Family Camping (and riding)

[Bucho]

A week ago, the wife and I realized we had no plans for Memorial Day weekend. Since we had a camping trip get cancelled due to rain a month ago, I suggested camping. My rough plans were for something like Greenridge type camping. More or less primitive, cheap, and w/ lots of space so we can have our dogs just running free.
My wife mentions this to her sister, and her sister's family would like to come along. However, she (sister) refuses to camp anywhere w/out a bathroom or showers. So the plan changes to going to going to a "family type" campground where we'll be 50 feet away from other groups camping and spend the day at the lake w/ about 1000 other people having their Memorial Day weekend.
I wasn't too thrilled about this, but my son really enjoys playing w/ his cousins so I agreed.
Since I get off work Friday morning, (and have the day more or less free), I was designated to head over to the campground early and save two campsites. The night before, my wife tells me that now I have to save 4 campsites b/c her sister has invited another family and that family has invited another family along. Now, I'm really not looking forward to go. I was also unsure how I was going to save 4 different campsites. I figured I could set my tent up on one, park my truck at the second, and sit in a lawn chair at the third one. So, I decided to bring along my DR650 and I could use it as a place holder at the 4th campsite.

Friday morning I get off work but not being too prepared I had to run a few errands before I got going. Needless to say I got to the campground by 1100 hours and the entire campground was full. I checked two other nearby campgrounds and they were also full by noon. One of the other strangers I was going to be camping w/ arrived, and when I told her we could go to this place called Greenridge State Park to camp, she was all for it.

So we ended up going to Greenridge and getting a nice large campsite on the North end. Once everybody showed up, they were all pretty happy w/ our campsite and Greenridge in general. They were all used to camping at cramped "family campgrounds" and didn't know anything like Greenridge existed. The nearest campsite to us was about half a mile down the road. Our dogs could roam around. The kids could scream and shout w/ out bothering anybody else and we'd didn't have to try to sleep w/ a bunch of people staying up all night drinking about being loud. The next day I found a creek w/ a deep spot where we could swim and play on a rope swing. We all had a good time.

I even got to ride my bike a little bit. Since we went to Greenridge at the last minute, nobody knew where it was or how to get to the campsite. We were able to get them to the exit off the highway and I rode my DR down and escorted them back to the campsite.
The next day I even went out for an hour ride while my wife and kid were taking a nap. I had brought along my helmet and knee/elbow pads, but I didn't have any boots. So my riding was pretty tame but I had a good time exploring the North side of Greenridge. After I got back, my wife actually asked if I could take her and my son for a short ride. I normally kind of a safety gear Nazi, but I went with it. With out helmets or any gear for any of us. My wife puts our 2 year old behind me and she gets up behind him, and off we go.
We had the last campsite on the road, and we had a nice little ride to the end of the road and back, crusing along at 15-20 miles an hour. Its not something I would really encourage anyone to do, but it was really fun. I was chatting w/ my wife as we rode along and I could feel my son peeking our either side around me. I thought this must have been what riding was like for guys back in the 60's and 70's. No helmets or gear, thow your little kids on the back or up on the tank and motor down the road.
When we got back, the other kids were jealous and wanted a ride. I took both my wife's little nephews, and then some of the older kids for a short ride. All the kids loved it.
We'll probably go camping again at least once or twice this year. We will definently be going to Greenridge. I'm gonna see about getting a helmet that will fit my son.

[Rut Row]

now THAT is a happy ending to what started out as an ugly story!

can't wait to see Caleb in MX gear on a 50!

[Kath]

Awww nice weekend. We take Cameron (3 1/2) up and down our court and around the yard all the time. He only has a bicycle helmet right now but we don't go faster than a bicycle with him anyway. He rides in front because I don't trust his attention span and focus just yet to hang on the back. lol He loves riding do much.

[Bucho]

Yeah, as a kid (maybe 4-5), I remember my Dad giving me a motorcycle ride. I was sitting up on the tank and we even went on the highway, no helmets or nothing. I figured it was 80 times safer then that.

Either way thanks for that. I'm sure there are tons of people who would be appalled by giving a toddler a ride on a motorbike.

[Rut Row]

He rides in front because I don't trust his attention span and focus just yet to hang on the hack.

fixed...

[CapoGreg]

My sisters and I spent the better part of our youth on either the tank or the back of dad's CB750. Sometimes one on the tank and one on the back. We did have helmets, but that was only after he went down on gravel with my older sister when she shifted her weight. Luckily, it was at the turn at the end of our road and they were going slow. I spent many miles on that bike before I could even reach the pegs, which is probably the reason for my addiction now.

Glad to hear you had a good weekend Bucho. I thought about going out there, but Monday is my wedding anniversary and that's probably not the romantic weekend she had in mind.

[Wingfixer]

I have a coupla kids helmets you could borrow, just give me a little lead time, they are in Virginia. If you can schedule something during a week that Kathy and I have the kids we would live to come along.

[Roadracer_Al]

Bucho, this officially makes you the Cool Dad.

[the dude himself]

[Louge]

Great read Phil on snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.

I went camping in GWNF with several of my nephews and nieces over the weekend. No riding, some 4X4ing and lots of shooting. I don't know anything about weapons but the red dotted pieces they've got turned Uncle Louie into a near sniper.

We met at the I-81 truck stop just South of I-66. I can't quesstimate how many thousand Rolling Thunder participants were there. Quite a site and source of pride ...