One Last Camping Trip Before Winter

The Bluffs at our Campsite

We went on our second and final camping trip of the year the weekend of October 16. I took the day off work so we could travel to western Kansas, where we have camped previously. This would be our third trip to Hipcamp C2T Ranch on the Saline River. We love it there, and this proved to be another great camping trip just north of Hays, Kansas.

We once again rented a U-Haul to pack our items so we could all go in one car. Erin, Greg, Carrie, and I left Friday morning around 8 a.m. and headed west. We made a few stops along the way, including our usual spot in Alma, Kansas, where we stopped to get some snacks, check out the cheese, and prepare for the rest of the trip.

Later, we made what is becoming our annual stop at Russell Stover in Abilene, Kansas. With snacks in hand, we were ready to finish the rest of the drive, which was another hour or so to where we would be eating.

Take on Chicken Pot Pie

We first went to The Handle Bar Tavern in Plainville, Kansas, last year when we went camping. We liked it so much that we decided it would be our first stop on our camping trip back to the area. The drinks did not disappoint, and the food was delicious once again. If you are in the area, I highly recommend stopping by The Handle Bar Tavern.

Following a late lunch, it was time to head to our campsite, which was another 15 to 30 minutes from where we had lunch. When we arrived, the camp host greeted us and took us down to our campsite. This being our third trip to the same site, we knew exactly where we were going, but the host was gracious and took us down anyway, making sure everything was to our liking.

Everything was perfect.

We unloaded everything from the car and U-Haul so we could start making camp. It did not take us long to get the tent set up and everything situated for the evening. It was a little windy to start, but as the sun went down, the wind stopped. It was a beautiful evening with no clouds, and we could see stars all the way down to the horizon.

Ready to Eat

At the site, we get unlimited firewood for $30 for the whole weekend. We also once again bought hamburgers from the camp host that come from cattle raised on the ranch. They are wonderful!

We cooked the hamburgers and enjoyed the evening talking, listening to music, and looking out over the landscape. What a great way to spend an evening.

Saturday morning, we all slept later than we normally do when camping. I think we started getting up around 9:30 or 10. We did not have much planned for our only full day at the campsite. Again, the wind was blowing pretty good throughout the day, but it was not too bad.

Erin and Carrie Gathering Firewood

We cooked hot dogs over the fire, and then Greg and I listened to the KU and Washburn games throughout the day. I believe the KU game started at 11, so once it finished, we switched over to listen to the Washburn game. Both teams ended up losing, but we had fun listening old-school style on the radio.

Getting Chili Ready to Cook

Saturday evening would be chili that Greg cooked for us. We started preparing everything while there was still some daylight. While the chili cooked, we went on a short hike to check out some of the other campsites. We did a little photo shoot of us walking that turned out great.

Selfie on Hike

Silhouettes of Us on the Trail

Following our short hike, we got back to camp and tended to the chili as it finished cooking over the fire. Once it was ready, we all grabbed our bowls and ladled out some chili. It was so good that I had two full bowls. I was very full, but it was so worth it.

Warm Fire and Evening

We huddled around the fire after dinner and listened to the playlist we had all built. We started with two songs each from five friends, and then added songs from two bands recommended by co-workers, with us picking which songs from those bands to include. I think we came up with a pretty good playlist.

Listen to our camping playlist on Apple Music

I ended up falling asleep while we were sitting around the fire. I had started drinking some beers earlier while listening to the football games, so everyone else had fun making fun of me for falling asleep. I was warm and cozy, listening to the playlist, so sleep came easily.

Sunday morning, we all slept later again than we normally do when camping. None of us was feeling particularly motivated to start packing up and heading home. Eventually, we got everything packed back into the U-Haul and loaded into the car.

We left our campsite around 11 a.m. and headed into Hays, Kansas, where we wanted to find a place for lunch.

We ended up finding a spot called Las Hefas Latin Cuisine that showed up in a search. It was so good that we want to go back to Hays just to eat there again. The owner/operator was our waiter, and it was interesting talking with him. He grew up in Hays, went to Fort Hays for college, and eventually opened the restaurant.

He told us that locals do not really come to his restaurant and that people passing through Hays make up more of his regular crowd. The locals do not know what they are missing.

Fantastic meal, and we will definitely be back.

Carrie Photo of our Campsite

Overall, we had a great camping trip. It is always fun to be outside, enjoy nature, sit around a fire, and get away for a few days. I am sad that we were only able to go camping twice this year. Next year, I want to go four, five, or maybe even more times.

Until next time, have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week.

Five Things I'm Looking Forward to This Fall

It is Saturday morning, and I am thinking through what to post for this week. I am struggling a bit, so I am going to keep this one relatively simple and write about five things I am looking forward to this fall. It is a simple post, but I think it can be a good opportunity to reflect on what is ahead as we move toward the end of 2026.

Summer is about to end. We are nearing the final weeks of the season. Friday brought beautiful weather to Topeka. Carrie and I sat outside for a few hours Friday evening, enjoying the nice breeze and cool temperatures. It felt odd to be sitting outside comfortably on the last day of July. I mentioned how, in past years, our lawn would be burned up by July 31. We had plenty of rain before the summer heat arrived, and over the past couple of weeks, we have had several good rainstorms. As a result, the lawns still look lush and green without having to water them.

It is always a little sad when the summer months come to an end. At the same time, I am looking forward to being able to spend time outside without burning up in the heat. Friday gave us a nice preview of what we will experience over the next few months. We have a lot of limbs that have come down from various storms, so we plan to have our fire pit going most weekends. I look forward to hanging out with Carrie and spending time in our backyard. Yes, it still feels odd to be outdoors and not have our little Oliver running around, keeping watch on the neighbors and other dogs.

The fall semester is fast approaching. We are just a few weeks away from classes starting at Washburn University. It has been a busy summer preparing the campus, and a variety of projects have been priorities throughout the break. It will be good to have the campus bustling with students again. I say it every year, but it seriously feels as though the semester just ended. It feels like only yesterday that the 2025-2026 academic year was beginning. Now here we are, and a new year is about to start. I look forward to a packed campus and the challenge of finding parking spots with all the faculty, staff, and students back on campus.

Football season is just a few weeks away as well. Washburn plays its first game on August 29, and it will be an away game. Our first home game is September 5. Again, it seems like only yesterday that we were heading to Washburn football games and tailgating in our spot. We will be out there again this year. I renewed our season tickets, even though we rarely go inside the stadium, and we kept our tailgate spot.

Chiefs season starts up soon, too, with preseason beginning on August 15. I already have one of my fantasy football draft dates set, and I am working with the other league I am in to get that draft scheduled as well. I look forward to a fresh season for both my Ichabods and the Chiefs. Both teams struggled last season. I am excited to follow them throughout the year and hope they can get off to strong starts in their opening games.

We have only been camping once this year. Sad! We went back in May, and that has been our only trip so far. Traveling and then losing Oliver changed our plans to camp more often this summer. Instead, we are left planning a few camping trips to finish out the year. We already have one planned for October, and we may be able to fit in one more before the season ends. It is disappointing that we have only managed one trip so far, but hopefully we can squeeze in at least two more before the weather turns cold.

My running routine is going well. I was able to run three times last week. I have extended my running intervals and can now run a half mile before walking. I am gradually building up my stamina so I can eventually run the entire distance without walking. Right now, that is not happening, but I am making progress. This past week, I took a short break because I had a medical appointment on Thursday. That interrupted my normal running schedule, which usually includes runs on Tuesday and Thursday. I will be back at it Sunday morning.

That is all for today. I hope you have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week.

A Simple Camping Weekend with Great Food and Better Weather

Tents Up and Ready

The 2026 camping season has officially started for us with our first trip over Memorial Day weekend. It was some of the best camping weather we have ever seen. It did rain for about an hour on us the first night, but overall it was wonderful. Cool during the day and dipping down to chilly in the evening, but with a fire going, it was perfect.

We went back to our regular spot in Council Grove, where we have camped a number of times. We love the location, and this was probably our sixth trip there. I have truthfully lost count, but it was another great weekend.

This trip was a little different for us. We went out Friday and came back on Monday. The only thing we cooked at the campsite was hot dogs, which we had for lunch one day. We decided to keep things simple and, since we were close to town, eat at local places instead. We went to the Mexican restaurant twice during the weekend since it was the only place open on Sunday. We also tried a brand new BBQ place that opened that Saturday, and it was delicious. A Chinese place was new to us as well, but they were closed for the holiday weekend.

We arrived at the campsite late Friday afternoon. After getting everything set up, we were ready to relax. Carrie and I bought a new tent that sleeps nine, and we can actually stand up inside it. It is also a fast-up tent, which is nice, but we had no idea how to set it up or take it down. Thankfully, Erin helped us since they have one that is similar.

Margarita's and Dinner

Friday night was our first visit to the Mexican restaurant, El Rancho Viejo, and it was excellent. The AC was not working very well that night, so it was a little warm, but the margaritas and food made up for it.

Cards Under the Canopy

We stayed up late that first night after returning to the campsite, keeping a fire going into the late hours. We listened to music, talked, and enjoyed a few drinks. It rained on us for about an hour, but we had a canopy set up and moved under it to play cards. It was actually pretty peaceful listening to the rain tapping on the canopy while we played. After the rain stopped, we moved back to the fire, which somehow kept going. A fun first night.

Sunset Over the Lake

On Saturday, we had some friends come out to visit us that evening. Laura and Jason stopped by in their new vehicle. We had a few drinks around the fire before the girls ran into town to pick up Pizza Hut for dinner. After we ate, we all went up to watch the sunset over the lake. Laura and Jason left shortly after, and we spent the rest of the night relaxing around the fire once again.

Cottonwood Falls

Sunday’s plan was to take a trip to see some waterfalls. We drove to Cottonwood Falls, about an hour away from our campsite. Erin and Greg had been there a few years earlier and thought we would enjoy it. It was another beautiful day, and we took a short hike to reach the falls. It was a popular spot with a lot of families, and a great way to spend the day. The area was beautiful, and the water was cold.

After our trip, we drove back to Council Grove and picked up BBQ from Jonny V’s, which had just opened that Saturday. We brought it back to the campsite, and it was really good. The beans were especially good.

Campsite with Lights

Sunday night, we went back to the Mexican restaurant, which was a nice way to wrap up the weekend. We all ordered something different from our first visit. The AC was working this time, which made it more comfortable. It was a fun way to finish out our meals for the trip and a nice break for Carrie, who usually does the cooking on our camping trips.

Of course, we had to make the most of our last night by staying up late around the fire. We had a lot of firewood to use up before we left, and we managed to go through all of it. Erin and Carrie had gathered wood from the woods earlier in the day, so it was fun putting that to use as well.

Selfie of Us Watching Sunset

This was a different type of camping trip for us, but we really enjoyed being close to town while still having that camping feel of staying up late and enjoying the clear night sky. We are already trying to figure out where our next trip will take us and how many we can fit in this summer. We know we will be camping in October, possibly around a Washburn football game, but nothing is scheduled yet.

Until next time, have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week ahead.

Looking Back on 2025: A Year of Growth, Adventure, and Connection

As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the moments—big and small—that shaped 2025. This year was a tapestry of personal milestones, professional growth, outdoor adventures, and cherished family traditions. Here’s a look back at the highlights that made this year unforgettable.

---

Health and Wellness: A Journey of Transformation

One of the most significant chapters of 2025 was my health journey. Since October 2024, I’ve lost about 45 pounds thanks to Mounjaro, and I’ve been able to eliminate CPAP use entirely. December brought a new focus: building an exercise routine. My goals for 2026 include adding cardio, weights, and even running—something I haven’t done in years. I’m curious to see how my body responds now and excited to take this next step toward a healthier lifestyle.

Family and Holidays: Traditions That Ground Us

November and December reminded me why Thanksgiving and Christmas are my favorite times of the year. From grilling turkey breasts on the Big Green Egg to savoring Mom Shirron’s sweet potato pie, these moments were filled with warmth and gratitude. We gathered in Topeka and Lawrence, shared laughter, and honored traditions—even as we felt the absence of loved ones who couldn’t be with us. Christmas Eve brought its own quiet magic, a time to pause and appreciate the blessings of family and home.

Outdoor Adventures: Nature’s Reset Button

Camping continued to be my sanctuary in 2025. From summer weekends that offered a break from routine to October’s grand finale at C2T Ranch, each trip was a reminder of the restorative power of nature. That last outing was unforgettable—winds gusting up to 50 mph, coyotes calling in the night, and cornhole tournaments under the open sky. These experiences weren’t just escapes; they were opportunities to reconnect with what matters most.

Music and Community: The Rhythm of Life

October also brought the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas—a two-day celebration of music, friendship, and Southern charm. Perfect weather, incredible performances (Anson Funderburgh was a standout), and shared laughter made it a highlight of the year. It was more than a festival; it was a reminder of how music brings people together.

Professional Growth: Learning and Leading

On the professional front, EDUCAUSE 2025 in Nashville was a standout experience. I dove into networking, led a Braindate on staff upskilling, and explored sessions that sparked new ideas. Vendor events, CIO dinners, and even app critiques rounded out a trip that blended learning with connection. These moments reinforced the importance of community and continuous growth in our field.

---

Themes That Defined 2025

• Health and Resilience: From weight loss to new fitness goals, this year was about reclaiming energy and well-being.
• Family and Tradition: Holidays reminded me of the joy found in simple moments and shared meals.
• Adventure and Renewal: Camping and music festivals offered space to recharge and celebrate life.
• Professional Engagement: Conferences and networking fueled ideas for the future.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As I turn the page to a new year, I’m carrying forward the lessons and joys of 2025. My focus will be on building a consistent fitness routine, deepening professional connections, and continuing to make time for the outdoors and family traditions. Here’s to a year of balance, growth, and meaningful experiences.

Thank you for following along on this journey. I’d love to hear from you—what were your highlights of 2025, and what goals are you setting for the year ahead?

Returning to C2T Ranch: A Perfect End to Camping Season

We went on our last camping trip of the season and returned to a place we had only visited once before but loved so much that we had to go again. We stayed at C2T Ranch on the Saline from October 17 to 19. This is a HipCamp site we first visited in 2022, and we were excited to go back. This spot never disappoints. It is on a working ranch where we saw and heard cattle roaming the land. At night, after going to bed, we heard coyotes in the distance. It was a fun spot, and we ate well too.

We decided to rent a U-Haul so we could all travel together in one vehicle, which worked out great. We went with Erin and Greg, who joined us on our first trip to C2T Ranch in 2022, so we all had good memories to revisit. We left early Friday morning and already had plans for lunch in Plainville, Kansas, where we ate at The Handle Bar Tavern and Eatery. It is an excellent spot north of Hays, Kansas, where we enjoyed drinks and delicious food. The Handle Bar Tavern and Eatery has a large menu, and everything the four of us ordered was excellent. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in western Kansas.

Check-in for our HipCamp was at 2 pm, and we arrived right on time. It looked just the way we remembered from our first visit. We set up quickly and were ready for the evening with fresh hamburger meat delivered by the HipCamp host. We did this the first year and remembered how good the burgers were on the open range. Along with the meat, we ordered potatoes to cook over the campfire.

Since we had an early start Friday morning, we did not stay up very late that night. I think we were all in our tents by 1 am. It was getting rather cold, so we were ready to call it a day. It was a fun first day of travel, camping, and relaxing.

Saturday morning we all got up somewhat early to make pancakes. Waking to the sound of cattle far off in the distance was something I had never experienced before. We all talked about how, during our previous visit, we did not recall hearing any cows. We guessed they were in a different pasture in 2022, which is why we did not hear them then. This time they were loud throughout the night and most of Saturday. Mid-afternoon the winds started, just as we expected, and that helped drown out the cows, but then we had to deal with gusts up to 40 to 50 mph. Chairs were flying around, items blew off tables, tents came unlatched, and even a few tumbleweeds rolled through our campsite.

We managed to play some cornhole Saturday afternoon before the winds really picked up. We had a few tournaments, but as the wind strengthened, we realized the game had to end because the bags were turning in the air and landing in random directions. It was still a fun afternoon as we listened to the sounds of the ranch, played music, and enjoyed games.

Saturday night we planned to cook pork tenderloin for dinner over the campfire. Greg took the lead in preparing the pork, and we got the fire ready for cooking. The pork turned out juicy and flavorful, and everyone enjoyed it. Erin and Carrie made instant mashed potatoes that paired perfectly with the pork.

After dinner and cleanup, we sat around the campfire enjoying the warmth. Having an unlimited supply of firewood is a real treat at this HipCamp because it allows us to keep the fire going as long as we want without worrying about finding more wood.

When Sunday morning rolled around, we were all sad to pack up and head home. As we packed, we talked about how we need to do the Hays, Kansas trip again and stay for more nights. We will see when we can fit that into our camping schedule since this year was busy with multiple trips. We enjoy camping so much, and I look forward to doing it again next year.

Until next time, have a great rest of your Sunday and a wonderful week.

Books, Bikes, and Baseball: A Sunday State of Mind

Oliver Sleeping

This Sunday morning, I’m struggling a bit with what to write about. I feel like a blank slate that I can’t quite start filling in—so I’m jumping in and writing anyway, hoping it sparks some ideas. I’ve got golf on the TV and baseball coming up later today. There are a few chores I need to tackle around the house, and I should probably think through some work-related things, but overall, it’s a pretty relaxed Sunday.

With no set plan for this post, I’ll be jumping around a bit as different thoughts come to mind. Bear with me as I shift from topic to topic.

Reading Goals and Audio Book Struggles

My reading has been steady, but I’m not quite meeting the goals I set for the year. I’ve only finished one book in the past two months. I recently started a new book and also began an audio book that sounded interesting.

When it comes to audio books, I’ve realized that unless I’m in the car and fully focused, I don’t retain much. If the TV is on or I’m following sports, my attention drifts. It’s clear that multitasking doesn’t work for me when listening to audio books—I need to be fully engaged. Right now, I’m about three books behind where I should be.

Bike Riding: Out of the Habit

I’ve definitely slacked on my bike riding. Between camping, travel, and just falling out of the routine, I haven’t been on the bike since June 6, 2025. Wow. I keep telling myself I’ll get back to it, but it hasn’t happened yet. I’ve got a conference coming up in early August, and I’m planning to restart my riding routine once I’m back. It’s amazing how easy it is to fall out of a habit—and how hard it is to get back into it.

Camping Adventures Continue

I’ve shared quite a few posts about our camping adventures this year—and for good reason. We’ve done a lot of it, and we already have another trip scheduled for the end of October. It’s been great to get out so often. Carrie summed it up perfectly: last year was our year of concerts, and this year is the year of camping. All of our trips have been in Kansas, and our final one will be as well. I’m really looking forward to it.

Family Time in Lawrence

Group Photo of Cousins

Carrie and I met up with my family on Thursday for a cousins’ dinner in Lawrence. We gathered at the Lawrence Country Club for drinks and dinner. It was a fun night. Some cousins couldn’t make it, but Mom, Dina, and Aunt Barb joined us, which was a treat. We usually meet in Kansas City, so it was nice to have a get-together closer to home.

Birthday Dinner at Fire Keepers

Birthday Celebration Wine Toast

Friday night, we celebrated my birthday at Fire Keepers Golf Course with dinner at Three Fires Steakhouse. It was our second time dining there, and it lived up to our memories—excellent food and great service. Big thanks to Joan and Eddie for the birthday dinner! Erin, Carrie, Greg, and I keep talking about making a trip to Fire Keepers to stay overnight and do some gaming. We haven’t made it happen yet, but we brought it up again while walking through the casino.

Sports Season Shifts

As July winds down, baseball is still front and center—especially with the Royals managing to stay somewhat in the hunt. But football is on the horizon. Fantasy football leagues are forming, and draft dates are being set. It should be a fun season all around:

• KU football kicks off in a newly renovated stadium.
• Washburn has a new coach and fresh energy on campus.
• And of course, the Chiefs are gearing up for another exciting run.

Let’s go!

Wrapping Up

That’s enough rambling for this Sunday. We’ve moved into the afternoon, and baseball is about to begin. The Royals are just about an hour away from first pitch.

Have a great rest of your Sunday—and a fantastic week ahead!

Our First RV Camping Adventure

Driving Down the Highway with an RV

We were finally able to use our new hitch and brake controller this past week with our first RV rental. After doing some research, we decided to use Outdoorsy for the rental. Everything came together quickly—less than a week before our scheduled trip. The brake controller was installed the Thursday before we left, and with that, we were all set and excited to hit the road

After checking out a few different sites, we landed on Outdoorsy. The process was straightforward, and after browsing several RVs, we chose one located in Gardner, KS. We mapped out our route—about an hour from Topeka to Gardner—and booked our campsite at Melvern Lake, on the outlet side of the dam operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A few weeks earlier, we had driven through the area to pick out our spot.

Hello Camper!

Once we booked through Outdoorsy, the hosts provided all the information we needed to prepare. They were quick to respond to messages, and I kept them updated on the brake controller installation. Overall, the process was very smooth. When we arrived in Gardner to pick up the RV, the hosts walked us through everything and had us review and sign a few forms before we were ready to depart.

Carrie Greeting you from our RV

It had been years since I last drove with a trailer, but it came back quickly as we pulled out of the hosts’ driveway. Driving went smoothly, though I had forgotten how much you feel the trailer’s push, pull, and jarring motion. After about an hour, we arrived at Melvern Lake. Backing the RV into our spot went well, and we got to work setting up camp.

Sleepy Boy in Wagon

Setup was quick—much easier than tent camping. We simply moved our gear from the back of our Pilot into the RV. We put Oliver inside while we got everything arranged.

For dinner that first night, Carrie made Chicken Divan, which we heated up and enjoyed. It was delicious and made for a relaxing evening. We spent time by the water with a fire going and were in the RV by midnight. A successful first night—we were thrilled to be camping in a new way.

I woke up around 7 the next morning and took Oliver for a walk around the lake. It was beautiful. Oliver had a great time sniffing everything and “protecting” me from other camping dogs. After our walk, I spent some time finishing a blog post I hadn’t completed before the trip. Sitting by the water with a cool breeze while writing was incredibly peaceful.

Carrie in the Water

Later, I did a little fishing—no luck—but then joined Carrie and Oliver to relax. We had decided the night before to visit the beach that afternoon. We packed up, locked the RV, and headed out. We did need to make a trip into town to pick up some ice and some other supplies such as a lighter that had stopped working the night before. Then we would head to the beach.

Beach Was All Ours

We ended up going to the beach both Monday and Tuesday. It was great both days. We stayed in the shade, got Oliver into the water to cool off, and set him up in his wagon with fans. After settling down from seeing other dogs and kids, he napped while we relaxed. Carrie and I both read a lot, and I finally finished a book I’d been working on for months.

I Caught a Fish

Back at camp, we spent more time by the water. I fished again and actually caught one fish—the only one of the trip! Carrie captured the moment for me. That evening, we kept it simple with cheese and crackers for dinner and watched The Accountant 2 in bed with Oliver sleeping between us. A perfect end to the day.

Tuesday morning, we slept in a bit but aimed to get to the beach earlier since it was going to be hotter. We arrived before noon, and at one point, I took Oliver to the car to cool him off with the AC. We stayed until mid-afternoon before heading back to camp.

Wet Oliver After Swimming

 

Reading While Oliver Sleeps

Happy Boy at the Beach

More Fishing

It started to hit us that our adventure was coming to an end. We were sad knowing we’d be returning the RV on Wednesday. The experience had been amazing—waking up to coffee brewed in the RV, cooling off in the AC, and enjoying the comforts of glamping. We loved it.

Oliver by the Fire

That night, we stayed up late with the fire going, talking about our next adventure—and maybe even buying an RV someday. We finally went to bed around 2 a.m., not wanting the day to end.

Checkout time was 4 p.m., and we needed to return the RV to Gardner by then. We had a lazy morning, I fished a bit (no bites), and we slowly packed up. By mid-afternoon, everything was loaded, and we started going through the RV return checklist. It took longer than expected, so we arrived after 5 p.m., but we kept the hosts updated.

Oliver Enjoying Camping Life

If you couldn’t tell, we absolutely loved our RV camping experience. We’re not giving up tent camping, but RVing is definitely something we want to do again—and maybe even own one someday. I highly recommend the experience, and Outdoorsy made it so easy. I’m hopeful our next rental will be just as smooth.

Until next time, have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week ahead!

🎆 July 4th Camping Weekend at Council Grove

Happy 4 of July!

We went camping once again this year for the July 4th holiday weekend. The weather was great, and we were at one of our favorite spots—Council Grove Lake. It’s a fun place where we’ve rented a boat in the past, but this year we weren’t able to get one since we booked the site too late. Still, the campsite was wonderful—tucked along the dam with plenty of space and areas for our dogs to roam.

Erin and Carrie headed out a few days early, and Greg and I joined them on Thursday night. I actually made a quick trip out on Tuesday night to drop off a carload of supplies before heading back to Topeka. Erin and Carrie had great weather for their first night, with the temperature dropping to a cool 61 degrees. Carrie told me she got a little chilly that evening.

It was nice pulling into our campsite Thursday night to find everything already set up. Erin and Carrie had decorated with American flags and lights, and the tents were ready to go. Greg and I unloaded a few things from the car, and we were all set for the night. We picked up Pizza Hut for dinner since the town is only about 5–10 minutes away—another reason we love this site.

 

 

 

  

🌊 July 4th by the Water

Oliver in his Wagon

There had been a lot of rain in the weeks leading up to our trip, so the lake was flooded in some areas, and the main beach was closed. We found a nice little spot with shade where we could get down to the water and spent the 4th of July there. Charley and Oliver loved splashing around and staying cool by our sides. We think the area used to be an old campsite, so wading out was a bit tricky with hidden stumps and debris. Still, we set up our chairs in the water, dipped our feet in, and had a great day.

Steak and Potatoes for Dinner

After a relaxing day by the water, we returned to camp for our July 4th dinner: steaks, mashed potatoes, and green beans. So good! We stayed up late by the campfire, listening to music, enjoying drinks, and soaking in the night. Our friends Taylor and Rachael stopped by for a visit, which was a nice surprise.

🎇 Fireworks & Furry Friends

We were a bit caught off guard by how loud the fireworks were at our site. Fireworks aren’t allowed in the campground, but we were just on the edge of town, and there were plenty of booms and flashes. Oliver wasn’t happy about it, so I took him to the car, turned on the AC and the Royals game to help drown out the noise. That helped, and thankfully the fireworks ended by 10:30, so we could enjoy the rest of the evening.

☕ Saturday in Town

At the Brewery

On Saturday, we spent some time in Council Grove. We visited a great coffee shop that Erin and Carrie had been going to daily. Later, we hung out at Riverbank Brewing, which has been open for three years now. The beer and other drinks were great. We set up on the patio with both dogs, fans running at full blast, and had a relaxing afternoon.

🍗 Guests & Goodbyes

That evening, we had two more guests—Joan and Eddie—who came to see our campsite and brought Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner. It was so thoughtful of them, and we had a lovely evening. After they left, we gathered around the campfire for our final night and enjoyed each other’s company.

🚗 Heading Home

Packed Car with Stuff on Top Too

Sunday, we packed up and headed back to Topeka. Our car had been acting up since July 4th, struggling to start. Thankfully, it kept working, but I wasn’t sure how long it would last. Turns out it was a bad battery cell, which I got replaced after taking it to the shop on Tuesday. All fixed now and ready for more adventures!

🌦️ A Rainy Lesson

Overall, we had a fantastic time. The rain held off, the weather was nice (even if a bit hot during the day), and we were able to bring both dogs. Oh! I almost forgot—Carrie and I got caught in a rainstorm early Friday morning without the rainfly on our tent. We had to scramble at 5:30 a.m. to get it on. Lesson learned! Everything got damp, but we aired it out and it dried nicely throughout the day.

Until next time—have a great week and happy camping! 🏕️