I want Nature!
Camping is something that I LOVE to do. There is something to be said about sleeping in the outdoors with the sky so full of stars above you that you can see even with out a flashlight, sitting around a campfire, smelling the aromas so unique to the camping experience, and dozing off to sleep in your sleeping bag . The night wraps its velvet black arms around you and you can hear the voices of the wild. By "voices of the wild" I mean that critter prowling right next to our tent that Love heard and woke me up for, and insisted that I poked my head out of the tent and had a peek. Hey, I even managed to snag a shot of it before it badgered off into the wild...
As soon as I started flashing my light in the dark around it stopped. It was probably someone just going to the bathroom in the weeds and they got spooked when they saw the light.
As for me, I prefer the wild, adventurous camping experience, borderline survivalist, you know the one who brings absolutely nothing with them to camp and attempts to climb that mountain-alone, without a rope and climbing gear. 
Love is much more tame in her camping preferences, so opted for a happy compromise, Ray Roberts Lake State Park.
Oh, and check out the cool tent I set up, IN THE DARK!
Camping is nature's hotel. Not to mention that it's free, or at least cheaper than getting a hotel. And I give nature's hotel...
a five star review. We splurged on a a Coleman 6-person Ara tent room, luxurious and spacious, cushioned by a new Coleman's ComfortSmart Queen-sized air mattress, and found it more than sufficiently restful for the evening.
Blankets, sleeping bags, and pillows are readily made available upon request. The concierge were park rangers, ready to accommodate to any travel needs, with a lobby that smells like fresh flowers and pines. They do not offer room service, you must to satisfy these needs at the "Camp Store". The lighting is rather poor at night, we suggest you provide your own flashlights or lanterns. You will find the plumbing more than adequate, 1 spigot per 5 campsites, and the restrooms quiet and immaculate, provided with open ventilation. 
Most of restaurants in the area offer outdoor dining. Your wineing and dining experiencing is completed around the campfire with supplies you brought from home. Entertainment consists of hanging outdoors and doing camper-like things such as hiking, fishing, swimming and exploring nature. Evenings are typically spent around the campfire, smelling the wood smoke from a crackling fire, roasting hot dogs or marshmallows and just enjoying being out of doors. 
As for the pool... well... ahem..need I say more?
You will find the imported sand waterfront, algae and weed-free beach accompanied by stunning sunsets to your liking. In fact, it was so alluring that Love swam way out to the buoy and touch it (and she is terrified of swimming in lakes in open water)! I am so proud of her! She swam so far out there for the promised "Park Pass", a card that will allow the user free entry into any Texas State Park for the next year. I really didn't think she'd do it, now I'm out about $65, but it will be well worth it. I assure you we will go back several times, and now that we've got that pass, best milk it for all it's worth! She loved it, see her documentation at:
Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
If you ask any camper, each one will have different reasons but what they all have in common is a love of the outdoors and being a part of nature.
posted by Austin @ 1:28 PM
4 Comments:
That thing crawling around out there was NOT someone just going to the bathroom...it sounded more like a deer! It's okay, I'm very glad you were so brave to take a look and make sure we were safe. :) You're the best husband ever!!! :) Thanks for taking us on a wonderful camping trip! :)
And I would have to give "Nature's Hotel" a 5-star rating too. Whoopee for state park camping!!! :)
I'm glad you enjoyed your 5 star hotel-tent! :) That was a mighty big bear there in your campsite! Did YOU swim out to that buoy, too?? That big lake is man-made. I wonder where they got all the water to fill it up???
Glad you enjoyed your camping trip! :) If you were here, you might have actually seen a bear at your camp site. :D The kids keep asking when they are going to see Uncle Awesome and Auntie M again!! You guys just may have to make a trip out to see us sometime. We love ya'll lots!
Of COURSE I swam out to the buoy, I LOVE being in out in deep open water, it feels so... free and liberating! It's a man-made lake, it was constructed when a dam was built on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River.
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