They flew in from Chicago, our big-city kids, and spent a week here at Camp Redbud. A week away from the hustle and bustle of Gotham. A week in the woods. A week without Mom and Dad. A week without video games. A week where a traffic jam is three whitetail on the gravel road. A week of, well, let's just see.
Oh dear God. He's not going to post a bunch of pictures of his grandchildren, is he?
Yes. Yes I am.
The centerpiece of the visit is always the pond and the kids love it. At six and eight, they're both terrific swimmers and, with a couple of noodles (and when the bluegill aren't nipping at their appendages), they could stay in the water all day. That's fine with us.
And when you're too tired to be in the water, you can simply be on it, exploring the back corners of the big swimming hole.
And then there's the new tree fort that Grandpa threw up the week before. Just above the house, up the ridge a-ways, it's a great place for picnic lunches, card games, and a night under the canopy.
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| Photo by Mary York |
But Camp Redbud is not just about swimming and playing in the woods. There's also some cutthroat games of Sorry...
...and blowing spit bubbles at the Durham Bulls ballpark...
...and watching Star Wars with Aunt Mel...
...and having just plain silliness with Uncle Amo and Zeppelin (who, by the way, has finally given up trying to herd the youngsters and simply has fun with them).
But all good things must come to an end and the ten-hour drive back north was quiet, contemplative, and uneventful. (Okay, the iPad helped).
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| Photo by Mary York |
But they'll be back. Oh yes, they'll be back. Camp Redbud always awaits.
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10 comments:
Making sweet Camp Redbud memories! xo
More Fun than I would have or could have imagined!
Live Free ...
Wonderful photos, as always, Mike! And I covet that tree fort. I always wanted something like that when I was their age.
Awesome!
That isn't the kind of fort one simply throws up. Good work gramps.
Grandparent level: Expert. You're doing it right sir!
What wonderful pictures, Mike. I see, too, that you have a new doggy addition to your family. Congratulations!
Thanks to all for the kind words.
I would have loved such a tree fort as well, Cathy, and the base was already in place, Clif, so my last minute addition was the railings. Fun to do, actually.
And still working through the levels, Mac, but hope we're headed in the right direction.
Say hello to Zeppelin, Charity. He's a joy.
Having grown up an inner city Chicago boy, my fondest memories were getting away from it all. My dad had friends with better jobs who had shacks on no name lakes up in Wisconsin. Sun, water, woods, boats and me, slack jawed taking it all in.
Years later thinking about it, I believe that's where it all started. That need for water, woods and quiet.
Teach them well. Like me, it may not sink in for a few decades. Then one day they realize, they can live in places like that.
Thanks for that, Ken. The lifestyles are so incredibly different - each with their attractions and advantages, to be sure. Our job, as grandparents, is simply to give them joy, wherever they are.
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