Monday morning at 3 am Matthew, my best friend Clara and I piled in the truck while Husband and my little brother hopped on the bike. We met up with some friends in Salem IL and headed on down the road. We stopped only twice on the 6 hour trip so we made really great time. We jumped off of the interstate at St. James MO and made our way down the very winding, very hilly road to the came ground about 25 miles farther on from Salem MO. Very near Round springs right on the river.
We got there before our site was cleared out so we headed down to the river to play and check the river. The weather was wonderful and the nights were so cool that it made sleeping very easy. I had to reserve this site back in Feb so it is worth it as it is the only site that has its own little beach. And the special part is that the beach is actually sand and not rock as all the others.
We rented a couple of intertubes and all of us floated down to Pull tight spring then had to walk back carrying a very tired Matthew in one of them. Half way back to camp he decided he was missing out so he bailed out on us. The next morning we were picked up by the bus and carted all the way up to Akers Ferry and let out with our canoes and yaks. Clara and I had Matthew in our canoe and he was soooo good all day.
We stopped several times to let the kids play and of course let us big kids play too. We stopped at this one spot that is always so crowded but since it was a weekday we had it all to ourselves. The water is so clear and blue there with a sheer rock wall right across from the shaded rock beach. Our little dog Cody had a blast chasing the water balls the kids were throwing, though he knew better than to get out very far. We built a small fire and roasted some hotdogs while we were there which is something we had never done before. Always took sandwiches but this worked out so much better and really made the kids happy.
Ran into a large group of teens and counselers from a church camp. Poor things some of them were backwards and some were tipped over, while others just bailed out of the boats in the rapids cause they couldn't figure out how to steer. Let me tell ya that along that stretch of river there is only one small "treturous" spot and even there you could stand up and wade out. We did almost tip there as Clara and I were walking the boat to the other shore to avoid all the piled up boats and she forgot that you can't turn the boat sideways in the current or it will overturn. I grabbed hold and planted my feet all the while telling her to move up a bit. Bub was super good and didn't move at all from his little chair.
Husband and my brother got caught in the middle of those kids and poor Cody dog got trapped under soem of the boats and wedged underwater under some brush. Husband and Cole fished the little black dog out and he chose to travel the rest of the way in our safe canoe!
Spent the next day sight seeing and went to Emonence(sp?) to some of the tack shops and little store. Ate a great meal there and headed back to our little beach for some much needed margaritas and down time. It was great. We swam a little and had a really big supper that night too.
Here is our camp site. just to the right of the camper and down a short ravine is the river. You can hear it plain as day while you are sleeping. No electric and the water is a bit of a hike up the hill but it is a really nice place to camp.
Here we are waitning on the bus to come get us. Left to right is Matthew, Husband, Clara and my little brother Cole. He is 13 and 5'9. Oh and Cody dog who knows all to well what is going on. Been doing this every year for over 8 yrs now.
Heres Matthew playing in the sand on Wensday. He had sand everywhere and I do mean everywhere!!! But he was having soooo much fun!! LOL
This one is my favorite by far. I only wish Cody hadn't slipped in there. But I just loved how the sun was on Matthew in this one.
Husband got this shot of me getting out of the water but at least he didn't get my poor legs in the picture. They are so white you would have been blinded!! LOL
Here is a good shot of the river from our little sand bank. The water was a bit higher than it was last year but it was still wonderful. I have gotten where I miss the sound of it when I come home and if I lived around there I would ride to the river just to sit and listen.
And finally this is me and my best friend Clara. She came home from Texas to go with us and we were both a bit tipsy after drinking her special margaritas. They are strong but oh so good. We each had a small glass full and that was enough for the both of us, the heavy drinkers that we are. HA She had a good time as did we all this year. I think this was one of the best years I can remember. Husband and I got along the whole time which as we all know is easier on everyone. I cooked some great dutch oven food and they did the dishes. Who could ask for more!! We made the long trip back home squished in the truck like little sardiens. 5 people and one little black dog makes for a tight squease and we all were happy to get out at the end of the day on Thursday. All in all though it was a great vacation.