HAPPY CAMPERS

We did it. Another successful camping trip over Memorial Day weekend. Of course, it was not without its fair share of mishaps and rough patches. But overall, it was an amazing experience. Five days. Five days up north with friends and adventures and ourselves. Things are beginning to simplify each year. And we're pretty certain that we may never visit the same spot twice; there is just too much of this great state to explore. Besides, each new location gives us unique memories that will forever be tied to that spot.

FRIDAY

9am start - general plan in place but uncertainty due to forest closures

hit Payson at 11am and make pitstop at Walmart (as usual)

run into very good friends/old neighbors (the Merkleys) at Walmart

receive an invitation to camp on their property in Happy Jack

biggest internal debate of my life (okay, maybe that's an exaggeration...)

ultimately decide to camp on the Merkley property in Happy Jack

arrive just after noon and catch up for a while
get camp set up around 4pm - play in the forest

enjoy hamburgers for dinner, cookies s'mores for dessert

chill 

SATURDAY

wake up and eat breakfast

play on the amazing playground

take turns riding on the zip line

eat lunch and then head out to visit friends down in Pine

race scooters down the driveway

go into town for ice cream treat

dump a bucket of water on unsuspecting children

return "home" to our campsite

eat taco salad for dinner, pudding and oreos for dessert

chill (with glow sticks)

SUNDAY

wake up and eat breakfast

go on a hike in the forest near the Merkley property

play games and make crafts with friends

lounge in hammocks

watch 'Oklahoma' in the cabin

enjoy dinner with the Merkley family,

have s'mores for dessert at our campsite

 chill (with more glow sticks)

MONDAY

wake up and enjoy pancake breakfast with the Merkley family

play games and lounge in the hammocks 

play games while lounging in the hammocks

part with some of the Merkley friends

drive out to Tonto Natural Bridge

enjoy Tonto Natural Bridge for under an hour before shot

return "home" to our campsite

visit with the Merkley and enjoy otter pops

roast hotdogs for dinner, pudding and oreos for dessert

chill (with even more glow sticks)  

TUESDAY

wake up and eat breakfast

take down camp

play a few rounds of uno while taking down camp

home by noon