Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Lake Erie

...was awesome in a completely different sort of way than our previous getaway. It was awesome to create memories with those I love the most- husband and kids. We were extremely bummed that Adam wasn't able to go with us. We left early Thursday morning and went to East Harbor State Park; it's on a peninsula northwest of Sandusky.

We had to go see the lake first thing!




Our camper supposedly sleeps 8- I suppose that's true if all the kids were 5 and under. We've always felt a little cramped with all of our big kids and so this time we borrowed my mom's little pop-up for the girls to sleep in. All the kids pitched in and we were set up in no time.





A good portion of our days was spent in the water...






or near the water...











or eating...











One day Jerald, Laina and I took a stroll down the beach and out on this walkway made of huge rocks.






Another day, we went to the Marblehead Lighthouse- the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes, built in 1819.





We snuck in some family pics at the beautiful area surrounding Marblehead.





"ewwwwww...that's disgusting!"


On our last day, we were able to play Bocce ball on a sandbar surrounded by water.




Other random pics...










Camping is actually one of our favorite things to do with our kids. It's a totally relaxed atmosphere, no schedule...sleep when you want, get up when you want, eat when you want, read when you want and is one of the cheapest family-oriented activities there is. It creates great, good times and lasting memories. There's nothing like sitting around a campfire, talking, roasting marshmallows, just being together. We've thought about other family things we could do; let's see...Cedar Point (we saw it from the lighthouse)- $315 for the day, Disney World- $525 for one day, Kings Island- $330. It really gripes me that these places are all about family, but one has to remortgage their house to go.

And so, I guess we will stick with camping for now...it's a lot less stress anyway! The only thing we are praying for is the opportunity to take Dan & Chris! :)

7 comments:

Kati said...

We tried camping. (when our kids we're 6, 2, and infant) For some reason, I didn't enjoy it.

Your experience looks awesome! I think we'll try again in about 5 years!

Sorry Adam couldn't go with you. In all the pics, it seems like somebody's missing. :(

Jessi said...

That is so cool Margret! we were just at marblehead too in june!


Shaun wants to go camping, but I prefer to wait until they are about the age of Laina :)

That's so neat to see you all out on the beach playing ? ball (sigh) family time is such an important, wonderful thing, but seems like few people do anymore. I missed seeing you at church on sunday...see ya this sunday :)

Charity said...

If you talk Dan and Chris into camping, maybe they'll be able to talk Danny into trying it sometime. :) But I'm with Kati and Jessi - it looks like it would be a lot more fun when the kids are older.

(I'd love to know the story behind the picture of you and Gerald standing on the beach - there's gotta be a great caption for that one!)

Margaret said...

we've always camped, as long as I can remember...that's all my family ever did for vacations. Jerald had to sorta be indoctrinated. :) But, yes, Kati, Jessi and Charity, it is MUCH easier when the kiddos are older.

Photo caption:
"Ohhhhh...I get it", she said.

Chris said...

If you can find a camp ground with maid service, air conditioning and clean sheets on a Serta matress - let us know. We may try it out sometime.

You almost (notice I said ALMOST) made camping look fun. :0)

Chris said...

Chris said...
Yikes!!! I forgot the most important "must have" for camping-
A PRIVATE clean bathroom, with soaker tub and flushing toilets!!!!!!!!!!!!

August 15, 2008 7:23 AM

Margaret said...

Chris- let's see...
Maid service- my girls could be bought
Air conditioning- we got that
Clean sheets- check
Serta- there's varying degrees of serta mattresses
Private bathroom- no one else is ever with me in the bathroom, so that makes it private, right?
Soaker tub (or shower)- I always got soaked when I showered
Flushing toilets- yep