2010 Trip 3 - Fremont State Lakes

Its good to finally get out and be able to wear shorts and a t-shirt, now it was a bit windy so sweatshirts were in order in the morning and the evening BUT to finally be out when the temp is in the 70's was fantastic.  It was a bit windy at times, well that is anytime we were not trying to fly the kites :-).

We camped with Pat/Brian and Noah and Noah's buddy Joe and Jodi/Bernie and Blacker so I took the camper out Thursday evening to stake our "claim".  Probably was not needed BUT we wanted a certain area where we can all be side by side with a big "yard" to share.  Nebraska State Parks are not generally reservable until closer to Memrial Day so its first come first served...  A big plus is that they were still charging winter rates and $13 for an electrical is a great deal. 

Friday night we had a roaring campfire and sat around and drank some GREAT scotch that Bernie had brought along.  The margaritas Jodi made were pretty tasty as well.

Saturday morning brought the usual routine of coffee sitting outside the camper, man it really is relaxing and peaceful in the mornings.  We had other guests during the day as well as most of the Mitchells, Henkeinus's and Schuberts stopped out along with Travis and his girls.  I had thought maybe Hildings might stop out but it is Masters weekend.  We broke out into a battle of FARKLE which yours truely won as well as the bean bag toss and threw the football around a little.  I really like the SOCIAL aspect of camping and had a nice time.

Saturday for supper Bernie tried out his new "Can Cooker" and Brian and I cooked with the dutch ovens.  That can cooker does a real nice job and the Pizza out of Brian's dutch oven was definately something I want to try sometime.  We were all satisfied with the Saturday night meal and Brian even brought Ice Cream for everyones' Peach Suprise...

Sunday we meandered around loading up the camper, we werent in too big of a hurry and even contemplated staying another day, AHHHHH, I guess there is always next time... I guess Alyssa's T-Shirt says it best...

Until Next Time - Safe Travels

BC

Alyssa's Camping T-Shirt

Valerie and Brian "Relaxing"

Three Maidens all in a Row...

Better check the Tow Capacity of this TV...

The folks at www.rv.net/forum would have a blast with this set up.  I frequent it often and there's a lot of back and fourth about tow capacity and the such.  There are folks on there who swear you can't tow a 6K camper with anything but a 3/4 ton Diesel and there are also folks on there who say you can tow a 12K camper with a 1/2 ton truck.  They are affectionately called the "Weight Police."  This post if for you guys...

We came across this setup this past weekend at Fremont State Lakes.  My buddy Brian told me he saw them unloading a SMART Car out of the back of the Toy Hauler.  What an AWESOME set up... :-)

Good Old, Close By - Stand By Park - Louisville SRA

Why can't you camp and still honor your spiritual beliefs, you know there is a Catholic church within 20 miles of everywhere in the US... 

The weather was supposed to be 55 and rainy on Friday but we planned on going anyhow, thats why we have a camper and not a tent.  We'll by the time we pulled out of Omaha on Friday it was 70 and sunny, BONUS... (We were at site 154) 

I got a second bigger dutch oven over Christmas and really want to start doing more with the dutch ovens, the food is ALWAYS so good cooked in the dutch oven.  We made it a double stacker on Saturday night, peach surprise in the smaller dutch oven and cheesy augratin potatoes in the larger one.  They both cooked up pretty well using the stacking process.  You have to be aware of your heat and length of time to cook when you go stacking ovens and both of these called for about the same heat and about the same time so it all worked out well.  The cobbler could have used 5 less minutes and the potatoes maybe 5 more but part of the fun of cooking with the ovens is learning as you go.  It was very quiet at supper and everyone liked it so it was good.  I want ONE more so I can gook three courses at once for meals so we'll be shopping for another one soon... Probably looking for one right between the sizes I have now.

We had a guest on this camping trip, the first time this guest has come along.  Brandon came along with Alyssa and I believe they both actually had a pretty good time, bike riding, watching movies, sitting by the campfire.  The possibility exists that they may have been a little boared or at least Brandon may have been but I think its more understood that part of camping out is SITTING AROUND with your feet up not doing a whole lot....   That understanding probably comes with age.... LOL...  Pat, Brian and Noah stopped out for a bit on Saturday afternoon as well, its always good to visit with them.  I know their camper is coming home soon so maybe next time they can join us.  :-)

We didn't get a chance to thow the fishing lines in the water this trip, we were going to but noticed a LOT of FISH carcases around the lake we were set up by.  Upon further review this lake and one other at the park really suffered from the freeze this last winter and basically we were told that almost all of the fish in these two lakes died off due to lack of oxygen and the hard LONG winter freeze.  With my patience for fishing I wouldnt have lasted long without at least getting a nibble or two every now and then...  :-)  I guess the plan is to "shock" a couple of the other lakes at the park and bring some fish into these spots...  ANYHOW, if you at Louisville check in to see which lakes will have fish and which ones wont before you go about your business...

As it was Easter Sunday we did plan to attend Easter services Sunday morning.  Our initial plan was to drive to Plattsmouth for the 8am Service.  After a late start and a wrong turn we found it to be about 5 minutes to start and we were still 20 minutes away according to Maggie.  PLAN B - a couple phone calls and a re-route and we ended up in MANLEY Nebraska (actually closer to the park than our original plan) for the 9am service.  VERY nice little small town church in Rural America, we had a nice service and Valerie and I were VERY glad we made the extra effort to make it happen...

After the service it was back to the park to pack up then off to Judy and Daves for easter lunch, easter egg hunt and all the fun that goes with bringing the family together...

Sunday was a pretty long day as once we got home we cleaned up the camper and ended up taking it back to the storage facility, but the time we made it back home it was close to sunset and we were all pretty worn out...  MUCH more relaxing on weekends that done include extra plans on Sunday but it was all worth it..

Happy Easter and Safe Travels, until next time... Bc