Sproul State Forest Camping
The first weekend of September we loaded up the camper for another family camping trip. We wanted to get the camper out at least one more trip before it was too cold. While I didn’t grow up camping all the time but in the backyard + a few times in the backyard, Ryan grew up camping nearly every weekend with his dad growing up. We both share the love of camping and being in nature so we’ve gone a lot in the last 10 years. I’m so glad our kids currently love it too because I don’t see us stopping our camping excursions anytime soon.
For this trip we drove 3 hours out towards Renovo for our weekend of camping. Being from Colorado, we are used to long drives for awesome camping trips but locals around here seem a little surprised we go so far away. The forest is usually very quiet because primitive camping isn’t something many people choose to do around here. I mentioned a bit more about that in our last camping post.
One of the exciting things about primitive camping is finding the perfect place to camp. This trip we found an incredible spot. It might be one of the best plots we have ever found. We had all the space and it was silent. In Colorado, a spot like many we found coming in would have been snatched up but not here. I suppose I’ll take awesome and quiet plots in trade for the amazing views in Colorado – ha. It’s a little give and take. 😉
The kids had all kinds of space to run and play while we camped. We got in after dark so Ryan and I got the camper set up and got the kids settled to bed. The next morning, the kids were up and ready to tackle the camping job they look forward to every time we camp – building the fire ring and fire with Daddy. I love seeing them be so excited to be a part of the camping experience. They take turns getting to help with different projects of camping and it’s precious.
We had some rain on the trip but we lived in the moment and soaked it up – literally. So, we took some rainy nature hikes and rainy naps. A little rain wasn’t going to put a damper on our adventure.
At night kids love listening to the wildlife sounds at night and figuring out what they are while we sit around the campfire or talk a walk with the lantern. During our days they love exploring their surroundings finding little wonders, caterpillars and creatures. This trip we caught a frog, found a tarantula, came across a rattlesnake on a hike, and A was thrilled to find a Wooly-bear caterpillar that we had learned about previously.
On our way back down to the Lehigh Valley, we stopped along the Susquehanna River for a picnic lunch. It was a nice little break in the car and we got to talk a walk down to the river. The kids found a school of minnows off the boat ramp that they enjoyed watching. The view wasn’t bad either. 😉
I’m so grateful for these trips together as a family. I can imagine how much our kids will love looking back at them and the memories that came with these trips. Their summers filled with nature filled camping trips and the little traditions that come with them. It makes me happy just thinking about it.
