Sara's Campground Erie, PA {Wanda the Wander Wagon}

 Last year during a day trip to Presque Isle State Park, I saw a sign for Sara's Campground and thought it would be a fun place to camp. I checked the website which directed me to call the office for reservations. I called the office and a very sweet voice on the other end of the phone asked for my name and address. I obliged and was told I'd receive a reservation request post card in the mail. About a week later I received a yellow post card. I filled it out with our camper type and five dates we would like to camp. Then I read the top that said to send in the post card after January 1st. It was September. I placed the request card on the fridge and waited hoping I wouldn't forget. I forgot. I did remember to send out the request in February. A week after sending off my hopeful postcard I received an email letting me know they had two spaces left for two of the dates we chose. Of course I couldn't remember the dates I had chosen, but they were happy to remind me. I selected the shorter of the stays since this was our first time camping there. I was able to pay and reserve our site over  the phone. The owner or manager of the campground was amazing throughout the process. She even refunded us for a night when I called to let her know we would be coming in a day later than expected. 

The date of travel finally arrived and we loaded up Wanda and hit the road.  Erie is about an hour and a half from us so it wasn't a long trip. The area entering Sara's Campground is very busy and a little confusing, but they did have a staff member in a golf cart waiting to take us to our site and give us all the information we needed. We received a tag for our car that included basic camp rules, the code for the bathroom/showers, a long list of everything you could possibly want to visit in the area broken down into catagories, and coupons for Crazy Oven, an on-site pizza place. The one thing we didn't receive which would have been helpful is a site map, but you can easily access the site map online and there is a large map when you enter the campsite that you can take a cell phone picture of for reference. 

All of the camper sites are on cement pads so backing Wanda in and getting her level was easy peasy. My first impression of our site was not a good one. There was one tiny tree and we were surrounded by gravel. I immediately thought of my poor hammocks which we would have no where to hang. Still I was hopeful. We were a little closer to our neighbors that we are used to. Make that a lot closer, and we were backed up to a fence that separated us from Sara's Restaurant. 

Luckily Sara's Campground is very close to just about everything so when we needed an extension cord to reach the outlet which was to the front of Wanda and actually closer to our neighbors popup, we didn't have far to travel. This is only our second time taking Wanda to a site with electric so we are still learning the ropes. 

Once we were back and had Wanda lit up, we headed across the street to the beach. There is a pedestrian walkway with flashing lights. Motorist are very attentive and crossing the road was easier than I expected on such a busy road. 

The beach just across the street is rocky and does not have a lifeguard. We let the kids play in the water up to their knees. They enjoyed throwing rocks and searching for sea glass. After playing for about an hour, we headed back to the campsite to rest, but knew we wanted to go back to the beach at sunset. It was a decision we didn't regret. The sunset was beautiful.

After sunset we went back to the camper. Started a fire and had hot dogs and s'mores. This was a little awkward due to the proximity of our neighbors. Our fire pit was only a few feet from their car. It made it difficult to truly relax and I found myself reminding our kids to be quiet more often than is usual on a camping trip. 

After our campfire and s'mores we called it a night and headed to the bathroom/shower house. We ended up driving because it was just a little farther that I thought Grayson would walk at 10 o'clock at night. We made it back to the camper and went to bed. I had a moment of anxiety when I imagined our neighbors being able to hear me snore, but it turns out I was too tired to care. 

When I woke up at 7 the next morning it was already warm. It turns out a cement pad surrounded by gravel and no sign of shade is a heat magnet. David woke up and somehow managed to make breakfast in the heat and with some fuzzy white things from the trees flying around. At that point I knew we wouldn't do much more cooking at the campsite. 

After breakfast we headed over to the private beach owned by Sara's Campground.  It just a little bit more of a walk than the beach just across the street. This stretch of beach is not life guarded and there is tent camping so be prepared to see a lot of people coming and going. Like the other beach, this one is rocky. We let the boys play and search for sea glass. The water was mostly calm but the rocks were a little slippery and difficult to walk on. After about an hour of playing we headed back to camp. We decided play cards. For lunch we ordered pizza, wings, and a hoagie from Crazy Oven. The restaurant is so close we were able to order over the phone and walk over to get it. Eating out while camping is not our norm at all, but this was no normal trip and we are pretty good going with the flow.  The food was delicious and it meant we didn't have to cook on the hot cement pad. 

After lunch we headed out to Bundy beach which is out on the peninsula. Bundy beach is one of our favorites for swimming! The beaches are sand, there are lifeguards, and you can walk out pretty far and the water still isn't too deep. The kids loved playing in the sand, swimming, and burying me! 

After the beach we headed back to camp to clean up. The showers in the shower house are $0.25 for 5 minutes, $0.50 for 10, $0.75 for 15, and $1 for 20. We weren't aware there was a charge for showers, but luckily we had a quarter stash in the Jeep. The bathroom and showers are well maintained. Given that most people had big RV's, my guess is they don't see a lot of traffic. 

Clean and sand free, we hung out at the camper untill it was almost sunset time. We went to Sara's Restaurant for some ice cream and then made our way across the street and found a nice log to sit on as we watched the sun set. The sunsets were by far a highlight for me. 

On what turned out to be our final morning,  we ventured out for breakfast. We had seen an IHOP, but we found out it wasn't open yet. With a little googling I found Dave's Diner which wasn't too far away. I wish I had gotten photos, but I was busy keeping Grayson entertained. The food was delicious and the service was great. The only caveat is that they have metered parking that only took quarters and we had just used all our quarters at the showers! Luckily we found a space with a meter that still had time on it. The waitress also told us there is an app called meterez that you can use to add money. We set up an account for next time.

We headed back to camp and decided we'd like to go on a surrey ride. So, we drove to Yellow Bike Rental Co. Rented a four person surrey, and cycled our way through part of Presque Isle State Park. It was a fun ride with lots of laughter and we saw a hereon. 

After our ride we visited beach 6 and searched for more sea glass. When we returned to camp we saw that the weather looked like storms for the next day so we decided to close up Wanda and head home after grabbing dinner from our favorite BBQ place Underdog BBQ. They of course. Did not disappoint. 

A quick trip back to hook up Wanda, and our trip to Sara's Campground was complete. This trip was nothing we expected, but was exactly what we needed. The beach and sea glass searching, the surrey ride, sunset gawking, and even trips out to eat were fun and offered just the rest we needed. 

My final thoughts on Sara's Campground. It's always good to know what to expect. If you like a quiet secluded campsite with lots of trees and grass, this probably isn't the place for you. If you don't mind a crowded campground and want close proximity to the beach and lots of activities this is your place! Just remember to bring quarters for the shower, an extension cord and extra long water hose of you want full hook ups. Make sure you take a surrey ride and if you get the urge to eat out checkout any of the places I mentioned. You won't be disappointed. And trust me on the sunset gawking. 

Slow Motion

We can all agree that 2020 has not been the year we imagined, planned for, or in any way ever expected.  It's hard for me to even put into words what I've felt over the past few months. Like many of you, I've been on an emotional roller coaster. I remember reading posts in the beginning of all of this that talked about not returning to "normal".  I was torn by those posts.  I loved my normal.  I was working as a nurse with an amazing client that I love.  I got to be at school every day with my boy.  I was looking forward to a summer off and planning for a garden and adventures.  Then it all came screeching to a halt. I know I'm not alone in this.  In fact, this is probably one of the most un-alone times I've ever experienced.  In my little town, our country, and across the world this story is repeated again and again.  "Two weeks to flatten the curve." became a mantra I repeated to myself as I tried to tame my anxiety by cleaning out closets and scrubbing walls.  Two weeks turned into a month. One month turned into two and on it goes. 

We are nearing the start of school and while that comes with so many questions and fears, I can look back now and say I don't want to go back to normal.  I have loved this time with my boys.  LOVED IT.  Of course I want to work. I love my career.  I don't want my career to consume me. I don't want to forget that these days with my boys are numbered. I don't want to  jump back into things and forget all the beauty that came with living life a little more slowly.  We grew things: potatoes, tomatoes, zinnias.  We wandered the garden in the mornings looking for signs of new life.  We gasped over every new leaf and flower.  We noticed sunlight filtering through leaves and droplets of water sliding down petals.  

We went on an adventure in our new-to-us pop-up camper recently and I savored every moment.  This was our first camping trip with the boys.  (I'm seriously embarrassed to say that, but life happens fast.)  We sat by the fire and played hide and seek in the dark with glow sticks.  We hiked to a waterfall and tubed down the Clarion River.  We laughed so much.  We ate yummy foods and planned future adventures.  It was just what this heart of mine needed to remind me to keep it slow. It will be easy to fall back into the routines of life.  It will be easy to get caught up in things that distract me from all of the beauty that surrounds me.  I hope these memories will be the lifeline that pulls me back when I forget. 

Cook Forest Camping Adventure {Wanda The Wander Wagon}

 We recently took our new-to-us pop up camper, Wanda the Wander Wagon, on an adventure to Cook Forrest in Western PA.  Cook Forrest is a PA State Park that encompasses nearly 12,000 acres and is bordered by the beautiful Clarion River. We've visited the Cook Forrest area many times, but this was our first camping adventure.  We stayed at site 055 in Ridge Camp campground.  The site had the perfect amount of shade and was very close to the bathrooms which is important when you have a three-year-old (or a 41-year-old on a diuretic). Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. This site also has electric hook ups and is pet friendly though we decided at the last minute not to take our dogs.  I personally loved the site because of the large wooded area behind it.  It made the perfect space for glow stick hide and seek!  The campground is large and has several campground hosts to answer questions and help out if you need it.  There is a large field with a playground and an amphitheater where events are held.  Sadly we missed the signups for the Perseid Meteor shower presentation, but we made up for it with a night-time adventure of our own.

A must do adventure when visiting Cook Forrest is a trip to the fire tower. The access road for the fire tower is just across the road from Ridge Camp, so it's an easy find if you're looking for a great view of Cook Forrest.  The hike up to the tower is quick and easy and you can take your time getting to the top of the fire tower.  Our three year old was able to handle it pretty easily.

Thanks to Jim Cheney at Uncovering PA  and his amazing article on Henry Run Sawmill Dam Falls, we were able to take an adventure to the only waterfall in Cook Forrest.  If you're feeling up to a bit of a hike and have several extra hours to spare, it's totally worth it.  I highly recommend taking extra water and using a walking stick.  Parts of the trail are fairly steep and a little slippery.   Go slow and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

After our hiking adventure we enjoyed some delicious food.  I pre-made foil chicken packets with potatoes and corn based on a recipe I found at Taste of Lizzy T.  The were delicious.  The kids were more interested in pizza mountain pies and dessert mountain pies.  We stuffed crescents with cherry pie filling, hazelnut spread, and marshmallow and cooked them in our pie irons.  It was so so good!

No visit to Cook Forrest is complete with out a trip to Cook Forrest Fun Park. We have always loved mini golf and go carts at the fun park, but this year we were able to try the bumper boats too!  The kids couldn't decide which was more fun. 

We finished up our camping trip with a lazy float down the Clarion river via Pale Whale Canoe Fleet.  The river was on the low side, but it didn't stop the fun!  I was a little worried about taking Grayson out in a tube but he did wonderfully! 

IF you're looking for a fun family adventure in western PA, consider Cook Forrest. If you're camping or just going for the day, there is so much to do! Don't forget to stop by Cooksburg Cafe for great food and ice cream!  We certainly had our fair share of their ice cream on our trip. And if you're traveling to Cook Forrest by way of  route 66, stop by DB's Smokin' BBQ for a really good meal.  We stopped on our way in and had wonderfully full bellies our fist night of camp. 

Until next time!  We're already planning our next adventure with Wanda.

It's a lazy Saturday morning.  The sky is grey and full of clouds. Hayden and I spent the morning watching cartoons in my bed.  It is one of his favorite things to do.  I did a little more sleeping than he liked so he woke me to sounds of his toy pet parrot screaming that it wanted a pet lizard. How he got to the toy parrot which was perched high atop a cabinet is another story and one I was apparently asleep for. We will just imagine that it flew down on it's own rather than picture him scaling the shelving to get to it.  This life of cuddles, cartoons, and craziness is about to get a lot more cuddly and crazy with the addition of another baby.  To say I'm not at all scared would be a lie. To say I'm overjoyed would be an understatement.  I never thought I'd get this chance again, but here we are starting over.  This should be interesting.

I miss him.

I know that the sky's full of stars.
And dreams call your name from afar.
I'm anxious to see, all you're gonna be.
But I'm sure gonna miss who you are.
Read more at Lyrics.com 

No one told me I'd measure the time in jackets that no longer fit and pants that are now too short.  They told me to enjoy him.  "Soak up every moment!" they said.  But they never told me it would never be enough.  I'm living these moments and, trust me, I treasure every last one.  I am fully here and present when he wants to play wash cloth bomber while taking a bath, when he asks me to hold on for just one more cuddle, when he begs me not to tickle him in that way that means he wants a hundred more tickles.  I'm soaking it all in and trying my best to hold on tight. Then I see a picture and I notice how much the shape of his once small baby boy face has changed, or the way his hair doesn't have that slight curl to it anymore. In the photo he is wearing a sweater that hasn't fit in over a year and a shirt that I hid in a box in my room because it's his favorite  and one day I'll make a blanket out of all those shirts, I swear!  I see the boy he was and try to match him to he boy he is.  He is still him, only bigger and more him because he is learning more about who he is every single day.  This being a parent thing is a constant battle between wanting to see him grow and become who he is and wanting him to stay this small because he fits perfectly in my arms with his head on my shoulder.  I'm not sure I'll ever get the balancing act right.

Fighting fevers

A hush rushes the falling snow. From my cozy bed, I watch the winter white flakes decend, toppling one on top of the other. Sunlight streams through frosted branches and sparkles like diamonds. The birds are quiet this morning. Perhaps they too are mesmerized by falling snow. I hear Hayden giggling in his room. My bones ache from spending part of the night in his bed, comforting him while he coughed and monitoring a fever that finally broke at 3 a.m.  The early morning quiet feels like a gift after a long night of battleing and his giggles sound like a victory cry. I think I'll pry myself from between the covers to check on my favorite warrior and see what adventures await.

Putting it out there.

I live in the smallest city in the U.S.A complete with three restaurants, two bars, a bank, and a grocery store.  I moved here after spending eleven years in the land of plenty of everything.  Grocery stores and Starbucks littered every street corner.   I felt like a stranger in that land.  A girl from a small town in Oklahoma. A girl who grew up attending church twice on Sunday and every Wednesday night.  California stretched me in places I didn't know needed stretching.  It changed me.  Then I left it. I moved across the country and once again feel like a stranger in a strange land even after 7 years here.  The truth is, I'm not sure I fit in anywhere.
Everyone is talking politics.  I watch the debates. I read the stories.  Everyone has a favorite.  I've no favorite.  I pick and chose pieces from each.  I'd like to mush them together like a beautiful play-doh rainbow of politicians.  I agree and disagree even with myself at times.  I see a panel of candidates and they mirror a vast and colorful country and people. I feel like that is what makes us beautiful and amazing.  We can't forget to embrace that.  How boring would it be if we all agreed on everything?  Even worse what would we have to post on social media about?

At thirty-six

Today I am thirty-six.  That's double the age I feel until I try to turn a cartwheel and then I feel much much older.
 In 13,140 days I have  laughed until I wet my pants, cried until I had the hicuups and then cried a little more, created and carried life inside of my own body, committed myself fully to another, lost and found myself again and again, held someone's hand as they took their last breath, and watched wide-eyed as a baby was born.
In 315,360 hours I've traveled across the country and back again, called three different states home, visited three countries, but never felt more at home than at grandma's house on a Sunday afternoon.
In 18,921,600 seconds I've believed in myself and given up on myself, jumped into ice cold water times three, sat under the expance of the night sky and felt how very small I am, made mountains out of mole hills, found my people, danced in the rain, been wrong, taken a chance, surprised myself, said I'm sorry, doubted and believed, sang in the grocery store, been so so greatful for just one more second, faced my biggest fears, and realized some pretty big dreams.
I just read "The Opposite of Loneliness" by Marina Keegan.  One line moved me.  "..the best years of our life are not behind us.  They are a part of us...".
Those seconds, hours, and days are me.
If you've been with me for any of those thirty-six cycles around the sun, thank you.  You're a part of this too.