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| Joan, Jimmy, Cathy, Wil, Caleb, Abby, Jeff, Tina @ Bald Rock Overlook |
The family camping trip to Cheaha State Park may have been the most advertised with the largest number of people invited in our family history of camping. But due to sports commitments, work and school schedules, the final camper list included three of the core families that hit the trail together over twenty years ago!
Friday Oct 4
Joan arrived atop Mt. Cheaha first and was haggling with the camp office about sites when Jimmy, Cathy and Wil arrived to offer backup. Sites by the lake at the lower campground had been assigned even though the reservations were made months in advance. All was well after almost 45 minutes of conversation and much patience on both ends. Eventually the assignments were changed to adjoining sites 11, 12 and 13 in the upper campground! (Note for future trips to Cheaha: be very specific when making reservations.)
Joan set up on #11, which was a long and wide tent pad suitable for a road yacht, with a huge fire ring behind the tent area located very near #10. (It would be ideal to have #10 & 11 together.) Joan's neighbor on #10 was a young woman that recently lost her husband. She and her young son made a spontaneous trip from Georgie for the weekend. They became fast camp buddies. Setting up camp alone is a challenge, but the cooler weather certainly made it easier. Rather than raising a canopy over the picnic table as she usually does, Joan positioned it in front of her dome tent and used one large tarp over the tent and the canopy, creating a sassy porch lit with colored Christmas lights. It gave shade to the tent as well as cover to both in case of rain - which did not happen since tropical storm Karen lost strength at sea! It also gave room for sleeping in the air, which Joan did on the second night since she, Brian and Lora couldn't all fit into the dome tent together. (Gear needed: larger dome tent for the Watkins!)
On Friday night Jimmy, Cathy & Wil went to see the movie Tarzan being shown at the top of the mountain. Joan took this time for solitude, writing and deep breathing. Fresh mountain air does wonders for the lungs and mind of a city girl!
After an adventurous route on a fire service road with their camping trailer in tow, Jeff, Caleb and Abby took arrived safely just after dark. They took over #13, which Jimmy had held for them by parking a few items to make it look occupied. (According to the park office one should request the site they desire when making reservations, but even still, the sites are first come first serve. Huh?) Site #13 was a bit cramped for all the gear that Jeff had packed in the trailer, but because the group joined together at Jimmy's site for most meals, it all worked out okay. Tina arrived shortly afterwards the rest of her family, thankfully not coming up the mountain the same route that Jeff took! Jeff's family also brought their four-legged family member, Gidget. She did great and seemed to enjoy the adventure of camping!
Sadly, Stephen Uptain and Evan Watkins weren't able to join their families for this trip. Now that they both are living on their own and working full time, getting time off is difficult. And often time off means off without pay and that's not good either. Both were greatly missed!
Saturday Oct 5
Jimmy prepared pancakes and sausage for breakfast on Saturday morning while Jeff prepared omelets at his site. Joan visited both. Everyone ate a hardy breakfast and of Joan & Wil enjoyed the coffee with lots of creamer! After breakfast Joan hosted Wil and Caleb for watercolor painting and planning a new family t-shirt. Wil said he needed a new one because his tree one was too small. A few sketches and ideas have been sent to Smithcetera (Virginia's design company) for development. Those will soon be available for order and credit goes to Wil for the concept!
The first group hike was to Bald Rock Overlook. What used to be a moderate hike is now significantly easier because of the handicap access boardwalk. It's a nice walk through the tree tops to the edge of the mountain. Several places along the way stairs lead down to the trail so you can hop on and off the boardwalk as one is able. The trail and the boardwalk bring you to the same beautiful view. The hiking group spent quite a while playing on the rocks and climbing down to take pictures at the signpost. Caleb found climbing up and over the end of the boardwalk an interesting activity! He has mountain goat characteristics like his Uncle Brian and cousin Luke Smith!
After lunch the last two campers arrived. Lora had a volleyball tournament Friday night and Saturday morning so she and Brian were occupied. Although Lora was tired a short rest in the hammock revived her and she was in full camping mode. Brian rounded up the crew for a sunset hike back to Bald Rock while Joan and Jeff cooked supper.
Soon after dinner was consumed the family loaded up in the back of the truck to go to an Appalachian Fiddle Concert on the mountain top. They arrived after the concert had started and quietly set chairs in the back. The concert was well attended and it was so nice of the park to put spotlights at the back for the sake of shadow puppets during the concert. Everyone thought they were goofing off unnoticed until one of the musicians called on Jimmy to speak since his hand was raised. He said never mind, but the musician insisted that he speak. Jimmy tried again to shrug off the attention and then confessed, "I was just making a shadow puppet." The crowd chuckled and everyone in our crew blushed a little. It was a seriously funny and slightly embarrassing moment.
After getting back to camp Jeff built a fire at Brian and Joan's site so Jimmy's family could turn in early. Lora and Abby fell asleep in the hammock requesting to sleep there all night. Wiser parents won and they were sent to bed before one of them decided to roll over and both fall to the ground. Caleb headed to bed soon after with Gidget right behind. Brian, Joan, Jeff and Tina sat up late talking and keeping the fire going. The last night of camping is always the best, partly because the task of breaking camp is on the other side of the night and partly because there is plenty to reminisce about.
Sunday Oct 6
Brian was the first one up and headed out for a 5k run on the mountain. The fog and cool air made for a great run and he made it back to join everyone for breakfast, which consisted of toasted bagels with cream cheese, grilled cheese, omelets and of course, coffee!
Breaking camp is the worst part of any camping trip. Each family managed it in spurts. Pack a little, visit a little, work a while, sit a while. Jimmy, Cathy and Wil headed home first hoping to make it back in time for church service. Brian led a group hike to Pulpit Rock with Caleb, Abby and Lora while Tina, Jeff and Joan finished packing the vehicles and cleaning the campsites. They all met up at the tower picnic area late morning before saying the final farewells and heading home.
Conclusion
- Camping is hard work, but the time together to connect is priceless!
- Camping together takes cooperation, communication and selflessness - and it's great exercise to develop the character God desires us to possess.
- There's nothing like a campfire to bring our family together to laugh and relax.
- Cheaha State Park is absolutely beautiful and now on our top five list of campgrounds.
The next family camping trip will be in March and Monte Sano State Park near Huntsville in under consideration. It will likely be on a weekend surrounding the week of March 24 since that is spring break for Hoover City and Jefferson County Schools. Some families may be able to camp only on the weekend while others have the week free, so overlapping is an option so each family can come as needed. There will be more details available shortly via the Facebook event page. As always, feel free to invite any compatible friend or family to come along!
Quote
The rite of passage of learning to build a fire that will burn all night with one match is not an insignificant one in my husband's family, and I grew up camping and backpacking. I love to camp.
Sarah Wayne Callies
Sarah Wayne Callies
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| Jeff & Tina |
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| Joan |
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| Jimmy |
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| Cathy |
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| Wil |
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| Caleb & Gidget |
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| Sunset on Mt. Cheaha |
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| Brian & Lora |
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| Cathy, Jimmy & Wil |
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| Abby |
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| View from the sunroof |
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| Brian |
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| Lora |
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| Pulpit Rock Trail |
