Garner State Park

I have been going to Garner State Park since I was 7 years old. My family has been going for over 50 years! We almost always go over the 4th of July. It is basically a camping version of Dirty Dancing. We stay in cabins and hike, bike, swim in the river, tube, rope swing, play putt putt and hang out in the river all day. Every night there is a dance at the Pavilion which is a haven for teens! (Those were the good ol' days! ;) The kids absolutely love going there. We got back last night and Chase said today that McKinney wasn't as fun and he wanted to go back to Garner.

I did deal with my first "letting go" moment as a mom. I have younger cousins that are all around 11-15 yrs old. (mostly boys) and they were all going bike riding and Gabe came up to me and asked if he could go with them. My first thought was HELL NO! I cant see you at all times...I just said, go ask your dad and he assured me that this was a little independence for Gabe to let him go with the older kids on a bike ride. I admit I was a little apprehensive and eyes a little watery, but I knew he would be fine...he's growing up and that scares me to death! Now I just have to prepare myself for August 25th...first day of Kindergarten!

Nice pic of Shane WORKING on vacation! You can run...but you can't hide!