Natchez Trace State Park

This weekend our church hiking group went on our first camping trip. We originally planned to go to Henry Horton State Park, but alas the Sorghum Festival had taken all the spaces in the park. We wanted a park that had cabin, a lodge, and campgrounds so that we could offer a variety of options, so Natchez Trace State Park is where we ended up going.

When I was a Resident Assistant at Lambuth, we spent part of our training time at Natchez Trace. We stayed in Pin Oak Lodge and did team-building activities and had a cook-out. I have fond memories of area. It is where my fish Simon and Garfunkel recieved their names (thanks to Sam)!

We ran into traffic in Hendersonville on Friday, so it was almost dark by the time we go to our campsite. We quickly put up the tents so that we would have enough time to have dinner at the lodge before the restaurant closed. My good friend Melanie came along for Friday night, and it was great seeing her.

We didn't do much Friday night since we got there late. On Saturday morning, my parents cooked breakfast for everyone - sausage, biscuits & gravy, and coffee. We all sat by the campfire and shared stories about past camping trips we have been on.

Once we decided to get moving, we all went over to Bear Cub Lake - my family drove over so they could put the canoe in the water and the rest of us walked over. It was a pretty quick walk. There are two pretty bridges over the water. A few of us decided to take a longer walk up the hill. We had a pretty low-key lunch and afternoon. Judy & Jenni napped in the hammocks, Karen & Charlie went for a bike ride, Lea went for another walk, and my parents and I drove around the park. It was very relaxing!

Saturday night we did the traditional camping stuff - we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and Karen taught us how to make dough boys. I led a short devotion before we all called it a night.

This morning we planned to take a boat tour on the lake, but it was raining. We made donuts while we packed everything up. I'm not usually a big fan of donuts, but these were great! We were going to have a little worship service, but we cut everything short for the weather. I wish I would have thought to go to a picnic pavillion. My dad had a devotion planned, and I hate that he didn't get to do it. I'm sure it would have been great!

All in all it was a great weekend away!