Camping Trip #2

This past weekend was our annual family camping trip (minus Anna and Matt - Canada is a long drive). This year, we went to Big Spring in Van Buren, MO. We, of course, took Harvey and Evan was our first passenger in the back on the way down. 

The start of our family camping journey. (Yes, that is PBR in the background. We ARE going to the river, so I guess we had to bring the river beer...)

Evan riding in the back of Harvey on the way there - our first passenger!

Our campsites were right by the river, with paths behind each of our sites down to the water. It was a bit buggy and muggy, but still nice. 

Our campsites at Big Spring in Van Buren, MO.

Mom and Dad at breakfast the next morning.

Morning conversation at the breakfast table.

Ollie, chilling in the grass.

The pups hung out in my folks' Airstream in the A/C while we went floating.

Ollie chilling (literally) in the river. It was a hot day. And he doesn't normally like getting in the water.

We tried to put the dogs in a little raft, which they weren't too fond of so it didn't last long.

Floating!

We opted to get a raft and a canoe this year instead of all canoes. Because my back had been acting up (I have a pinched spinal nerve - not too fun) we thought the raft would be a bit more comfortable. (I have an awesome family, willing to flex and change plans!) We weren't sure how we'd like it compared to the canoes, but we actually ended up liking it a lot. For a 10 mile float, it was WAY more comfortable on your tush and back. So we were all happy we made that choice. Jackson and Rachelle opted for the canoe, but hung with us most of the time. 

Rachelle, getting ready to go find some crawdads!

And Brannon and Evan decided to join her to cool off.

Jackson and Dad.

Our power paddlers...well, kind of. Dad kept having to tell them to keep paddling from the back.

And Jackson with Mom and Dad.

Dad steering in the back.

And mom and I got to chill in the middle.

Me with Mom and Dad.

We did less paddling and more just floating. Jackson and Rachelle tied onto our boat and we just chilled.

Stopping for a break.

Family. (And yes, this is a self-portrait. Nice work, babe!)

Relaxin' and Sunnin'.

Big Spring

We went to the Spring after we went floating. The water was blue and beautiful. 

Big Spring in Van Buren, MO. Beautiful fresh clean water.

A pretty bug and flower Brannon found at the Spring.

A wonderful family camping trip!