Milwood Spring Camping Trip

 

A weekend before Easter, 6 brave families packed up a passel of kids and stuff (plus one pregnant belly. Julie you are my hero!) and spent a wonderful weekend camping at Inks Lake. This has become my favorite State Park, hands down. There is SO much to do. Not only do you have the lake at your disposal there are also beautiful hiking trails, playgrounds for the kiddos, paddle boarding and kayak rentals, a giant Teepee, really cute general store and restaurant, and a sweet little treasure called Devil's Watering Hole where you can jump off the cliffs and explore mini caves (the former not recommended for littles...or anyone over 30 really).

 

 

During meal prep, everyone not on food duty chipped in to help keep the natives from losing control. Joel chose the hammock as his post and was rewarded with an invasion of littles.



Some of the dads on water patrol.

 Swimming and playing in the lake is so very tiring. A nap is always welcome.

Melt. My. Heart.

Kids were melting down all over the place so temporary nap spots were invaluable.

 Two nights of camping leads to inevitable conflict. The boys were upset with the girls and we found this gem of a note in one of the tents.

"Molly is poop. Molly is weird (I think). Molly is toilet." Nice.

 

Each family brought two dozen plastic eggs for a good old fashioned egg hunt. We stuffed them with non-perishable items; I made the unfortunate mistake of putting whistles in a few of ours. What. Was. I. Thinking?

 

 

We were camped out in a little cove off the main road so the kiddos had free reign to ride like bandits.

Is that a bungee cord Gabe is riding? Ill advised.

Other fun activities included tree climbing and monkey imitations, kite flying that of course ended up somewhat of a disaster as the winds were a bit too strong, Rainbow Loom creating, and getting as dirty as heavenly possible. We also ate some really good food! Each family was in charge of one major meal. This made it so easy on everyone in terms of preparing for the trip and packing purposes. One morning as we were cooking enough bacon for an entire city block, several people came by and commented on how the smell was wafting throughout the entire park. We also had some fun late night talks and shenanigans after the littles "went to sleep" (more like flung themselves around until they couldn't see straight anymore). At one point the Ranger had to come ask us to quiet down. Yes we are grown adults. With children. Sorry Ranger. 

 Please note how filthy Emmy is. That is a sign of fun times. Ultimately, the weekend was a success. No one bled (too much) and no parents lost their marbles the duration of our stay. A win in my book. We are so thankful for such a fun community and group of friends!