Smitty's Camping Page, Baby!

Probably one of my favoritest things to do in the whole wide world ever is to go camping and fishing. Don't get me wrong there are a few other things I enjoy a little bit more :) but camping is pretty high on the list. Being a teacher, I find myself having a lot of time to go and do these things. If you haven't ever been, you are really missing out. If you've been and you didn't like it, then I really hope you try it again sometime. It is really nice to get out in nature and just reflect and do fun outdoor types of things. I have to go camping. I mean, I'm like an addict. I gotta get my fix. Anyway, there are lot's of really neat places to go camping. Some are probably closer to the city than you think. Your state parks and widlife web site is a great place to start. There are also many national parks that are nice. However, if you really want to get off in the sticks, I suggests the national forests parks. Tent camping is my favorite, but in the summer, I usually have to get out of Texas to do this. I personally like going to the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas. I do have a favorite spot. Shady Lake. I call it a "camping wet dream" cause it's just a perfect place to camp. Enjoy the pics!


This is Shady Lake baby! I'm gettin' excited just lookin at it! This is the view from one of my favorite campsites.	Ahh, yes! Shady Lake in the morning. Notice the Sea Eagle! She's a sweet ride! Can't have gas motors on Shady Lake. But trolling motors are ok.

Here's a view of that campsite from the local racoons' perspective. One night I left the cooler out and the coons gang-raped it! They ate everything we had!!! But I've still got nothin' but love for my coon brothers and sisters.	The beautiful but mysterious Ouachita Mountains! Don't worry, all the hillbilly's are in the Ozarks. This one and the next 2 photos where taken on a little hiking trip to an area called Winding Stairs.

This is the Little Missouri River. One of my favorite rivers to fish and canoe. Smallmouth bass are native to these waters. But there is a 2 fish limit per person per day on these little fighters..	This is a place on the Little Missouri called Winding Stairs. There are some great swimming holes and huge rocks to jump off of for the more daring sort such as myself.

I've got tons of other pics, but not a lot of space for them! In closing, the best part about camping is just having fun and spending time with friends or that special someone.