Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow............

And snow it did. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Every good story should begin at the beginning. This might not be a good story, but to the beginning we go.

Maybe you remember, but maybe you don't, I mentioned in a previous post that "it's that time of year". Well, it is, or was, I guess. SPRINGBROOK!!!!!! Our annual family reunion, picnic, campout, etc. It's something I look forward to all year. We headed out on our adventure on Thursday. Packed up the camper, loaded the firewood and headed out. Guthrie Center and Springbrook State Park here we come.............

We arrived about 3:00 PM on Thursday and set up camp.

After we got our spot picked out and set up we headed back into Guthrie Center for supper. Primetime Cafe. Good food. I know, we're camping, but we decided we wanted to take it easy for the evening. After supper we went to the local farm supply store for a few supplies and then back to the campground. We took a quick walk, after dark of course, and then headed to bed.

Up early on Friday morning to head back into town for a couple of things we had forgotten. We got back just as Jennifer was arriving. She picked her spot, unloaded her car and then we took a hike. Springbrook has a really pretty lake with a trail all the way around it. We usually make this hike a few times while we're there, so there was no time like the present to make the first one.

Springbrook is a spring fed lake, hence the name. Here's the sping that feeds it.

Bambi was out for a walk too.

This is the bridge over the spillway.

When we got back from our hike, Michael, Jen and I finished setting up for the arrival of the rest of the gang.

And then Jen and I set up the Bocce court. (you can just see the white lines outlining the court)

Of course we took Sugar along. She really does like camping and discovered on this trip that she likes sleeping in a tent. She spent the afternoon in Jen's tent.

Cindy and Emalee arived later in the afternoon. I wish I had gotten pictures of Emalee. Cindy had bought her a fleece "jacket" to keep her warm and Jen had brought she a stuffed duck. She didn't really appreciate the jacket, but the duck was a hit.

Mel, Shelia and Mikie arrived about supper time. Michael and Jen helped them put up their tent.........

While I got the Chili going on the fire.



While the chili was cooking and the tent was going up I took a quick walk close to our campsite. Here's the brook from which Springbrook gets it's name. The spring feeds the lake, the water goes out of the lake and over the spillway (sorry no picture) and then travels on it's way in the brook. This part of the brook was right behind our camper.



(That's our pick-up in the distance)

Doug arrived with Brandon and Lauren just as we were finishing up supper. The campfire was going and everyone spent the evening sitting around the fire. Except Brandon, who spent some quality time with Sugar.

Before retiring for the night Jen, Mel and I took a walk on the dam to look at the stars. We saw some falling stars, visited for awhile and then headed back to bed.

During the night we could hear the wind picking up and Michael had to go out about 3 AM to put the awning away. Then about 5:30 Jen came to report that our shelter was taking flight. No damage done, but we had to put it away so it didn't try to run away again. And yes..........................................is was snowing.

So, while some got the fire going, I got breakfast going. We had to eat in shifts as our camper is pretty small.



We all decided that the snow and cold were making things pretty miserable, so we all started packing up to head home. We had to have a little fun though, so Jen and Cindy had a snowball fight.

So, here are a few snowy scenes from Springbrook 2009. Maybe next year we can go swimming in the lake. This time of year, you just never know.

So, there you have it................a first for us. Camping in the snow. We didn't get to do everything we wanted to and we had to leave early, but life's not perfect. Join us next year if you dare. On our trips you never know what might happen.

So, happy camping from us to you.

:-)