Where did that weekend go? It was a four day weekend for us as we took the Friday before Memorial Day weekend off from work and yet it flashed by like a regular weekend.

We left home on Friday around 9:00AM after a quick business meeting and headed for the storage lot to pickup the trailer and set out for Fort Wilderness Campground at Disney. After a quick run home for the items left behind in the freezer, we headed out around 10:00AM. No traffic to speak of and smooth cruising to Disney.

We arrived around 1:30PM and were assigned to space #908. We could not have asked for a more perfect space as it had a greet place for walking the dogs and nice forest cover as well as easy access to the Trading Post. We setup and prepared for a hot extended weekend, and hot it was! All weekend in the low to mid-nineties and very little breeze. The temperature by itself wore us out, let alone the additional activity.

We were blessed to be visited by family all weekend, with Wes dropping off Logan to stay through Sunday and the rest of Logan’s family joining us on Sunday. As usual, Logan was full of energy and we enjoyed seeing the world through his growing eyes. Friday night was burgers on the grill and then Wes headed back home.

On Saturday we were busy outdoors all day. We went exploring on the golf cart, took a boat ride, checked out the playgrounds, went swimming and ended up making s’mores at the big bonfire. We even had our pictures taken with Chip of Chip and Dale. Bath time and a quick cartoon was enough for that day.

On Sunday we mostly stayed around the campsite until the rest of the family arrived, keeping busy with the various camping toys available. Once everyone was there, it was off to the playground (though so hot) with fun for everyone. Since only six would fit in the cart, I stayed back with the dogs and watched a portion of the Indy 500. I always so enjoy that as it reminds me of so many good times over the past years, even being up at the lakes and listening to the race on the radio. It is more than just another race and one of the few times I truly get homesick for Indiana.

Sunday closed with cupcakes to celebrate Gavin’s birthday and then a dinner of fresh bratwurst on the grill. Somehow we made it through the heat and still managed to remain patient and civil to each other. It wrapped-up a great time together.

Oh, I must mention the use of the new Bliss Lights. We are still figuring out how to make the most impressive display with them, but they were pretty cool. It needed to be really dark to see them best and we needed more foliage in the immediate area to make them really pop, but it was pretty impressive anyway. In fact, our neighbor dropped by twice to inquire how we were able to string all of those lights in the trees.

Monday was a get-up and get-going day as we needed to be out of the campsite by 11:00AM. We wrapped up and headed home without incident or worry. Another great memory vested in our collective memory scrapbook. I doubt that as those three kids grow they will truly remember this weekend. My hope is that it serves as a good foundation that as they look back over the years, they know they were loved and special to their grandparents.

Anyway, another one for the books. We are glad we had the opportunity to do this and now look forward to our next camping adventure.

Thanks,

Captain Skip

Two happy campers!

Rounding up the pinecones

Playing with the camping toys

Another awesome weekend of camping was highlighted by being able to to share the adventure with our Grandson, Logan.  We had a wonderful and busy weekend punctuated by smiles, giggles and all out fits of laughter.

Jeannie and I took Friday off so that we could travel to Fort Wilderness and arrive in the daylight without any real schedule stress.  We were initially assigned a site in the 400 loop but asked if we could change to something closer to the dog walk.  We were the directed to site #718 which was perfect and just across the drive from where we stayed last visit.

A quick back-up into the site, make connections and time to spare to relax.  Jeannie had driven the golf cart to the site when we arrived so all we really needed to do was connect the Internet and relax.

The weather was a perfect 85 degrees during the day and low 70’s at night.  No rain or blustery conditions at all, although just up until the trip, both had been forecast.

Wes brought Logan to our campsite around 5:00 PM and stayed as we enjoyed burgers over a charcoal grill.  Everyone was excited and we knew we were in for a good time.

Saturday Logan awoke to Sailor and Zephyr licks and was all giggles at 7:00 AM.  We had a fine breakfast that included “Capt’n Crunch Loganberries” as we call them along with some reading and games.  After breakfast we took a golf cart ride to see the horses and tour part of Fort Wilderness.

Lunch was a special camping treat as Logan and I toasted grilled cheese sandwiches in the cast iron sandwich makers.  We prepared the bread, layered in the cheese and put the sandwich makers in the charcoal fire.  Much to our delight, the sandwiches turned out to be the best grilled cheese sandwiches ever!

Jeannie and Logan went to visit at least three playgrounds while I caught a quick nap.  On their return Logan and I went on our much anticipated nature walk.  We put on our explorer hats, took our cameras and hit the nature trail.  To be sure we had good communications we took our new “Rocky-Talkies” with us and discussed every squirrel sighting that we encountered.  We were on gator watch along the swamp but did not see any this trip.

Saturday evening was filled with cooking our steaks over the charcoal fire and then going to the Disney Campfire.  We successfully toasted marshmallows and made S’mores getting nice and messy in the process.  It was a blast!

Bath-time and Netflix led to a good nights sleep followed by another awakening by dog lick.  Breakfast and pickup by Wes brought the visit to a much too quick of an ending.  It all went by so fast and was so much fun for all of us.  I know we really enjoyed the time together and I believe Logan did as well.

Now not to say that we are not tired.  Keeping a four-year-old engaged is a full time job.  Logan is a fine boy and it is a joy to be able to spend some quality time with him and further our relationship.

We enjoy our outings to Fort Wilderness as it gives us about three hours on the road in each direction.  Just like in our sailing days, we can pretend that even though we are traveling a familiar route, we could be going anywhere.  Someday if everything continues as hoped, we look forward to ditching the schedule and roaming the country to see what we have missed.  We take these opportunities to imagine what it will be like.

Anyway, another weekend has drawn to an end and the Island Time has another adventure in the books, with great memories attached.  The more we do this the more we like it and I am not sure how that is possible.  Our memories are now filling with family adventures and relaxing time with the Island Time.  Without a doubt we are making a great investment.

Thanks,

Captain Skip

Camping at Fort Wilderness

Island Time at site 718

Sitting in the bleachers awaiting the Campfire

Logan and Jeannie playing games at the picnic table

Toasting grilled cheese sandwiches

Playing with the ball of magnets at the table

Logan on the exploring trail