Memories on Memorial Day

Went caravaning again this past weekend--four lovely days over Memorial Weekend at Lake Jordan's Poplar Point.

I can't yet get Andrew into a kayak, but he does like to sit in a sit-on-top (courtesy of Doug-up-the-road), when it's firmly grounded.

Fishing is his big thing now. Teach a kid (3) to fish, and you have time to either fish with them, or even read a book. He has his cast pretty well off pat, which is a fine thing to see. The patience will come--playing with the live bait can sometimes be a bit more fun.

Further dry land adventures

The WeeOne and I headed off for another weekend away in the caravan to Jordan Lake's Poplar Point Campground: I didn't need too much encouragement to make it a three-day weekend with him, in our 1972 Compact Shasta.

While the weather wasn't shorts-friendly as last weekend's trip, we still had a grand time. One good thing about picking a site with power is that one can turn on a small heater for the jolly chilly mornings one encounters. And we left the kayak on the roof of the 4Runner...

I also dug out the old and very worn awning that was thrown in when we bought the Shasta, which was great for Friday's showers.

Once again we spent many an hour on the bikes and exploring Jordan Lake's beaches. I now appreciate that boys throwing rocks into water is an inherently male genetic trait.

And Doug-and-Kathy-up-the-hill joined us on a beautiful spring Saturday for lunch and a walk on one of the campground's many trails. Every bridge had to be checked for taniwha!

Dry land adventures

While FliesWithKiwiBird's away in San Diego for a week or so, and instead of writing up this year's completed-last-week Everglades Challenge, I took the WeeOne camping in our 1972 Shasta Compact. Right on our own doorstep, aside Jordan Lake--our paddling training lake--is the quite wonderful Poplar Point Campground. Half-an-hour from home, and away in the wilds of a State Park. All for $23 a night.

Timing it just right for the WeeOne's afternoon nap, we arrived. He awoke: "Are we there yet?" I remember travelling like this with my folks--no stress.

Mat laid, chairs out, bike tyres pumped. Bless his heart--not even three yet, and we spent most of the weekend cycling around the campground, exploring the lake's beaches. This time I brought my own bike. The WeeOne rides a peddle-less Strider running bike, but I can't keep up with him now, running.

We lit the obligatory fire, and scoffed S'mores well into the night. Cannot believe how many the chappie's puku quite readily took. And, yes, we are wearing shorts--first time this year.

Camping's even better when your bunk mate wakes up with a smile on his face.

Bit chilly in the morning, but not enough not to push a few trains around while mum rustles up some scrambled eggs and bagels,

And we're off again next weekend!