Darien Lake Campout

In July of this year (the 23rd through the 26th) we decided to do a camp out at Darien Lake.  We went with my brother (who is an avid camper,) and his wife and 2 kids, and Chris, Makenna, and myself.  We booked a campsite in early February and at the time, are thinking was, let's pick a spot that's covered by some shade.

Nice thought, BUT....we found out it was on uneven ground, and far away from bathrooms.  Really, how do they expect a little kid to get to the bathroom in time from such a far away spot?  But, that's not one of the questions they ask when you're booking a campsite.  In fact, Chris and I got to a point where we were actually driving to the restrooms.

So on one of our long walks to or from the bathroom, we were scouting out better areas to camp next year.  I do think we'll come back next year as Makenna was one inch shy of being able to go on the "big" rides.  Since we've come back home from that trip, she's grown that extra inch and can't wait until next Summer.

Those rides will have to be ridden with her father as I have found, as I've aged (gracefully?) that I can no longer handle spinning rides.  In fact, one night the "adults" wanted to go on the big roller coasters and I more than gladly took all three kids to the "little" rides.  Unfortunately, one of the little rides, was a bit too "spinny" for me and I almost lost it all over the kids.  That was even before the ride started!  I had to ask the kids to stop spinning the contraption we were in, and wait until the ride started.  I was going to have quite a funny/embarrassing story to tell if I did get sick.  After that ride, we went right over to a ride more my pace - the merry-go-round.

I did brave one roller coaster, which I counted over and over, to be only 33 seconds long, and there were no loops taking you upside down.  It was just fast and cinched you into a motorcycle.  So I was proud to have accomplished that. 

During the day, we enjoyed the water park portion and I enjoyed one day of sleeping near the kiddie pool while Makenna and her dad went down twisty water slides.  I did actually go on some of those too, but would have to hold onto my dear husband after getting off until I got my balance back. 

I think next year, we might actually try a "cabin" or a camper that they already have all set up on the camp grounds, just to save ourselves the hassle of all the crap we brought.  You think we were planning for the apocalypse with all the stuff that we had.  But at least we were prepared for anything!  And at least it didn't rain hard until the very last night which prompted our quick exit on our last day.

Makenna and Eli walking to the park

 I actually did okay on this ride but riding it twice was my limit

 This ride is more my speed!

 This is Jessica with Eli, Makenna, and Abbie

Plus, we know some other tips and tricks that we'll use for next year.  Like, bringing in a small lunch in our backpack so that we don't have to walk all the way back to our campsite (a 20 minute walk depending on where you are in the park) or to our car - which could be the same time distance - again depending on where you are in the park.  This will save a lot of time, crying, whining, and aggravation when you have a hungry, tired child.

I wish we had more pictures of the actual camping part but I only took the camera into the park one night and kept it locked up otherwise.  Oh well...next year!