2005
This year has gotten off to a GREAT start for camping. Two weekend outings were planned and we got to Appalachian Campground in May, and Robin Hill Camping Resort in June. Also in June, we planned a long weekend (Thurs 6/23-Tues 6/28) in Cape May, NJ. We had a great trip. The weather was great (except for our last day there). The kids had a great time swimming and visiting the Cape May Lighthouse. It was our first trip out in our new home-away-from-home. In July, we had an extended weekend at Appalachian Campground. The weather wasn't as nice this time. We did get quite a bit of fishing in, and the kids went swimming. The entire Duckworth Clan came to visit one of the days. It was nice to have some friends there to hang out with around the campfire. Although we had some problems with our new camper, it was still a nice get-away from the hustle & bustle of back home. We had wanted to go camping in August, but Paul's work prevented that idea. Instead, Stacie & the kids went to Tennessee to visit her parents. The kids had a great time playing with the neighborhood kids and swimming. The highlight of the trip was the tour of the Bristol Raceway. Our annual Columbus Weekend in October with all the gang was an adventure. For starters, what should have taken 1 hour and 10 mins to get there - turned out to take 5 hours! Unbelievable traffic jams due to road construction on Route 78. Also, the weather did not cooperate AT ALL. It was the most wet camping trip we have experienced so far. Over 8 inches of rain in 36 hours. Flooding everywhere. We made the best of a bad situation. The kids still had fun playing with the Doll kids. Paul caught up on some sleep. Stacie just enjoyed hanging out, chatting with everyone. The costume parade and trick-or-treating was held inside the hall. The kids enjoyed ceramics. Sunday ended up to be a nicer day (no rain!) so we had a big campfire all day long.

This has been a wonderful year for camping. And we're anticipating the fun times next year already!

2004
This past summer was a real bummer for getting away anywhere. Paul's work schedule kept his weekends tied up (working "10 on - 1 off" shifts), and we were getting ready to have Stacie's father move in temporarily until his retirement in February 2005. (Stacie's parents bought a house in Bristol, TN and her mom moved down there to get the house ready for when her father retires.) We did manage a day trip to The Land of Make Believe. Stacie and the kids had a GREAT time at the water park. It was definately a fun day! And also to Camelbeach Water Park. The whole family spent the day together. It was the last day of the summer vacation, and the temperature was a little chilly, but the park wasn't crowded and the water wasn't too cold. It was a fun day - and a MUCH NEEDED getaway for Paul.

And we finally got to go camping!! We had to de-winterize the camper to go, but we had a GREAT time at Appalachian Campground. Unfortunatly, Paul and his work schedule made him leave on Sunday afternoon. The kids had a good time trick-or-treating and at the Haunted House. Mostly, they spent their time at the pond or the game room. We couldn't have asked for nicer weather.

2003
So far, 2003 has been a quiet summer for camping. Paul has been working a lot of weekends, and the weather has been really crummy with rain. We did plan an 8-day trip to Washington, D.C. in July. We stayed at Cherry Hill Park just outside of D.C. The weather was HOT & HUMID, but it did not rain. We had a really nice time, and the eight days passed at a nice pace. We saw Arlington National Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Vetran's Memorial, Washington Monument, the White House, Ford's Theatre, National Air & Space Museum, National Museum of Health & Medicine, and the National Zoological Park. Out of all the sites we saw, the kids liked the pool at the campground the best. (KIDS!!)

We also had a 4-day weekend in August and camped at the Four Seasons Campground in Scotrun, PA. It was Lauren's 9th birthday and Mimi, Papa, Chris and Charlene Jones (and Brittany, too!) came up to visit for a little cookout and birthday cake. The next day the family went to Camelbeach Water Park. We had an excellent time.

In October, we had our annual Columbus Day Weekend Campout at Appalachian Campground. There were 27 of us this year!!! The Brown's, Roseberry's, Rivoli's, Cerami's, Doll's, and DeVoe's... 12 adults and 15 kids. The kids had a blast because everyone had someone to play with. The weather was great! Sunny and warm during the day, clear and cool at night. We deep fried two turkeys. They came out great. And the kids had fun with the Halloween festivities. Can't wait till next year!!!

2002
This year we went to Keen Lake in Waymart, PA with the Roseberry family; Robin Hill Campground in Lenhartsville, PA by ourselves; and Appalachian Campground in Shartlesville, PA with the Rivoli's and Roseberry's. It seems like Appalachia Campground is getting to be quite the annual event. We go over Columbus Weekend for the 4 days, and the kids get to go Trick-or-Treating in costume. It's really a good time. This year the weather was yucky/rainy. But we still had a good time!

2001
We took a couple trips this year. In July, we camped at Lake George RV Park. That was really nice! The weather was great, and we went with 4 other families that Stacie works with. The kids loved having some friends along to play with. We took the kids out on a speedboat (if you want to call it that! It had a govenor on it so our top speed was about 35mph!)

We also got to head up North, to Michigan. We camped at the Mill Creek Campground about 2 miles outside of Mackinaw City. Stacie's parents are from Michigan, so she has most of her relatives scattered throughout the state. We had a really nice time. It was colder than we had planned. But our site had great views of the Mackinaw Bridge and Mackinaw Island. Mostly we enjoyed seeing GiGi - Stacie's grandma. It was her 2nd time seeing Lauren (1st was when Lauren was 11 mos old) and her 1st time seeing Kieran since he was born! Kieran was sooo cute when he met GiGi. He said "I've missed you so much!"

We also went to Eagles Peak and Appalachian Campground, both in Pennsylvania, in the fall with the Roseberry family. We enjoy camping with them a lot.

2000
Well... we finally got to take a few trips the past year!! It's over 5 years since we've been on a "family" vacation (and that was before Kieran was born!) Long over due!

We bought a camper this year (6/00). A 25 foot Coachman Catalina Lite 248tb. It's been great. The kids love sleeping in the bunkbeds, and Paul and I have our own little "room." All the comforts of home, too. Just how we like to "rough-it." Hahahaha.

Our first trip was to Walt Disney World, just two days after picking up the camper. It was a long drive, but went very quickly. Here are some pictures of the great time we had while down in Disney. There would have been more pictures if the weather had cooperated with us, but it didn't. It rained every day. We still had a blast, though, and can't wait to go back again.

We also camped at Triplebrook Campground in Hope, New Jersey for a weekend. And at Otter Lake Campground in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. That one was for a week and we had some friends come visit. The kids had a great time riding their bikes and throwing rocks in the lake.

I hope to get some pictures of our camping adventures scanned for you all to enjoy. Check back again!