We have a camping membership called Thousand Trails. It’s sort of like a time share but less classy. Instead of a condo on a beach, we get a campsite in…
We have a camping membership called Thousand Trails. It’s sort of like a time share but less classy. Instead of a condo on a beach, we get a campsite in a network of campgrounds. Some of these campgrounds are wonderful. Most are really great. A couple have been “meh“. One or two have made me wonder if I’m up to date on my tetnus.
Forest Lake Campground in Advance, North Carolina, was wonderful. We only stayed here for four days. Four days that were full of simple pleasures like walking through the woods, fishing, and exploration.
![Forest Lake Thousand Trails NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Forest-Lake-Thousand-Trails-NC-500x333.jpg)
We could see the lake from our campsite where Thing Two spent hours fishing.
![Fishing at Thousand Trails Forest Lake NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Fishing-at-Thousand-Trails-Forest-Lake-NC-300x400.jpg)
![Thing Two Fishing Forest Lake Thousand Trails NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Thing-Two-Fishing-Forest-Lake-Thousand-Trails-NC-500x333.jpg)
Dinner. Seriously.
![Lexington NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Lexington-NC-500x333.jpg)
One afternoon the boys and I decided to explore the nearby small town of Lexington, North Carolina.
![Inside the Candy Factory Lexington NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Inside-the-Candy-Factory-Lexington-NC-500x333.jpg)
Our first stop was The Candy Factory where I had to say no more than yes.
![Vintage Shop Lexington NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Vintage-Shop-Lexington-NC-500x333.jpg)
We found a great antique/vintage shop complete with a military room. Thing Two could have stayed in there all afternoon.
![The Sluicway at Hiddenite Gems](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/The-Sluicway-at-Hiddenite-Gems-500x333.jpg)
Another afternoon, the boys and I drove to Hiddenite Gems for some prospecting.
![Thing One Sluicing Hiddenite Gems NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Thing-One-Sluicing-Hiddenite-Gems-NC-266x400.jpg)
Sluicing.
![Gems at Hiddenite Gems NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Gems-at-Hiddenite-Gems-NC-266x400.jpg)
![Creeking at Hiddenite Gems NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Creeking-at-Hiddenite-Gems-NC-500x333.jpg)
We left the sluiceway for some “creeking”.
![Thing Two Hiddenite Gems NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Thing-Two-Hiddenite-Gems-NC-500x333.jpg)
Thing Two was in his element. (Pun intended.)
![Looking for Gems at Hiddenite Gems NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Looking-for-Gems-at-Hiddenite-Gems-NC-266x400.jpg)
He could have searched for gems all day.
![How Happy Hiddenite Gems NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/How-Happy-Hiddenite-Gems-NC-266x400.jpg)
Thing One put on a happy face and posed for some shots for me.
![How I really feel at Hiddenite Gems NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/How-I-really-feel-at-Hiddenite-Gems-NC-266x400.jpg)
In reality, he thought creeking was about as exciting as trimming toenails. He prefers the finer things in like visiting mansions.
![Creek Panning at Hiddenite Gems NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Creek-Panning-at-Hiddenite-Gems-NC-500x333.jpg)
But after I told him to “at least act happy” I got this.
![Panning at Hiddenite Gems NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Panning-at-Hiddenite-Gems-NC-500x333.jpg)
And this “Do I look Like I’m Having Fun Now?” smile.
![HAPPY Hiddenite Gems NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/HAPPY-Hiddenite-Gems-NC-500x333.jpg)
“Is this happy enough for you, mom?”
![Squirrel Hiddenite Gems NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Squirrel-Hiddenite-Gems-NC-285x400.jpg)
![Duck Hiddenite Gems NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Duck-Hiddenite-Gems-NC-500x333.jpg)
We also made some little friends.
![Brothers Hiddenite Gems NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Brothers-Hiddenite-Gems-NC-500x333.jpg)
Pictures like this make me forget that “mom” is synonymous with “referee”.
![Thing One Hiddeite Gems NC](/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Thing-One-Hiddeite-Gems-NC-500x332.jpg)
Finally a real smile. On our way to the car.
Love and Laughter,
Jenn
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