Camping Through the Storm: Our Memorial Day Weekend at the Lake

Campsite at Eisenhower State Park

We went out for our second camping trip of the year from May 22 to May 26 (scheduled). Unfortunately, heavy rain on Sunday cut our trip short, and we returned that evening instead of Monday. Still, we had a great time during the days we were there. This is the story of our trip to one of my favorite locations—Eisenhower State Park at Melvern Lake.

Thursday, May 22

I was at a conference in Pittsburg, KS, from Tuesday through Thursday, so we planned to start our camping trip Thursday night after I returned. We loaded up the car and arrived at our campsite around 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. Erin and Carrie joined us but had to work the next day, so they helped set up the tents and even got the fire started before heading back to Topeka. Greg and I stayed behind to enjoy the evening by the fire.

Carrie and I had picked up Hog Wild BBQ in Topeka before heading out, so we had that for dinner. Erin and Carrie ate with us before leaving. Greg and I spent the night around the campfire, and it turned out to be the best night of the weekend. The sky was clear, and we could see stars all the way down to the horizon. We stayed up late talking, listening to music, and soaking in the camping life.

Friday, May 23

Walking Along the Bank

Friday morning started off well. Although I had the day off, I had a 9:30 a.m. work call I planned to join—only to find out it was canceled. Still, it made for a productive morning. I took a walk by the lake, and we spent the day relaxing at the campsite. The girls were planning to join us that evening after work, so Greg and I enjoyed a laid-back day.

We watched Washburn Tennis compete in the Final Four in Florida. They won 4–0, which made for an exciting morning. The afternoon was lazy—reading, checking emails, and listening to music. The Royals were scheduled to play that evening, likely around the time the ladies would arrive.

Oliver Relaxing

Carrie and Erin stopped in Lyndon to pick up Casey’s pizza on their way to the campsite. They arrived before 7:00 p.m., bringing the last of the camping supplies. It was an overcast night, but we had a great time around the fire, talking, listening to music, and enjoying each other’s company. Carrie brought Oliver, who loves camping too. Despite the forecast, we decided to brave the weather and bring our little guy along.

Saturday, May 24

Saturday was a day of relaxing, listening to music, and watching/listening the finals of Washburn Tennis and Royals baseball. We took a few walks around the site with Oliver, who loved it and did his best to protect us from other campers. We love our spot because it’s relatively secluded.

Carrie and Oliver by the Lake

Both Washburn Tennis and the Royals didn’t have the best day—Washburn lost 4–2 in the championship, and the Royals lost 5–4. Not the ideal sports afternoon. Later, we had visitors: Erin’s mom Mona and her friend Larry, along with Joan and Eddie, joined us for dinner.

Dinner was chicken fajitas—so good! As is often the case with camping, we forgot one important item: the propane connector for the Firedisc. Thankfully, we had our two-burner stove, which we thought we’d use the next morning and night, so we were able to cook the meal. It turned out to be a fun evening!

Our guests left just after sunset, and we gathered around the fire. Rain was in the forecast, and unfortunately, it arrived earlier than expected. We moved everything under the canopy and tried to enjoy the evening there. I ended up falling asleep in a chair holding Oliver. It was an earlier night than planned, with everyone heading to their tents.

Sunday, May 25

It started raining Saturday evening and didn’t stop until Sunday afternoon. Both couples were stuck in their tents through the night as the rain poured. Eventually, we got out when we received a text from Erin and Greg saying they were out for a drive. We joined them and took Oliver along to explore other lakes and campsites.

We decided this would be our last day camping, as more rain was forecast for Sunday night into Monday. After returning from our drive, we slowly began packing up. It was disappointing, but we all agreed it was the right decision. Thankfully, the rain stopped while we packed, which made things easier.

Once the cars were loaded, we headed back to Topeka, a bit down about ending early. We had planned to have pancakes for breakfast and steaks for dinner—neither of which happened. When Carrie, Oliver, and I got home, we unloaded the car into the garage and ended up napping through the afternoon and into the evening.

Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day)

Camp Fire and Laptop

Still feeling a bit sad about missing another day of camping, Carrie and I didn’t do much. We had planned to put away the gear we left in the garage, but that didn’t happen until Wednesday night.

Despite the early end, it was a great trip. As usual, we were tired from camping, so we spent the day relaxing. Oliver slept wherever he flopped down. He had a great time—he smiled the whole trip. Even during Saturday night’s thunderstorm, he didn’t seem scared, at least not that we could tell. He even tried to protect us from a dog across the way. I’m sure he was dreaming of his camping adventures while he rested.

We’re already thinking about our next trip. Until then, have a great rest of your weekend—and a great week ahead!

 

Thinking of Future Camping for 2024 and Thinking Back to Past Camping Trips to When We Started in 2021

Camping in 2021

Carrie and I have been camping one time so far this year (see Big Bend Post) and it was great. We are wanting to go camping so bad many more times while it is nice this spring, summer, and fall. Right now, we have one spot reserved for the summer, but we are keeping our eyes open for other dates we can camp. The places we camp over the next few months will probably be located in Kansas. Our trip to Big Bend was our first camping trip outside the state of Kansas. Yes, we want to do more camping trips outside Kansas, but I am not sure those will happen this year.

One spot I am hoping we are able to fit in this year is Wilson State Park. I hear only good things from those that have been to this location about how beautiful it is with amazing views. Wilson State Park has been on our list to visit for a few years, but it has not worked out for us to get out there to this point. I am hoping this will be the year that we are able to make it out to this beautiful spot in Kansas.

Thinking back to when we started camping back in May 2021. Little did I know that it would become a passion for both Carrie and me. We love the whole experience of camping so much and cannot wait until our next camping trip. As I review past trips, I wondered where we were at with our count of locations and camping trips.

We have been multiple times to Eisenhower State Park which we love. There is a good chance we will be back to Eisenhower State Park at some point this summer. We have a favorite spot there and really enjoy the trails and location. Other locations in Kansas that we have been included (links are to blog posts) Crawford State Park, Lake Milford near Junction City, HipCamp on the Saline River by Hays, KS, Council Grove, and finally Big Bend National Park in Texas.

A rough guess on number of times we have been camping would be ten times. Hoping to increase our camping number throughout the next few months. In 2022 and 2023, we had busy spring, summer, and fall seasons, so camping was difficult to work in during those years, but hoping get some more dates scheduled for this year.

Camping Trip in June 2021

Finding sites to camp near lakes is the best as it is so beautiful and brings back memories of being a kid hanging out at Lone Star Lake or Clinton Lake. Plus, Carrie and I are getting into trails, so we want to keep that trend going from our Big Bend trip. We are planning to do some trails in Kansas City, or even around Topeka, that look interesting. Just to keep what we started in Texas going and might even play a role in where we pick to do our camping trips for this year. Still, I am sure we will end up at some of our usual spots but also hoping to visit some new locations this year.

Until next time, have a great week. I hope you are able to find your next camping spot or do what makes you happy.

Massages for Us at Stillpoint Massage & Bodywork Studio… Highly Recommended!

Every year around Valentine’s Day I think it would be nice to get massages for Carrie and I. Usually though I think of it the day or two prior to Valentine’s Day. Not this year! This year I thought of it a whole week ahead of time which meant that I was able to get an appointment scheduled for both of us… albeit the day after Valentine’s Day, but it was so nice!

Carrie and I have had massages infrequently typically when we are on vacations at remote islands. Carrie had mentioned a few weeks ago she could use a massage, so that got the idea in my head to do so for Valentine’s Day. I started checking around for options in Topeka and checked Google recommendations. I checked with a few others to see if they had a place they used, but no one had one, so I looked further at reviews. 

I narrowed down the list to two or three that I wanted to check. I happened to be out in the area of one place after I got my haircut the week before, so I thought I would stop by to see the place and talk to them. However, I could not find it for the life of me. It was over off of 29th Street in the same shopping center as Dillon’s. So, I drove back home after not finding the place and looked them up on-line again where I was able to see where they were located through street view. I sent them an email to check on getting an appointment.

A day later and I had a response to call them as they do not have regular reception, so only available certain times for calls. Of course calling the week before Valentine’s Day and they were booked as I was hoping to get an appointment the Saturday before Valentine’s Day. They told me they could put us on a waiting list and call us if spots open up for us. A few days later and I got a call that a spot opened on February 15 where we could both have an appointment at the same time. 

What a great experience! I had selected Stillpoint Massage & Bodywork Studio located at 2709 W. 29th, Ste 204, Topeka, KS 66614. I booked an hour long massage for us both. When I had called and told the receptionist we rarely have massages, she recommended 60 minute massage as 30 minutes and just getting started, so I did 60 minute for us both.

Following the massage, we left and talked about when we might do our next massage saying it would be nice to do so twice a year. Well, we already have our next massage scheduled for the first part of April. We liked it so much, we booked at Stillpoint Massage & Bodywork Studio again. The experience was so relaxing. The massage on neck, shoulders, and arms were wonderful. 

We had selected the Swedish Massage was the one we selected which is the most common style of massage. When I had my last massage ten or so years ago, maybe longer, I am not sure what type of massage I had at that time, but this was certainly well worth the $70 for the massage. So much so we booked our next appointment shortly after we left.

One of my memorable massages was back in 2003 when we went to Costa Rica with our friend Javier. He took us all over his home country and at Arenal Volcano, we had an amazing experience where we were had massages, then covered in volcanic mud, wrapped, and then had got in the hot springs to have the hot water take away the volcanic mud. Certainly a memorable experience and one I would like to do again. But having a massage here is an experience I plan to keep on my todo list at least a few times a year.

I will post again following our next massage to say how it went. We are happy with Stillpoint Massage & Bodywork Studio and look forward to using them for years to come. If you try out Stillpoint Massage & Bodywork Studio, I would be interested to hear your experience. Or, if you have another place that you used, please share your recommendations.

Until next time, enjoy the week!

Our Second Trip to Eisenhower State Park Was So Fun… We Want to Do It Again and Soon!

We want to go camping again! We went on our recent camping trip to Melvern Lake in Lebo, KS. We were planning to take our little dog, Oliver, but as the days approached, he was not doing great, so we decided to leave him behind. In hindsight, it was best that we did as the first night was chilly and then our last night camping it poured down rain with a lot of lightening and thunder; Oliver would have freaked out and not had anywhere to go within the tent, so it is best he did not go.

We went out mid-afternoon on Thursday, October 21. Greg and Erin were meeting us after Erin finished with work, so Carrie and I got the tent set up, ready to make dinner, etc. and we were ready for the weekend. While we took some firewood as did Greg and Erin, we went through all of it the first night. 

Although it was chilly the first night, it was a perfect night. We used the Firedisc to cook supper where we made fried rice along with Bulgogi. It was our first attempt at doing fried rice let alone Bulgogi, but it was really good! We ate late and by headlamp and cell phones as the moon was not out yet when we were eating. 

The moon did come out after we finished eating and we were sitting around the fire pit. The moon had a ring around it that stuck around for a few hours while we sat and admired the moon. We tried to take pictures of the moon, but it did not give it justice to what we were seeing. It was a cold evening, so the fire felt really good. Great first night at our camp site!

The second day (Friday), we all slept late and so we ended up not evening doing breakfast. Joan and Eddie came out to join us for lunch and be around the fire pit. We did chili in the Firedisc which was our first time doing that with the Firedisc. Carrie had read some sites and blogs and it came out great! It was a fun afternoon/evening sitting around talking, eating, and chatting.

The third day (Saturday), we did cook breakfast and once again on the Firedisc. Potatoes, sausage, cheese, eggs, and wrapped up in a tortilla. Carrie said she would change some things on it, but I thought it was pretty dang good to start the day. We spent the day once again relaxing and playing some games. I could not have asked for a more comfortable day just chilling and not doing anything. 

Saturday night around 2 am, the storm that had been forecast hit our area. We had heavy rain, lightening, thunder, and strong winds. The storms woke me up as the tent was going back and forth. I could hear the rain pounding on the south side of the tent and a little water came in under the flap for the vent. We only had one hook come up down and it was on the south side near the vent, so a small table we had in the tent dumped contents. Overall, no major issues and then did great through the heavy storm. Another reason glad our dog, Oliver, was not with us as there would have been no where he could have gone to “get away” from the sounds.

Sunday morning was low key as we knew we had to head out. Had a light breakfast before we started picking up and getting ready to head out. 

We love this spot as it was our second visit to this same camp site (see Melvern Lake). We plan to go back and maybe check out some other areas of the State Park for camping… but why change from a place we love?

Below is Instagram post Carrie did from our camping weekend.

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A post shared by Carrie H. (@carrieloulou)

 

Have you camped at Eisenhower State Park? Where is your favorite location to campus at this State Park or any Kansas State Park? I would love to hear from you in the comments.

Happy Valentine’s Day on this Snowy and Cold February 14 — Here is How Carrie and I Spent our Saturday and Plan to Spend Valentine’s Day Today #ValentinesDay

 
Happy Valentine’s Day to my wife, Carrie, my whole family, and to you. I was trying to remember what we did a year ago for Valentine’s Day and I could not remember what we did or where we went. This year, with the snow falling and temperature being in single digits, not to mention that COVID and social distancing is still happening, Carrie and I will remain home. Carrie picked up crab legs for us to have today which we are both very excited to eat later today. 

Last night, we spent a cozy evening watching a movie in our living room. I brought home a projector from work so we could project on the wall, have a fire going, and hang out in a warmer room other than our breezy family room. It was a good way to start the Valentine’s Day celebration and I know Oliver loved our new location of hanging out too as we sat on the couch opposite the fireplace, and movie, he sat between us sleeping, dreaming, and enjoying the evening. For dinner, we had left over BBQ Carrie had picked up on her way home Friday after getting a haircut which made for a special evening of relaxation and being with my family.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable Valentine’s Day! I will be enjoying chocolate that Carrie got us for celebration and I hope you have something to enjoy on this day too.