. They collided!
Next we moved on to Slick Rock Falls. It is not far away. It is a short walk from the parking area. It was already hot and getting hotter. We had never taken time to visit this little falls in all the years we've been going there. Below are several images of Slick Rock Falls.
We took Gabe to see Looking Glass Falls. We have been many times, but he had never been. We knew it was likely to be very busy, but we'd just tough it out and go anyhow. We found a parking spot and Gabe gasped when the falls came into sight. Every one we encountered was pleasant. It did our hearts good to be there and see what REAL America is like. Not "media reported America".
We saw white, black, Asian, East Indian people all getting along. All having fun. Helping each other. Offering to take photos for each other. I opened my mouth to speak to the family in front of me taking pictures. Before the first syllable came out another lady said "Get in there! I'll take one of your whole family for you."
Mom, Dad, two beautiful school age daughters with elaborately plaited hair. It melted my heart.
Next we moved on to Slick Rock Falls. It is not far away. It is a short walk from the parking area. It was already hot and getting hotter. We had never taken time to visit this little falls in all the years we've been going there. Below are several images of Slick Rock Falls.
Below is a video of Slickrock Falls
We got our errands done and headed back to the campground. It is worth mentioning that Brevard has a few more restaurants opening their dining rooms than last time we were there. Many businesses in downtown are now open. Know up front if you go to some stores in downtown.. especially O.P. Taylor's Toy Store.. masks are required. Some of the stores that require them are also selling them for folks who don't have them. The toy store is one that does this.
If you go to visit the best thing to do is go prepared and just mask up. It is hot as Hell, but if you want to shop you have to comply. With covid19 numbers climbing I don't expect the mask requirement to go away anytime soon.
Once at the campground we put groceries away and got ready for the pool.
We went swimming and it was wonderfully refreshing! There were not too many other folks in the pool or around it. It was easy to social distance. I'm sure the chlorine was killing any germs. The kiddy pool was off limits to all. I think that was probably for the best. Kids are sweet, but they are little walking, talking, mobile booger factories. Biohazards on foot!
Jared and Lydia got there and checked into their cabin. Gabe had to greet mom and dad. Catch them up on our doings and go start his laps up and down that ladder! He was very conflicted that evening as to which he wanted to do. Sleep in loft in the cabin? Sleep in the camper with Nanny? The loft finally won out. He could not resist. He's a great little sleeping buddy. He is so snuggly.
Saturday morning we had pancakes for breakfast. We got out and went hiking before it was hot. Lydia is six months pregnant with our granddaughter.
She was quick to remind us she wasn't doing any LONG hikes! We went to see Courthouse Falls and Cody Falls only to find that the road was gated. The back up plan was Camp Living Waters which we had passed on the way there.
Next we stopped by Lemon Falls along Macedonia Church Road. It is a pretty roadside waterfall that is a little hard to find. It is so hidden in the thicket of rhodo if you didn't know to look for it you'd never know it was there.
It is a pretty spot and I always like it. We had fun playing around the creek where it was cool and shady. The rocks there are flecked with pieces of mica that look like gold glitter.
Below is a video of Lemon Falls
We went back to the campground and spent the afternoon swimming.
We wore ourselves out. Dinner was steak on the grill and broiled salmon, baked potatoes and corn on the cob.
We built a camp fire and made smores for the first time in years! We visited some with our fellow campers who were very friendly. Lots of kids! Lots of dogs! The dog across from us wanted nothing more than to get to play with the little boy. He perked up every time he saw Gabe! Kids like puppies. I think dogs like little humans.
We laughed alot and then went on to enjoy the fireworks show the campground put on. It was great! The night was cooling down. No bugs except lightning bugs. The fishing pond looked pretty in the dusk. Sunset was pretty.
All in all.. the perfect end to a fun day.
Below: one of the cabins at Adventure Village.
Above: pretty scene of the camp office and the reflection on the pond.
Below is a video of our family Raver with his fire dance. Joe Lindsey.. Yeah. I heard about your fire dance this year. Yikes! You and Adam. What one of you doesn't think of to get into the other one surely will. haha!
Sunday was spent with a leisurely breakfast. Giving Lydia birthday gifts because today is her birthday! Packing and getting ready for the drive home.
It went well and we had no road work or wrecks on our drive home.
Big thanks to Adventure Village and the Owens family for such a spectacular, All American Fourth of July weekend! Can hardly wait for the next trip!
Above: Illustration of Joe Lindsey's 2020 fire dance. lol
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