Camping at Burton Island, VT

Several years ago, Mandy and I introduced Kristen Sevene and her girls to hiking. Since that time, we've been tossing around the idea of a family camping meet-up, and this spring we settled on a plan: Burton Island State Park, VT, over July 21st weekend.

On a whim, I created a Facebook event page to invite other family and friends in the region who might be interested in joining the fun... and many of them were! By the time we arrived on the island, our group had 9 tent sites reserved, plus a couple boat slips for the "boat campers". I don't know the final count of adults, kids, and pets, but I'd guess that it was something around 35.

My own little family (plus Gigi and Babu) drove up on Friday with a car and a Harley. For the record, this was Cora's second camping experience and Jimbo's first (in a tent, anyway).

Nate drove Dad's Harley about half of the 10-hour (!) trip

When we FINALLY made it to Vermont (we took a scenic route that glanced off of Lake Ontario before following NYS-11 through Upstate NY), Cora charmed the ferry folks. The Island Queen's captain invited us up to the bridge so Cora could be the youngest-ever kid to "drive" the ferry on his watch.

Anchors aweigh!

Since we were late, most folks were already settled in at their campsites by the time we arrived. Friday night was a blur of tent-setting-up and dinner-grilling...

Our new brick grill at home has given me confidence to grill anything, anywhere.
As long as I have my grillin' apron.

The scene at our campsite the first night.

Saturday was a wonderfully lazy day spent hiking around the island, welcoming day visitors, napping in tents, hanging at the beach, jet-skiing, and running into friends and family at every turn of the trail.

Cora feels right at home in our tent.

We also got to meet our newest niece: Myla!



The Thompsons arrive for a day of fun.

The littlest member of our group slept the day away at the beach.

Lucky me!

The group came from at least 4 states and included Kellers, Jensens, Yates, Desranleaus, McEwings, Sevenes, Thompsons, Montes, and more...

Alissa and Lienna joined us, too.

Alivia only ate a little bit of sand.

We also spent a good amount of time at our campsite (#8), where Alissa and Lienna had so much fun that they decided to stay the night. Brooke arrived by ferry later that afternoon with their tent.

Here's looking at you, kid.

Thanks to Karisa for sharing some priceless campsite photos.

Nate holds court with the kids.

Overall, the weekend was a smashing success. Plans are already in the works for next year...