The Annual Camping Video...

So, if you've known me for a while, you know that every year my friends and I go on a girls-only camping trip. Normally every year, I make a video to document the adventure, and try to add fun new things or jokes. Well, this fall was no different. We scheduled our camping trip, hiked throughout the woods, and recorded some footage for the annual video. 

The day after we got back from camping, my phone sadly had no service. As in, no data service and no calling service. Pretty much, it was a paperweight. So, off to the apple store Nathan and I went. After waiting an hour and a half for our appointment, 45 minutes to back my phone up to the iCloud, then another 15 minutes to reinstall my settings, we discovered that my videos from camping were MIA. So, to all of my fans out there... well you know, there's no video.

ANYWAY, so I decided instead that I would have a recap blog entry of all of our camping trips.

YEAR 1 - "Camping Camping Camping Camping Camping Camping Camping..."

Highlights:

• Rock Island State Park
• This trip pretty much solidified our friendship of four
• We sang around the campfire to the sound of a guitar (which we were thoughtful enough to bring)
• We practiced Katie's lines for an upcoming play using hilarious voices
• A toddler took a liking to us and hung out with us for over an hour
• We learned the importance of tent neighbors
• We stayed for 3 days and 2 nights

What we learned:

• Get to your campsite before dark to avoid car-sickness and setting up camp at 9 pm
• Do not rely on the nearby woods to give you the wood for your fire
• Make sure your tent has a cover and also no holes
• Make sure your sleeping bags are not only warm, but also waterproof
• Book early if you want to camp at a popular campground

Year 1 Video

YEAR 2 - "Camping with a Gluten Allergy"

Highlights:

• Fall Creek Falls State Park
• It never rained the whole time we were there!
• Katie was not able to come this year :(
• We extensively explored Fall Creek Falls
• 
  
• Whitney's wedding pictures came in while we were there....
• We stayed for 4 days and 3 nights

What we learned:

• Its not a good idea to walk through running water, even if its only 6 inches deep
• Its pretty darn hard to go camping with no gluten
• Do not leave your food outside, even if its secured inside a cooler. Those raccoons are pretty sneaky.

Year 2 Video

YEAR 3 - "Don't go Chasin' Waterfalls"

Highlights:

• Fall Creek Falls State Park
• Whitney was not able to come this year
• We stayed for 4 days and 3 nights
• Our video clips were probably the funniest this year
• We swam in the pool 

What we learned:

• We wised up and brought a canopy tent to help with cover when we realized it was probably going to rain pretty heavy part of the time. This kept us dry and kept us shaded as well.
• We brought a griddle to help with the cooking. This was a good choice.
• 4 days is a little bit too long, even for good friends

Year 3 Video

YEAR 4 - "Breathe in the Fresh Mountain Air"

Highlights:

• Fall Creek Falls State Park
• We ALL were able to come this year! This was the first time since the 1st year!
• We stayed for 3 days and 2 nights
• It rained some, but we stayed completely dry the whole time!
• We played catch phrase and didn't kill each other with competitiveness.
• Pretty much, we're master campers now

What we learned:

• Its best to bring a fire starter that you are comfortable with using and have practiced with before. This was the first year we made fire fairly quickly and successfully.

Year 4 Video might come to fruition as a Year 4 Slideshow. Better than nothing, I suppose....