Camping - Bald Mountain

We went camping at Bald Mountain Campground, in Hiawassee, Georgia, with some families from church. It was a good weekend to camp, and I had been asking to go SOMEWHERE since I had the weekend off from work. That doesn't happen often anymore since I have to do so many Fridays and weekend days.

Another family had asked us to join their group, so we decided to go here. A first for us. It was just under an hour, but over the mountain. Reasonable. We threw in an extra kid for fun... (Carsen Baumgardner)

Lydia's RockStar move

The girls... Ruth, Lydia, Maggie, and Carsen Baumgardner

Bennett.... he DID have boys to play with after all

Master Jedi!

 Our campsite was right on this creek. A very cold creek. But a great swimming and  playing area nonetheless.  Our other camper friends caught on quickly and joined us in the water.

Ruth, Carsen (dead fish) and Maggie

Yes, Carsen requested I take this picture of her holding a dead fish

 We also took a few dips in the pool... which was almost as cold as the creek. The girls enjoyed hanging out here for a while and I tried to stay warm while supervising. The first day, it was cold. The second day, we enjoyed sitting by the pool. Go figure... June being too cold to enjoy the pool?!?!

Will and Wyatt Woody also joined in the water fun

Wyatt and Bennett - jumping off the stands

Super cold - but determined to enjoy it.

Ruth and Carsen - deep in "I will if you will" about jumping in the water

Wyatt Woody

Bennett jumps

Brave Ruth goes first for the girls

Maggie 

Carsen Baumgardner jumps too.

Our neighbor, an older couple, invited the kids to come roast marshmallows over their campfire.  He had 8 bags to get rid of - we just ate 2 each.  :)

Ruth and Carsen in the camper.

I'm pretty sure Carsen and Ruth talked until after midnight. I finally fell asleep at the other end of the camper, listening to their giggles.  THEN they were the first to wake up the next morning. I had them lay back down and be quiet (is was 6:30!) and we all fell back asleep for 2 more hours.

Maggie is curled up under all this.

Saturday morning cards and hot chocolate/apple cider.

The girls entertained themselves while I made breakfast. It was a cold morning. The forecast was to be 48 that night, but I'm not sure of actual temps. I do know the air was cold - but the sun was HOT. It didn't take long at all to warm everyone up.

Carsen and Maggie are ready for their pancakes and bacon

Bennett and the boys found a swimming hole.... and a "rapid" worth tubing

Wyatt Woody and Bennett

Ruth jumps while Maggie, Wyatt, Carsen, Nix and Bennett watch

Carsen

Maggie

The tubing tunnel - Carsen, Maggie, Ruth

the girls... jumping from the bridge

Putt-putt in the sun to dry off and warm up after cold creek time!

Zoe Burkett, Nelson Wilkinson, and Carsen

Ruth, Carsen, Zoe, Maggie, Lydia (the rock star) - warming up a  bit.

Pool time!

Trying to warm up with Daddy

Lydia and Zoe - dry, but dipping their hands in the water

Smiles from Zoe and Lydia... warming up on the concrete.

Frozen 7-Up makes for yummy refreshment

the boys took a hike up the creek looking for creatures

Nix & Jon Burkett and Bennett

Nix found a salamander...

and threatened to eat it.

Ruth wanted to hold him too.

Maggie - trying not to squish Mr. Salamander before his release

Maggie - tubing through

Savannah Greene and Carsen... with the Burketts looking on

Ruth tubing through.

Ruth - shivering between rides

Lydia finally jumped in too.

Bennett tries to pick up some speed

Nelson Wilkinson

Wyatt Woody

Kevin Woody drives by and shows off his truck. Nice ride!!

Showing us his American Ninja Warrior moves

Jay Burkett and his "tubing" efforts.

Bennett pours water on Ruth

Bennett found an old water jug which he felt the need to fill with creek water, stand on the bridge, and pour a waterfall on the girls as they tubed by.  Some girls enjoyed the added adventure, while others just increased their volume and tone of screams.  It made it more enjoyable for him with the latter.

Jay and Zoe - you WILL have fun! 

Carsen also wanted to take part in the pouring.

Carsen and Maggie tubing together

Curtis, Kevin Woody and Jay Burkett - deep discussions

Last Jump - Ruth

Last Jump - Maggie

Last Jump - Carsen

A bunch of the kids

add some adults

Our Camping Crew... Shannon and Jeremy Hummel, Nelson and Julie Wilkinson, Tanya Woody, Chris and Christy Marsingill, Burketts, Davidsons, and all the kids.

Love these eyes.

So, all in all - it was a great trip to Bald Mountain Campground.  Happy Camping!