Natural Tunnel SP Labor Day 2016

This years Labor Day camping was at Natural Tunnel State Park.   We're starting to make a tradition out of camping here over Labor Day... LOL  :)

When we got there we were surprised to find that there were a lot of sites with placards on them but no campers there.   Evidently someone had checked in all their buddies, without their buddies being there and put their placards on all the close spots.   To me this is not a fair practice since you are not allowed to reserve specific spots and kind of goes back to the old days of showing up early and placing a folding chair or pup tent as a way of holding a spot for your friends.  Long story short, there were only 2 spots to choose from in a campground that was half empty.  We chose the best of the two which turned out to be site #10.

Things turned out after all because of all the spots, my wife liked this one the best because of its privacy  (like having your own backyard without any other campers in site) and that it is right next to the bath house.   As long as she's happy.... I'm happy :)

First night (Steak.... its whats for Dinner... )

Second day, my daughter rescued this moth (a.k.a.  Alfred)  who was hanging around the community sink and was about to get drowned by my wife's dish washing.

Alfred liked hanging out with my daughter so much that he refused to leave and hung out with us for the remainder of the day....  We went for a short hike up the road and back... Alfred clung to my daughters shirt the whole way there and back...

Mom and Dad came to visit and brought food....  

 Family Pic's.....

Don't ask me what she's talking about ????

 Hanging out....

Later that day we took a "Hay Ride"... only without the "Hay"  though the local area around the park.  They told stories about the man who built the original fort (Below)  and the "Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail"  how it was a toll road.  How not all Slaves back then were black, some were Irish. We learned about out the many sink holes around that area and how the Natural tunnel was formed.  The thing I remember most is about the story of   Chief Benge  who was a half indian who sold captured people as slaves up north.  "He was a pretty Evil Guy"

A safe bet to find where my kids hang out .... (anywhere they can get WIFI ).... ;P

My favorite time camping is when the kids read by the camp fire.  It just don't get any better... :)

That's All Folks....

Labor Day Natural Tunnel, VA SP - 2015

This is our 3rd year spending Labor Day at Natural Tunnel. (A side note about Natural Tunnel.... The bath houses are Super Clean.... I know for a fact that they cleaned them at least 3 times a day.... 9am, 4pm, and 11:30pm..... The nicest bath houses you'll find)   

 Here is the family in front of the Rain Maker (It didn't live up to its name) checking out goofy pictures that my son and daughter made with the iPad.  

This year we tried spot 17 in Lovers Leap.  Its near the top of the hill and has a nice view of the campground.   There is shade in the morning from the right, and shade in the evenings from the left, but no shade at all mid day.  Does have a nice breeze when the wind is blowing.  

My friend Chris and his family camped next door to us.  I had a virgin dutch oven but didn't know how to use it.  Chris is a Master DH Chef and happened to have the ingredients for dump cake.  Turned out Excellent.  (I took notes....)

Mom and Dad came to visit on Sunday

My daughter found this little Dagger Moth Caterpillar.... cute and fuzzy but, don't touch the spines

Life is good in the Tomato Taco....

Hanging out in the late afternoon shade.

My DW making hot coco on the stove

Taking pictures in the dark..... You never know what your going to get..... 

Natural Tunnel SP - Labor Day 2014

This year we spent Labor day at or Favorite local SP, Natural Tunnel.  Site #5 was open right next to my good friend Chris's site.  The family likes this site because of the late afternoon shade, personally... there is a trade off with that... there is no morning / early afternoon shade.... :) 

My buddy's camper is named "Rain Maker"....  

Dad and Aaron hanging out at the waters edge.

Have to take some time out for snacks....

One of the reasons we like this SP is the Pool.... from the top of the water slide there is a killer view of the mountains.  

Brother and Sister diving contest....

Drawing Session with friends... :)

Evenings.... this year they added a new playground. 

Hanging at the camp store.... last weekend before closing for the season... Ice Cream 2 for a buck, can't beat that...

Gun show before calling it a weekend....  Had a great time, even though it rained every night and some in the days.... "Hey its camping"

Grayson Higlands, VA State Park 2014

4th of July Weekend  

This year we setup at site #26, about mid way between the two bath houses.  
The site wasn't very level... had the BAL leveler jacked to the MAX and still wasn't perfect.  I don't think there is a level spot (other than the tent pads) so bring lots of blocks, because you never know where you might setup, they are trying a pilot program to allow you to reserve a specific spot, but those spots are limited and not very many of them on the list.  Also they have no photos of the sites so I guess you had better take notes during your first visit...   One neat thing is that the camp host makes rounds in a gator full of ice and fire wood.   Wood is 5.00 and ice is 2.50 for 10 lbs. 
Yep, brought a fan, but never turned it on.  Daytime highs were low 70's, Night time lows in the 50's (Pretty Chilly for the 4th of July)  Word of caution, bring jackets to Grayson no matter what time of the year it is..... We ended up driving to West Jackson, NC to pick up something warm for the nights.

Got a hammock for the trip,  Hammocks seemed to be the big attraction last year for the kids.

Want to keep the kids from running off..... get a hammock and watch them fight for it.  

Meet "MR TREE" my daughters favorite spot in the campground and seemed to be the other girls as well.  There isn't much of a playground, only one swing set in an open field, guess that's what makes "MR TREE" so popular even through it isn't a Poplar... LOL   

Here are some views looking down the loop. 

A nice down hill run to build up speed on your bike.   She's off to visit her friends and Mr. Tree

Camp fire cooking.... Can't beat it.   "My favorite part of camping"

Food always brings them back.  

Last years GH camping blog....

http://ourfamilytreks.blogspot.com/2013/08/grayson-highlands-sp-va-2013.html

Hiking at the Grayson...  

Maggie Gap to the Saddle

http://ourfamilyhikes.blogspot.com/2014/07/grayson-highlands-at-2014.html

Campground to The Scales

http://ourfamilyhikes.blogspot.com/2014/07/grayson-highlands-at-campground-to.html

Creeper Trail - White Top to Damascus

Starting out at White Top Station.....

Green Cove Station was celebrating their 100 year anniversary.   1914-2014  

Decided to stop for a quick rest stop and some crayfish hunting.

Heading back..... The trail from the top to Damascus is a total of 17 miles.  If your feeling froggy,  from there you can go on another 17 to Abingdon. 

A big shout out to Creeper Trail Bike Rentals ..... There was no way I was going to be able to park in the lot where everyone else does.  They made room for me to park my truck with camper where their shuttles load.   From now on, they will be the only shuttle service I use.   A great bunch of guys and the shuttle is one of the cheapest... 15.00  to White Top Station where the trail starts. 
Here's their link...  http://www.creepertrailbikerental-shuttle.com/