Fourth Of July weekend - day 1

We headed to Crystal River Florida for our holiday weekend!  We left for our 5 hour drive on Wednesday afternoon and arrived at around dinner time.

WOOHOO FLORIDA!!!!



So about my outfit! HAHAHA I wore the outfit I wore to work that day on the car ride down.  When we got there black jeans weren't fun for setting up camp, so I just changed into the first pair of shorts I grabbed!



First thing he did was go get in the pool!!!

We woke up and planned to celebrate fourth of July in style!

Woke up at 630 in the morning so we could pack the cooler and swim bag and be at Rainbow Springs State Park when it first opened at 8am.

Tim making breakfast!

We are all ready to head out!

Entrance to the Park

 

 It's a very pretty drive into the park.

 The entrance of the park is a little farther up this path.  There is a window that you pay at.  It's $2 per person per day.

They are VERY strict about their no floaties in the headsprings area.  You may only use pool noodles.

Right as you enter the park there is a very pretty view of the springs.  You have to walk down a pretty steep hill to get to the headsprings area.

They don't allow coolers down in the headsprings area.  When we first got there the park ranger said that we needed to bring coolers to the grassy area or these pavilions.  We found out later that the pavilion pictured here was reserved but there was no signs.  The people were pretty snippy with me but all they had to say was that it was reserved.  I really had to keep my cool the way the girls were speaking to me.  It was the dad that was the cool headed one of the group and the one I preferred speaking with.

We got there right when it opened so there wasn't a lot of people in the water.  The water stays 72 degrees year round.  You have to stay in that roped off area for swimming.

Recently we let her die her hair.  It's "oil slick" - it should last a few months if she cares for it properly.

Cale was impressed with these HUGE leaves.

While coolers weren't allowed in the headsprings area we kept ours in our wagon covered and wheeled it out when we wanted to snack. 

You can see some of the people that were set up in the grassy area.  By the time we left there were a lot more people!

The main headsprings area - there is seating but mostly people keep their bags on the seats.  We just set up our camping chairs.

The boys loved the water and snorkeling around and "treasure hunting".

We left around 2-3 when it was getting pretty crowded.

We went back to the campground and got into the pool!!

The lady that was watching Mason posted this on her pet sitting business page.  It cracked me up!  While we like bringing Mason on our adventures - it rained a lot and there wasn't really an area for him to hang out at the campground. 

We decided to head to a seafood place for dinner.  Charlies came highly recommended.

We ate outside right on the water.

I had scallops.

Cale had a burger and fries.  He's making that face because I mistook the cocktail sauce they gave me for ketchup and he ate some on a fry and it was spicy!

Kennedie also had scallops!

We headed back to the camper after dinner.  Right as we were leaving it really started to rain so we hung out inside the camper for the rest of the night!

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!!