for the love of camping

You may remember my trepidation when I first took the dynamic duo camping last Summer. However, it turned out to be great fun, and the girls had such a marvelous time that I somewhat resignedly (hey, camping is WORK) decided I better upgrade our little pup tent to a more significant shelter, and my parents helped out by contributing a ton of camping gear this past Christmas.

And so, back in the Spring we began exploring with our camping mates, Shauna and MacLean, where we might adventure this year. Being in tents, we weren't thrilled to venture into more northern locations where bears might be a factor. We checked out many places but were directed to Port Burwell Provincial Park on Lake Erie by a friend of Shauna's. Apparently a gem of a park with marvellous beaches, we decided to take a chance on the unknown and booked a site.

Wow.

We LOVE this place. And when I say "we" I'm not talking about just the girls. Shauna and I, and Shauna's good friend Mel who joined us, were over the moon. While most of the rest of this post will be photos to hopefully share some of the beauty of the place, I'll provide a little narrative too...

The Thompsons and Mel arrived early Thursday afternoon in a heatwave and were melting by the time our tent was up. Shauna and MacLean weren't due to arrive for some time so we headed to the beach under pure blue skies.

As we walked over the rise from the car park, My jaw dropped and Mel and I looked at each other and then the horizon in disbelief. We could have been in Florida.

Look at the beach! Huge, sandy, and the water...warm, warm, warm. The girls threw those boogie boards into the waves and were off...

After great fun, we headed back to meet our friends at the site...

...and found them with their tent up and pooped out from the heat too.

Our new camping home...

We headed back after dinner so that all three girls could have another swim ...despite the setting sun, it was still really warm...

The heat continued...the adults actually had trouble sleeping that night though we slept on top of the sleeping bags in our tents and had all the windows wide open. Bryanna, ironically, spent some time that evening knitting her scarf, started with Auntie Kim back in July.

Friday morning, the forecasted rain finally descended. We were patient, the kids played, and we took advantage of the campground laundry facilities to dry the soaking towels. But around 11 am we finally decided to escape the downpour and headed to nearby Tillsonburg for a couple of hours. After a great lunch at a small-town diner and a brief shopping expedition, the sun returned and we hurried back to Port Burwell and the beach.

Wow again. The storm had awakened the surf and we all had an amazing adventure that afternoon - the girls threw themselves into those waves...what a blast!

That night we dined on Jambalaya made by Mel...we will definitely need the recipe for that creation...Cass had 3 helpings!

The cool weather finally arrived overnight and we were happy to have a hot breakfast the next day. While Saturday was too cool for the beach, we enjoyed exploring the park and just relaxing.

By early evening, the clouds had cleared and we took a long walk in the sunshine all around the campground.

Last night was colder still, but the girls (and me too) think we like the cold better for sleeping...snuggled into our sleeping bags and covered by three thick afghan blankets, it was cozy in our new, big tent.

This morning we packed up in the sunshine and returned our site to the tidy place it was when we arrived.

We bid farewell to wonderful Mel, and then - sad to leave this place we enjoyed so much - Shauna, the girls and I headed back to the beach for a last look at the surf. (Auntie K - we think S. would love this place too!)

While Summer technically continues for a little longer, this was really our farewell to a wonderful July and August full of adventures with our family and friends. Port Burwell allowed us to end the season on the high note that will set the tone for the Fall.

Till next year!