post three

My First Amazing Campout

Audra Baker

English 1

                On a dark, breezy night two families talked and fished, while eating under the stars.  A nice toasty fire and some light up bobbers on the lake were the only type of light anyone would see if they were to join the fun.  These families were my own and some very close friends.  I was ten years old and this night was the best night of any camping trip I have ever been on. 

                In summer of 2011, my mom, dad, brother (Aaron), sister (Adrianna), and I went on a camping trip in central Illinois with the Mcmullens (Hannah, Izzy, Ray, and June).   As my dad and Ray drove the two families to a Yogi Bear campsite, I wondered what camping was like this far from home; Scary…, Fun…, Sad…, I had no clue.  When the vans hit the parking lot, the kids were out of the car in seconds and up to the door of the big, oak lodge.  As the parents received the campsite number, Hannah, Aaron and I looked around the canteen.  It was basically like Walmart, but in a smaller space.  It had everything!  As Aaron turned the corner, he said,”Whoa”.  There was a picture of this cat fish that was, so big it wouldn’t even fit in the bed of a pickup truck.

                Aaron asked,” What is that?”

                “That is a catfish was lifted out of the lake after it was stuck in some of the reeds by the lake” the campsite manager said.

                Aaron, Hannah, and I thought that was wicked.   Everyone went back to the cars and the dads drove the ladies and my brother to the campsites.   The parents set up the tents, while Hannah and Izzy unloaded the luggage and Aaron, Adrianna and I unload the kitchen stuff.  The campsite had a few, tall oak trees, an old picnic table, and a man-made firepit.

                Later that night, the boys were fishing and the girls were chatting with each other.  It was even more fun, because Ray brought this really cool light-up bobber that made the lake look like a light-up disco ball.  My dad made beef stew for supper and brownie smore’s were for dessert.  Brownie smore’s are two brownies and a toasted marshmallow squished it together.  The sky was crystal clear and allowed all its bright shining star shine in the sky.  There was a small breeze in the air that made the trees dance in it flow.  The lake looked non-existent, because of its dark murky water.  The tents glowed from the lanterns inside.  The fire was golden and orange on the tips of it licking flames.  It made crackling noises as the flames rose.  The embers were cherry red and the wood was black with cracks all over.  The stone pit was covered in ash from cooking and glowed a dim orange from the flames.  The gray, glassy smoke rose straight up in the air trying to grab the star up above.  Eventually the boys did catch some fish and after a long time everyone fell asleep.

On a mid-summer night, I sat with my closest family and friend on campsite fishing on a lake.  My family and the McMullen had a wonderful time and it was the perfect day for camping.  I was only ten years old and so far this had been the best campout of my life.