Summer Adventures in Vermont: Camping

This past weekend, Paul and I decided to take advantage of his free campground pass (from his internship in the Vermont State Parks) and go camping! Truth be told, I have only been camping once before. I believe it was in the 3rd grade with my family. But I remember really enjoying it and I was excited to try camping here in Vermont.
We visited Silver Lake in Barnard Vermont, which is close to Woodstock. At the park, there was also a beach, playground, and concessions stand. We lucked out with the weather and had a beautiful weekend of camping. Though Paul and I had never set up tents in the past, we decided it would be easy and didn't read the instructions. We managed to get the tent up, but had one pole left that we could not figure out where it went. Reluctantly, we looked at the instructions and found it went in the rain guard on the top of the tent. After that, we unrolled the sleeping bags and called it home sweet home.

The Tent! (and the gigantic trees!)

Paul taking photos around the campsite

Once the set up was finished, we headed to the beach so Paul could take more photos and so that we could swim in the water and enjoy the weather. After setting up our beach chairs and lounging for a bit, we headed to the dock to take the plunge. Kids were swimming and jumping in, but I wasn't convinced that it was going to be pleasant. To quote a girl there "It's 5 billion degrees in the water!". So Paul and I jumped in, only to find that it was 5 billion degrees...below zero. It quickly woke us up, but that was enough swimming for me.

Paul and I after jumping in

 

Paul with all his photography and beach gear

We then cleaned up and went to Simon Pearce restaurant, which was amazing and absolutely beautiful! And while walking back to the car after a filling meal, we stumbled upon two hot air balloons about to take off! So naturally we stuck around to watch.

What we first saw, I wasn't sure if they were just landing or taking off

The crew, and check out that fire!

The takeoff!

I had never been so close to hot air balloons before, it was crazy! After watching them sail away, we went to the camp site to forrage for wood and build a fire.

Paul chopping the wood with an ax

Enjoying the fire

A great end to a wonderful day

 I loved camping, and if you get the chance to go out on your own to explore Vermont or with the Wilderness Program here at St. Mikes, I highly suggest taking that opportunity. How many more will you get to try something totally cool in Vermont?