Our Fourth of July Camping Trip

My parents have moved ten hours away and we decided to meet half way between our houses for the Fourth of July to go camping. We prayed it would be good weather, the site looked great online. There was a lake to go swimming in, a playground to play on, fishing to experience and smore's to be made and enjoyed. So we packed up the car and headed towards Memphis to Village Creek State Park.

Its about a 5 hour drive and we have never taken the boys on such a long car ride. They did awesome!! We left right at Garrett's nap time so he slept part of the way, but there was always a movie to watch as back up. Brady loved looking at maps to see how far we had come and how far we had to go. Once we got there my parents had arrived about 15 mins. earlier and we were happy to see them. We found our spot and unloaded the gear to set up camp.
We had a great night until the mosquitoes came to eat away at us!!! I got more than 30 bites on my body. I have never had so many bites. We lit candles and sprayed ourselves, but until we got the fogger out we had them all over us. The fogger did the trick. Next time it goes with me everywhere.

So the next morning we decided to take the boys fishing and forget our woes. My dad showed him how to do it and I was a little worried that he might not get a fish. Brady's hopes were so high, and I know fishing can be a long slow process.

Brady did not want to touch the worms! Male bonding at its best! Success!!! They caught a little fish and were so excited about it! He threw it back into the lake and then did it again, and caught another one. Mom had little faith and was taught to have more in her son's good attitude, and Grandpa's wisdom on the know how of fishing.

We had to head into town to get a few supplies and found a yard sale along the way, my dad wanted to stop and look so we pulled over. He hopped out while the rest of us stayed in the cool car to chat. There was another mini van right in front of us that had also stopped to see what she could find at the sale. All of the sudden I look up and hear this awful CRASH! She had pulled right out into the lane trying to get around us and a car came up right to the side of our van and they hit head on! The guy must have been speeding because he hit her and spun the car 180 degrees. Both of their air bags deployed and the man's truck was smoking. My dad was walking back to our van and witnessed the whole thing, while Brad looked up and saw it as well. Brad jumped out to check the guy, my dad went to the lady. The lady was awake but clearly shaking, while the man some how got a cut on his ankle. The people who were holding the yard sale called 911. Then the action really started when the man's truck caught on fire. My dad moved the woman away from the truck and we all started seeing a lot of gas flowing from his truck. Brad jumped into our van which was right by the accident and moved it away. My dad being crazy/hero jumped into the the woman's van to move it so it wouldn't catch fire. Everyone is running away from it and we are all yelling at him to get away but he had no fear and moved quickly.

Every action movie flashed through my head and I just was waiting for the car to explode. Lucky for us it did not. The man at this point was bleeding pretty good, so I got him to sit down and got out my first aid kit. We got some water and took off his shoe and washed his foot off and I applied a bandage to his cut. The police showed up right then and he said the paramedics would take a look at it as well. We all ended up having to give statements to what we saw and my dad redrew the scene since we moved the cars from its original state. We are are so greatful that we did not get hit, or hurt!!

After we got back to our tents we went swimming and had a great time the rest of the trip with less excitement. Garrett decided to show his true Arkansas colors while eating some watermelon. Pants half way down showing off his belly, just made me laugh.

We are so glad that we got to have a Happy Fourth of July together!