Fourth of July Weekend - Day 2

We had a blast on day 2!!!

 My turn to make breakfast!!  

 Back and Rainbow Springs for Canoeing, Kayaking and Paddleboarding!

  She was excited to paddleboard!  The last time she did it was in Washington last year, and she was a pro at it!

Rental prices weren't bad at all.  If you aren't out there for the full hour they only charge you in 15 minute increments.  I believe for the time we had them, we paid $40 or so.  They do offer a 10% military discount.

 They didn't have any single kayak's available so the three of us were in a canoe, and Kennedie got a paddleboard.

 She is awesome at paddleboarding!

 Before you could get into the water you had to get out of the headsprings area.  There is a sign in the water that says you are able to get out.  This is a little past that sign where the boys wanted to get out and "treasure hunt".

 The water is pretty deep and we didn't bring the noodles so we made Cale keep his lifejacket on because he would tire out easily from paddling to stay afloat.

 Cale thinks he is going to be a professional you tuber one day.  We got him a cheaper go-pro version from Amazon 2 years ago for his birthday, we just let him have at it in the water.

 Boys hitching a ride with Kennedie back to the canoe.

 Cale wanted to give it a go.

 Then Tim.  We brought the paddleboard and the canoe back to the rental place and the boys stayed and played in the headsprings for a bit.

 Kennedie and me headed to the giftshop that was attached to the pay window.  It had some cute stuff in there.  There is also a little concession stand.  I don't know what food they served but when we passed by, I saw they had ice cream at least.  There is also some vending machines with drinks.

 We left Rainbow Springs, back to the camper changed and decided to go down to the downtown area of Crystal River and explore some of the shops.  The sky started to look a little gloomy so we decided to have a late lunch early dinner and found a BBQ place just within walking distance.  BubbaQue's, we loved the name because we have our own Bubba!  The food was DELICIOUS!!  Tim had nacho's with brisket, and I had a brisket salad.  We decided to get some dessert and got deep fried oreo's and funnel cake fries.

 Kennedie loves all things Oreo, so when she was eating this she said it tasted like Heaven!!

It started to down pour when we were eating.  We tried to wait it out but it didn't seem to let up.  We went back to the camper and hung out the rest of the evening!

Fathers Day 2019

Decided Friday morning that we should go to Blue Springs for fathers day since it's my husbands favorite swimming hole.

 Saturday morning the trailer was packed and we were on our way around lunch time.

 It takes us about 30 minutes to park the trailer, get everything out of storage that needs to be, tie up the dog and pack the back of the truck with the cooler and swim bag.  We are getting efficient - the kids know their duties and get them done!

 We got to the water about 230 Alabama time - so we waited until about 430 to cook dinner.  Burgers and corn on the cob.

 I probably should have kept this area a little more organized...oops!

 I try to keep SOME of my camping food still keto friendly.  I had a "burger salad" as I like to call it.

 I haven't had corn on the cob in FOREVER - it was delicious!

 At Sam's I found these shelf stable waffles.  They come in individually wrapped packages.  You can either warm them up in a toaster or a microwave or eat them straight out of the package.  These will be great for Cale because he is a waffle MANIAC!!

 Tim icing his body!  I don't know how any of them get in the water - it's FREEZING!

 On actual fathers day.  We stayed in the water until around noon (got there at 8) there was hardly ANYONE there.  I told Tim we should come more often on the non holiday weekends because then it's not as crowded!!!

 This was at like 930 and there was only like 2 people in the water!

I hope everyone else had a GREAT time celebrating the fathers in your life!!!

How we pack our trailer for transport

This is how I pack up our trailer for when we are in transit.  This is just how I do it, if you have a great idea please let me know!

We have a 22ft trailer.   Our space inside is a hot commodity and we try to use our space as best we can.

 This is our trailer all set up when we first got there.

 We usually keep a bag for trash inside and a bag tied up high outside (usually on the awning).  Cale is taking out the mat and shaking all the dirt off of it.  So we could then sweep it out before we pull out.

 We use the sink to hold things that usually are on the counter.  Some of things in there were still wet from being washed, so normally the bowls and cups wouldn't be in the sink - but more electronic items that I like to have access too easily.

 We haven't put our table up in a LONG time - usually there is a picnic table, we sit outside in our camp chairs or we just sit on the beds and eat.  So under the table bed (as we call it) we keep a case of water, my husbands seltzer water cans, and there is a small heater stuffed in there.  In the cabinets on either end of the bed we have the crockpot, my small air fryer, the electric skillet, and citronella candles - in one.  In the other we have board games, a basket of small toys and a box of legos for Cale.

 We leave the tv on the bed because it's not hooked up to anything on the wall because we like "outdoor" movies when we are camping.  It NEVER slides around and is always where we left it when we open it back up when we get where we are going.  Above the bed we keep a tote full of charger cords and boxes, I keep a couple extra hats and extra set of sheets.

 On the table bed we keep the extra blankets and pillows that the kids use.

 We don't use the shower because the places we stay usually have a bathhouse that has never ending hot water, and no issue if we want to take a 30 minute shower.  So we use the shower to hold things.  All the camping chairs, pool floats and our bag that we take with all the sunscreen, bug spray, goggles and towels in.

 We also use the toilet to hold things.  The table fits right next to it perfectly and the cooler slides right in and wedges in between the toilet and the bathroom storage cabinet. Above this we have a big "wardrobe" that we keep a bin with swim suits, towels and a laundry basket where dirty clothes are tossed when they are done for the day.  I just take the basket right out when we make it back home.

This is my biggest tip.  I ALWAYS make sure that the fridge and freezer is securely shut.  The kids don't usually push it hard enough to close all the way.  When we took it out over memorial day weekend one of the kids was the last one in the fridge and we found it open when we got to the campground and a few things fell out.  I have had a jar of salsa fall and break before.  So I'm a little OCD when it comes to the fridge I will find my self checking it 3-4 times before we hook it up and lock the door.

I got this wagon for my birthday 2 years ago and it goes EVERYWHERE with us. It's so dang handy.  If you have been on the fence on getting one, pull the trigger! So worth it!

My wagon lives here when we are traveling and sometimes when we are inside.  It fits perfectly.

 Once we have everything put in and safe, we back the truck up and hook it up.

 If we aren't hooked up to a full service site (sometimes they only have water/electric available) we have to go and dump the tanks.  In this back storage compartment - we keep our bug spray - invest in the BIG jug - you'll need it for your camp site - GUARANTEE IT! We also keep a bag of disposable gloves for when we dump tanks - no one wants black water on them.

 We hook up to the tanks and pull the black tank lever first (this is waste from your toilet).  It CAN be stinky - especially if you are in a hot climate.  We hold down the nozzle end so we don't accidentally get sprayed if it doesn't stay in the same position.  Once we hear the rush of liquid slow down we go to the top of the tub and move water that may have settled in the crooks of the tube to make sure it makes it's way down into the disposal tanks.

 You should NEVER dump your grey water before your black water.  Use your grey water (it's just the water from the sinks) to rinse out your hose after the black water has flowed through.

Once that is done you can continue on to your next destination.  I hope this helps SOMEONE that is just starting out and needs some ideas.  Once you start finding every usable nook and cranny other ideas will just pop up!!