Nelson Family Blog: Lewis and Clark Camping

June is in full swing, and it has been hot and dry. We've had about two weeks of 90 degree weather with very little rain. We have been keeping busy with softball a couple nights a week and hanging out with friends/family.

Emma is still enjoying softball. Some days she doesn't want to go, but once she goes she has a blast. She can field and throw pretty well, and her hitting continues to improve. It is really fun to watch her. Grandpa Jim has been asked to be a first base coach for her games, and he is really enjoying that.

Softball continue to go well for John and I as well. My women's league is having a decent year and has a winning record at the moment. Our church league is okay this year, we are probably sitting at about .500. But both teams are fun to play on and we are enjoying being on softball teams again this summer.

Two weekends ago, we had a get-together at Johnny and Kristina's house. Johnny grilled for us, and we enjoyed hanging out and visiting with Erica, Bert, Marie and Todd. It was a really nice evening. The kids also all played well together, and Emma even had a sleepover at Abby's house. She was super excited about it. Then on Sunday, Todd made ribs for us when we went to pick up Emma. It was a great weekend!

This past weekend, we camped in Yankton. We splurged this year and got some prime spots and had a really good time. The kids and Jim and Barb went up Thursday morning, John went Thursday evening, and I went Friday evening. We were a little worried it was going to be a really hot weekend, but we ended up getting really nice weather. Friday evening was a very tolerable 82 degrees and a beautiful evening. We went on a nice bike ride, had a fire, and just enjoyed the beautiful scenery.

Saturday was a nice, busy day. Once again, it was a calm, mid-80s day, and it was beautiful. In the morning, we brought the kids to an organized program that the park was putting on. It was a sports themed activity, where the kids could play like 15 different games. We did some pickle ball, basketball, soccer, bocce ball, frisbee golf, boomerang, crochet, frisbee, horseshoes, and badminton. The kids really enjoyed it, and they got some free T-shirts at the end. After an hour or so of the sports, we headed to the visitor's center to look around and explore. Once again the kids had fun and it was a great way to spend some time.

After that, we headed back to the campsite for lunch. We made a breakfast scramble, and then took the kids to an Eagle scavenger hunt that ended with a telescope where we could look at the baby Eagle. The kids really enjoyed this, and then we went back to the ampitheatre to make a craft. After all that, we headed back to the camper and Emma went swimming while Elliott and I played frisbee and darts. We made some pizzas for supper and then went on a Gavin's Point hike. This was another organized event, and we were the only ones who attended. It was a really fun hike, and we even got to do some exercises along the way. We had a great camping day. We ended with a fire and some smores, and then let the kids relax with a movie and called it a night.

Sunday was a little warmer and windier, but still a nice day. In the morning, the kids and I took a bike ride. We ate brunch in the late morning, and then the kids wanted to do some swimming. Jeff and Sam came to visit in the afternoon and we spent some time visiting and playing some bean bags. We ate an early supper of Philly Cheese Steaks and then everyone headed home. I stayed at the campsite for one extra night since I happened to have today off. It was kind of weird to spend the night in the camper by myself, but it was kind of fun as well.

I went for a 6 mile bike ride in the evening by myself, and it was really relaxing, and hot and sweaty. It was fun to just be able to worry about myself. After the bike ride, I read my book for a while and just relaxed. After doing some cleaning, I relaxed with a downloaded movie on my phone and then called it a night. Today, I slept in, went for a long walk along the lake, and then packed up and headed home.

Now, I am just catching up at home with some laundry, cleaning, and getting ready for softball tonight. It's been a great catch up day. Tomorrow is Emma's 9th Birthday (what!?). So, she gets to pick where to eat tomorrow evening and we have a couple surprises for her. She already got her hoverboard from us for her birthday, but I do have a couple smaller things for her to open tonight. Both kids have swimming lessons this week, as well as regular swimming days and field trips. We are looking at another crazy week ahead.

Next weekend, we are camping in Yankton again, in our same spots. We have plans to go cart, Dairy dock, go to the new Yankton pool, and to go tubing/boating. Plus, Emma is bringing Hannah T along for her birthday next weekend, so it's going to be a busy, crazy weekend!!