Red River Gorge - Day 1

We went camping last weekend! We've been wanting to go camping as a family for a long time, but didn't really know how people did that in the midwest. Growing up in California, it was easy to go camping in the summer - you either go up in the mountains or to the beach, both of which are cooler and more comfortable and it's great! But it doesn't really work that way out here and the idea of camping in the humidity where it doesn't cool down at night surrounded by bugs just didn't sound like a good time. Well, the weather finally has cooled off a bit (except it's supposed to be in the 80s this week again), so we decided we'd give it a go! We've had our eye on Red River Gorge for a long time and have heard nothing but good things about it, so that's where we went! It was so nice to get away from the "world". I neither applied nor packed any makeup and I had my phone off the whole time. Woot!

We were planning on going the weekend before, but it was 90 degrees so that was not going to do. Then we had to end up pushing back a day last weekend because of the rain, but it ended up being perfect camping and hiking weather! High 60s/low 70s and chilly at night. We set out Friday morning around 10:30. The plan was to leave first thing, but you know how that goes. Camping is a lot of work! I felt like I'd been prepping for weeks but it still took hours the night before and morning of to get us out the door. Red River Gorge is in Kentucky in the Daniel Boone National Forest, about 2 hr. and 20 min. from our house. It had HUNDREDS of trails, official and unofficial and people come from all over to hike there.

We knew we wanted to camp, but camping is a little tricky there. Most people do "backcountry camping", where they just pull off and find a spot in the forest somewhere. You have to have a permit (which is like $3/night) and you can't be within 300 feet from the road or trail, but people do it all the time. I wasn't quite up for that, mostly because of three things - 1) hello bathrooms: so easy for boys, but a real pain for girls, 2) there are bears and I was scared enough in the campground! and 3) I was concerned about finding a good spot and a spot that would fit our giant tent. It seems like most people that do that are just a couple people and/or they know of a good place from someone else. But seriously, number 1. I hate peeing in the forest.

So...we settled on the one campground in the Gorge. It doesn't take reservations, so it was a gamble but it worked out! I called and they said if you get there early Friday you should be fine, but by Friday night in the fall they're usually full. Although the best were taken, there were still plenty of spots when we got there and we found one we liked and claimed it! The kids were so excited. We actually "splurged" and spent $4 extra to get a double site because it had forest all around for the kids to explore and was in a better spot.

I love that the whole campsite is cleared. It makes it so much drier and nicer! Especially when rolling up your tent.

So we got to work setting up camp! Everyone did a great job helping and we were done by about 3pm, when I forced everyone back in the car to go do a hike! I love hiking and wanted to make sure we did some good hikes. After some research and talking to a friend of mine, we settled on two - one 1.5 mile moderate hike (Rock Bridge Trail) through the forest to a waterfall and sandstone bridge, and a 4 mile hike up on a ridge with great views. They were AWESOME! We did the shorter one the first day. I knew it would be a rewarding one - not too long with lots of fun things to see, and it was. It took us deep down in the forest and through some really interesting geological features. The Gorge is full of natural sandstone arches and bridges, and they were really beautiful!

 We didn't do so great on the clarity of our photos, so I apologize, but take my word for it, it was beautiful...

 And somehow we ended up with WAY more pictures of me than Jeremy. I'm usually the camerawoman, but I was carrying Grace almost constantly for two days so Jeremy got the job and I got a lot of face time! Haha.

 We got back to camp a little after 5 and Jeremy got a fire going so we could roast our hot dogs! Dinner the first night was very simple - hot dogs, applesauce, chips, and some veggies. After that we of course roasted marshmallows and had some tasty s'mores. Then it was time for bed! It got really cold that night, so Grace ended up in our bed (actually both nights) which means I didn't sleep much, but I don't usually sleep much anyway so it wasn't too unusual. And the first night camping always takes some adjusting. The second night was much better for everyone.

 Also let it be noted that this was the first time successfully french-braiding Anna's hair! Woohoo! But she won't let me do it again because I was pulling on her hair...

The pack & play served the "play" purpose - she didn't sleep much in it but it was nice for her to have somewhere to play sometimes.

More to come later!