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/

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".