Sept 06 Campout

Photos from our camping trip 22-24 Sept 2006 to Whitewater Memorial State Park, Indiana.

Friday Sept 22, 2006
	Tim starts setting up camp.		Daniel's new friend.
	Waiting for the rest of the campers (and the rain!)	After a good soaking and setting up tents and flys in the dark, we finally got dinner around 10:00! We were ready for bed!
		Daniel is "out like a light"
Saturday Sept 23, 2006
	It was a wet night. The rain on the tents and tarps made for good sleeping. Most of us got a little wet the first night and learned the finer points of keeping tents dry - the hard way!
	Mmmm - flapjacks on the griddle!		Daniel and Caleb waiting for breakfast.
	The Diases got breakfast prepared first (it was quickly obvious that they were more practiced at this!)		Andrea, Susan and Susan working on breakfast
	The Diases eat well too while Susan and Tim snap snap Paparazzi-like pictures.		Caleb, Luke, and Daniel asking God to take care of their new caterpillar friend.
	Seth, Sharon, and Susan Warming up by the fire.		Patrick relaxing a bit after a good breakfast.
	Tim making sure he doesn't spend another night without a lantern.		A light morning sprinkle feels refreshing on the face - ah the smell of the woods, the rain, the fresh air, and a morning campfire. Susan enjoys the moment
	Susan enjoys A quick lunch before the kids set out on the afternoon hike.		Tim is amused at Daniel's choice of Cheetos for dessert.
	Monica enjoys the lunchtime cuisine.		Luke is ready to go and enjoying a little ball before the hike starts.
	The hiking group is unhindered by an afternoon shower and ready to enjoy a walk in the rain.		Rachel inspects Our first encounter: a Box Turtle down near the lake.
	Four happy campers, one very unhappy turtle.		On the trail.
	Daniel running a little low on energy.	Sharon, Susan C., Seth, Luke, Patrick, Caleb, Rachel, Daniel, and Tim enjoyed the hike in the rain (or so everyone claimed), having discovered many treasures and made it all the way to the beach and back (2.2 miles) with no casualties!
		The "after" shot. A little wetter, but having much fun.
	Seth expresses his enthusiasm as the afternoon weather begins to clear.		Patrick inspects A rousing game of "Skip Bo".
	Daniel shares A little umbrella and a big heart with Sharon.		After Patrick, Susan C., Seth, and Tim go for another hike on the "Easy-Rugged" trail, it's time for supper ... yea!!
	Susan C., Seth, Sharon, and Monica tend the fire while Eagerly awaiting the grub. Tim and Daniel return from a "hike" to the restrooms		Tim seeks a place to sit and eat other than The Kids table.
	As the sun begins to set, it's time for Everybody's favorite campfire treat: s'mores!!		Susan L. does the taste test. The verdict: "Mmm mmm good!!" (but a little messy too.)
	Tim and Daniel are A couple of tired guys after a long day of fun and new experiences.		Evening Tales around the campfire.
	Patrick and Rachel are Off to bed - well Rachel is anyway.
More rain and cooler weather that evening would have made for great sleeping weather - that is, if the tents had been drier, and the giant raccoons hadn't attacked! At 0600 hours, a highly trained team of advanced tactical attack critters performed a textbook raid on the campsite. At least 4 very large (judging from the 3-inch+ muddy footprints on the table and coolers) commandos executed a "shock-and-awe" raid against coolers, trash bags, and cooking equipment. Even the garbage bags that were hung up in trees were not secure! No one was spared. Thanks to the Loobies and Susan C. who responded with a coordinated counter-attack, routing the noisy critters and cleaning up the campsite! Not surprisingly, the kids slept right through it.
Sunday Sept 24, 2006
	SUNSHINE at last!! Patrick cooks up 3 dozen eggs.		Whatever you do, DON'T drop 'em!!
	Andrea "mans" the Bacon Station.		Diases whip up some fruit cocktail.
	Passing the time, eagerly awaiting breakfast.		Daniel and Monica; new friends and fun times.
	Nothin' tastes better than food cooked at a campsite or on the trail.		Now fully awake and All gassed up, the kids are ready for another day of Fun and adventure - but this time, in the sunshine.
	Airing out some slightly soggy tents. Remember - always tuck in your ground tarps!		Sunday Morning worship and story time. Tim teaches on The story of Jonah.
	After some cleaning, drying, and a quick lunch of cold-cut sandwiches, the Loobie's decide to depart for home. the rest pack-up most of the campsite, but Diases, susan C., and the Millers can't resist one last hike on this beautiful day.
	Seth and Tim look for salamanders and skinks in the stream bed.		Monica and Susan enjoying the view of Whitewater lake, a new friendship, and a near perfect morning.
	A Rest stop by the lakeside. Daniel decides that all rocks should be located at the bottom of the lake, but keeps his trusty light-saber close at hand.		"Hi ho, hi ho ..." Daniel leads the way.
	Monica takes advantage of a "vine swing"		Seth show his best Tarzan impersonation
	Daniel gives the vine a try with a little help from Dad and Monica		Arriving at the destination, Daniel and Luke check out the "overlook"
	A thirsty Daniel enjoys a quick drink from Daddy's canteen		Daniel and Tim - like father, like son.
	SETH!!! There's a big bug crawling up your pants!!!		While Andrea forges ahead to take a picture, Luke leads the rest on the way back. Daniel enjoys an apple and a helping hand from Daddy.
	Tim finishes packing up a slightly soggy tent as everyone else clears out for home.		Can we fit any more "STUFF" in here?
		Daniel, less than 5 miles outside the park.
Thanks to all who attended and helped make the weekend so enjoyable. See you again next year!!