One Lake Three Campsites

Last fall we went camping at El Dorado Lake. Our camp hosts told us about an event on Saturday called O.K. Kids Day. It stands for Outdoor Kansas Kids. They have different activities like archery,skeet shooting,horse back riding,fishing,petting zoo plus a free hot dog lunch and a goodie bag with a t-shirt,coupons from various sponsors,and pencils, balloons,etc. All Free. So we went and the kids had a ball. This is an annual event so we planned to go back this year.

We had panned to leave very early Saturday morning,then Friday as Bri took the day off work,then we ended up leaving Thursday evening about 6pm. This lake is about 45 min to 1 hour from our house so we were pushing it to get there and get set up before dark.

Over the summer our family developed a love of kayaking. So Bri had researched a place just outside of the state park where canoist and kayakers can put in and go up the White water river which feeds into the lake. The website he found gave good directions to get to this particular spot. So we arrive and get set up. It is a very wonderful spot. Right near the water, lots of wood for a camp fire, and secluded. The only thing is it is near train tracks that are very much in use day and night. But N Loves trains so it's ok. The next morning we wake up and the boys gather stones for a fire ring and build and maintain a great fire most of the day. Bri goes kayaking up the river and has a grand time. After lunch I take a nap with N in the tent and wake up to a truck pulling into our camp site. It is the local wildlife and parks ranger. We cannot camp here. It is for day use only. So we pack everything up and head into the state park.

We decide to camp at the same spot we had last year. Great place. Just across from the shower house,right on the water, plenty of wood. So we set up again and the boys gather wood,throw rocks in the water, have a great time. I heat up our chili over the fire and heat water to have hot cocoa with our dinner.

Saturday morning. OK KIDS DAY! The boys are beyond excited. Bri drives them over to watch set up while I fix breakfast. Back for a bite to eat and then off for a fun filled day. We start with the fishing derby after regestration. C catches the first fish of the day. An 18.5 inch Catfish! Next on to horse back riding,archery,skeet shooting,jumping in the inflatables,lunch and geo caching. Surprise visit from the Army national guard. Cool big army jeeps and army fire trucks. Back to camp for naps. Or is it?

Back at camp, the wind has picked up. It has been windy off and on but now is worse. Do we really want to stay on this open spot and fight the wind all night? NO! So we pack up again and set off for greener less windy pastures. We drive around checking this place or that. All the way on the other side of the lake we see a possibility. No go. Keep looking. Of course it's always the last place you look. Bri finds us the perfect spot. Behind a cedar tree. The wind is still blowing but our tent is safe from blowing in on us. After much gatheriing of more wood and an almost start to prairie burning we decide better not have a fire here. We still have a nice dinner and Bri and the boys find they can still roast marshmallows over the embers for s'mores. After washing the dishes we take a walk in the growing darkness. The boys proudly using thier new flashlight/lanterns they won at OK Kids. Back to camp for the best nights sleep all weekend.

Have a great day!

Leat