salida camping

We had one last free weekend for the summer that needed filling...And guess what we chose.  Haha!   I know, we did do alot of camping in a short period of time but had such fun doing so, I would not take one minute back.

Our Salida camping adventure began with a small hiccup.  We left on a Saturday and were planning to stay at one of the free spots that still had restroom accommodations.  I would say the reason we left the campsite was funny, but unfortunately, it was not at all. 

A small person, or midget, or little person, I apologize for not knowing the correct way to say a man who was about 3 feet tall came over to our camp site, very, very drunk and very, very high and began talking with us.  He kept implying things like, "I just came from a grow facility (aka marijuana)" and "too bad you have that one (pointing at Madison) or else you could enjoy this (holding up a large bottle of alcohol."  Ugh.  All we wanted was a cheap, fun place to camp, next to the river where Madison could run around and put her feet in the water.  Now both Ben and I keep thinking,  is he coming back or what is tonight going to be like.  With distracted minds and unease in our chest we decided to just pack up and go somewhere we had to pay.  That parental feeling is there for a reason and we decided to go with our gut.  Here is where the first stop was.  The area was PERFECT!  Free restrooms, free fire pit and right next to the river.

OH!!!  And how could I forget, not but two seconds before our drunk neighbor came over I STEPPED ON A CACTUS!  Yes!  Really!  I was being so vigilant with Madison that I tripped over a rock backwards with my foot landing squarely on a cactus.  I had over 100 needles sticking out of my foot.  Yep, it hurt but nope I was still running out of that campsite.  HAHA!

On driving about 30 minutes back the way we came, we stumbled onto a KOA Campground.  I have never been to one (that I can actually remember) and had no idea what "real" camping was, aka being at a KOA with a pool, showers, activities, grocery store and even a little store to shop in.  So....maybe not "real" camping but this is the life!!  We have been doing this camping gig all wrong!!  KOA here we come!!!!

She just cracks herself up!

Enjoying some pool time.  Unfortunately I was not planning on these lush accommodations and did not bring mine or Ben's swim suits.

Don't forget the playground!!!

Madison loved this slide but when Daddy sat up he had sand from here to you know where.  Haha.  The sacrifices we make!!

"Please Daddy, one more!"

We have started a camping journal and want to keep the pop up in a picture at every spot we go.

Even with the hiccups, the trip was tons of fun with lots of CRAZY memories :)