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"

Natural Tunnel SP VA - Labor Day 2013

We enjoyed Natural Tunnel SP so much the last time that we decided to head back for the Labor Day weekend.  This time we had spot #12 in the Lovers Leap Loop.   Cove View is nice, but Lovers Leap seems to have a little more privacy and the sites are more level.  Had to use the BAL-Leveler this time, but only a few cranks.

 Site #12 - Lovers Leap Loop

 My daughter wasted no time starting the hunt for anything that moves.
"Nothing Escapes.... THE NET"

First victim....  Katydid  

Sometimes one isn't enough.  "You can never have too many walking leaf's... LOL"
Kadydid's are very tame..one hung out at the table the whole time we ate lunch, had to make it leave. "Friendly Bugs" 

This little guy wanted to hang out with us.

My daughter "The Moth Wisperer"

 The moth must have called his friend over "Damselfly"

 The Kids do their thing at night

 and I do mine.....

Whats better than one tiny lizzard?

Two tiny lizzards....

"I think they will just fit in my brother's ears"

 It's always good Mom & Dad show up to spend time with us.

Sunday it rained till 1:00, just hung around the camper till it finally decided to stop.

So I just took in the View.... It just don't get any better than this....  

High Stakes Uno game going on 

Finally the rain ended and it was Pool Time.....  

Where an old man can still be a kid.... 

 Trying to drown her brother.....

My favorite State Park pool.....  

Monday we hiked the "Purchase Ridge Trail" about 5 miles RT

  Here we are at the overlook deck

 A nice view of the tunnel from here

 Found a rest stop along the trail, too many spiders have setup shop.  "No rest for the weary".

When the going gets tough... "The Tough Get Crazy" 

Daniel Boone's Original Assult Rifle.....

In 1775 (Before the St. Louis Arch) they had "The Block house".  Which was the Original
 "Gateway to the West"  

Back in the day... they used to put kids to work alot earlier than they do now.

That gives me an idea..... "Future Christmas Present??"

  Ready to pick some berry's.... 1770's style....

Hangin out in the herb garden....

Ready to load up and head for the house.......

Natural Tunnel gets another "two thumbs up".