• TrackRock Campground (Blairsville, GA)

    Our family recently had a weekend trip to the TrackRock Campgrounds in Blairsville, Georgia. We left on Friday afternoon and stayed until Sunday.  The campground was very nice and well maintained.  We arrived after the office closed but they had our name posted with our campsite on the bulletin board.

    There was a mix of retired couples and families as well as RVs and tents at the campgrounds. The campsites had enough space and trees around them to give everyone some privacy.  We stayed in campsite #10 which had full hookups (water, electricity and sewer) and as a bonus wild blueberries!  They were not quite ripe yet, but there were other berries around the property and a blueberry bucket in the office so they are pretty common.

    They have a lake you can fish or swim in, a couple playgrounds, hiking trails, and more.  TrackRock has their own stables were you can either board your own horse or go for a ride on one of theirs.  They have a variety of horse trails.

    Lake with the mountains in the background.

    Barn with old farm equipment around it.

    My favorite peeps!

    Trackrock Campgrounds, Cabins & Stables

  • Travel & Vacation: Picnic and Hike Around Lily Lake

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    Karlie and Brina hanging out at Lake Lily

    We head up to Lake Lily to have a picnic, walk around the Lily Lake Loop, and enjoy the scenery.  It was a beautiful day.  A little colder than we are used to in South Carolina.  We had a wonderful day with family!

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    Dad trying one of Renelle’s Wasabi Seaweed Strips!  Spicy, crispy, and delicious!

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    Fun at Lake Lily!

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    Renelle brought these super cool hippo treats.  The outside was a crunchy cookie dipped in white chocolate and chips of chocolate.  The inside was a creamy chocolate.

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    Pausing for a picture with Grandma Penny and Aunt Mary Ann on our hike around Lake Lily.

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    Karlie wanted a picture with these cool fallen tree by the lake!

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    The Rocky Mountains scenery is beautiful!

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    Having fun in the Rocky Mountains!

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    Grandpa Russell by Lake Lily!

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    Gorgeous mountains around Lake Lily!

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    Soaking in the scenery around the lake.

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    Karlie all smiles on the hike around the lake.

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    Grandpa Russell on a stroll at Lake Lily!

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    Love spending time with my girls exploring.

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    Karlie loves being outside!

  • Travel & Vacation: Kansas Family Reunion

    Family Reunion Milford Lake Kansas Irrigation

    Our family at Lake Milford this summer!

    All my immediate family members were able to come to Lake Milford this summer for a long weekend together.  We had a blast!  We went swimming, boating, skiing, kneeboarding, tubing, played games, celebrated birthdays, ate great food, laughed, and had a wonderful time making some new memories together.  Even our family’s soon-to-be newest member was able to join us for the weekend.  My youngest brother Josh will be getting married later this year and his fiance Megan (who we have known for many years) was a part of the fun family weekend!  Grateful for a weekend to catch up and have fun!

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    My parents, siblings, spouses, and kids!

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    We are a wild crew at times, drive each other nuts occasionally, but all-in-all we know how to have a good time together!  Yes, I am blessed to call this crazy bunch my family!

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    Relaxing for a few minutes at Cracker Barrel.

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    Rocking and playing checkers!

  • Travel & Vacation: The Grown Up Kids Having Fun Paddleboarding

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    Megan and Josh did really well on the paddleboard!

    The lake was perfect for paddleboarding.  Not only did the kids have fun trying out their talents on the paddleboard, but the adults had a blast too.  It was great seeing everyone get up and zip (yes some faster than others) across the lake on the paddleboard.  Thankful for some time of fun, laughter, and the chance to try a new activity with family!

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    Amber showing off her paddleboarding skills!

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    Who says the kids have all the fun!  I think the adults had just as much fun on the paddleboard!  At least Amber did!

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    Jake taking Brina with him on the paddleboard.

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    Megan and Josh gliding around the lake on the paddleboard.

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    Dad heading out to the middle of the lake on the paddleboard.

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    Keeping it steady.

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    Becky taking off!

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    Becky and Nicko on the paddleboard.

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    Lee was up and going in no time!

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    Nicko going for a ride with his Dad!

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    Dad teasing Jeremy before take off!

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    Jeremy paddleboarding on Lake Milford.

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    Uncle Lee and the kids!

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    Looking a little crazy!

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    Nathan and Grandma Penny

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    Grandpa Russell and Nathan

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    Lee and Becky going for a ride across the lake.

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    Nathan taking his Mom on the paddleboard.

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    Fun times at the lake.

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    Jake started out kneeling….

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    Once he was out a little ways he decided to stand up….

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    And he was successful!  Jake cruising around Milford Lake on the paddleboard.

  • Travel & Vacation: Kids Paddleboarding on Lake Milford

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    Yes, five kids can fit onto one paddleboard – Sierra, Brandon, Karlie, Nathan, and Brina

    On our last full day at Lake Milford Nate used his money to rent a paddleboard for several hours.  It provided a lot of fun entertainment for everyone!  The kids had a grand time as well as the adults trying their balancing skills on the paddleboard.  Thanks Nathan for sharing with everyone.  What a fun day!

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    Nate and Brandon on the paddleboard!

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    Brina and Brandon going for a ride on the paddleboard

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    Getting instructions from Uncle Jeremy

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    Nate and Sierra on a roll

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    Sierra and Nathan cruising across the lake

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    Karlie steering and Brina on for the ride

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    Brina’s turn to paddle while Karlie rides (or splashes in the water)

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    Nathan and Karlie on the paddleboard

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    Karlie in control of the paddleboard now as Nathan hangs on

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    Brina trying it out on her own…don’t go too far!

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    Karlie testing her paddleboard skills

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    Sierra going for a ride with Brandon on the paddleboard

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    Sierra demonstrating her balancing talents!

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    Brandon is a little concerned that Sierra’s balancing acts  may result in getting him tipped over

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    Brandon, Brina, and Sierra all standing on the paddleboard.  This is a lot harder than it looks because you have more movement and it is much easier to tip over.

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    Goofy kids!

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    Trying to catch their balance without flipping the paddleboard.

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    HOLD ON…..

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    Brandon thought it was hilarious that all the girls fell off the paddleboard.

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    Karlie, Brandon, Sierra, and Brina trying to get back on!

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    Gliding across Lake Milford

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    Brandon driving the paddleboard now

     

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    They are having a grand time!

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    Beautiful day for paddleboarding across the lake with cousins!

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    Brina smoothly sailing around on the paddleboard

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    Karlie taking Brina and Brandon around the lake.

  • Travel & Vacation: Tubing on Lake Milford

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    5 kids + 1 tube = loads of fun on the water!

    Tubing was a huge hit with the kids again this year.  I think almost all the kids went on the tube at some point over the weekend.  We had two of the exact same tube in two of the boats so if one boat was water skiing and knee boarding the other boat would be doing the tube or something else.

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    Brina on the tube with her two cousins Nate and Brandon.

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    Nate, Brandon and Sierra went a little faster on the tube!

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    They got some air under that one!

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    The expressions on their faces crack me up!

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     You can’t go as fast with 5 kids on the tube, but they still had a grand time!

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    All smiles!  Who knows what they were laughing about this time around!

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    Waving at the water skiers and knee boarders from the other boat!

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    Ready for a wild ride?!  Bracing themselves for the next bump!

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    Smiling as they zip around the lake!

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    Always a couple of dare devils in every crowd!

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    Lunch time!  Sandwiches and grapes on the tube (makes a good picnic table)!

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    Karlie and Brandon hanging out on the tube!

  • Travel & Vacation: Water Skiing and Knee Boarding

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    Dad and Lee water skiing on the outsides while Megan and Josh knee board on the inside!  All behind the boat at the same time!  Way to go!!!

    Our family enjoys the time on the lake!  Whether it is water skiing, knee boarding, tubing, or whatever there is plenty of fun for everyone including the kids.  It is always impressive to see several people being pulled behind the boat at the same time.  A couple of the days while we were at the lake it was really windy, but the last full day at the lake was the perfect set up for pulling multiple people behind the boat.  It takes a little more skill both for the driver and all the people in the water, but they managed to get up several times.

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    Karlie and Uncle Lee getting up on the knee boards!

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    And there up and going with smiles!

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    Our little water girl.  She would probably live on the water if we let her.  So proud of her doing the knee board several times all by herself this year!!!

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    Lee having fun!

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    Thumbs up!

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    He looks like he is up to something….

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    Having fun, but you can see it in her face she is getting tired.  Just….a….little….bit….longer…..!

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    Cruising around the lake on the knee board!

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    Fun times at the lake!

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    Becky and Lee’s turn now!

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    Way to go Becky!

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    Lee giving us the thumbs up as they pass us by!

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    We were taking pictures of the four on the water from another boat!

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    Here they come!

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    With four people and taking pictures from another boat it’s hard to get a close shot!

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    Zooming on past us!

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    Lee, Josh, Megan, and Dad all going at once!

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    There they go again!

  • Travel & Vacation: Splashing Around at Lake Milford

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    Grandpa’s ready to go swimming!

    We spent the majority of our day in the water at Lake Milford.  On our final full day at the lake we swam near the cabins so everyone could come and go as they wanted.  It was a lot of fun being able to swim and splash around in the water.

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    Nicko having fun at the lake!

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    Karlie using her balancing skills!

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    Brina using Jake’s shoulders as her diving board so she could spring into the water!

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    Karlie preparing for another big splash!

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    Karlie flying through the air!

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    Look out!  There goes Brina!

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    Hanging out with Zachie as  he enjoys his blue Lollipop!

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    First Aid Kit! Yes, Karlie discovered that zebra muscles on the rocks were not her friend (quite painful actually)!  Ouch!  Thanks Aunt Amber and Daddy for coming to her rescue!

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    All the kids (and some of the big kids too) enjoyed digging in the sand on the beach!

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    Becky and Zachie having fun!

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    Karlie hanging out with Grandma and Uncle Lee!

  • Travel & Vacation: Family Fun at Milford Lake

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    Having a blast with Nicko’s new bubble toy!

    We started and ended our days at Milford Lake in our cabin at Acorn Resorts.  All of my immediate family stayed in one cabin and several other family members were in cabins around us.  We didn’t always see everyone in the morning, but everyone met back at our cabin for dinner together every night.  During the day you would see a lot of family members swimming, on the boats, and doing various activities.  We celebrated my nephews birthday the night before, but we saved the gifts to open in the morning.  He was very excited!

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    Nicko opening his birthday gifts!

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    Very happy with his new shirt!

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    We moved the bubble fun outside!

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    Bubbles can be quite entertaining and fun!

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     Trying to catch and pop the bubbles!

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    Nicko’s LED Lighted Birthday balloons!!!  The LED balloons are always a hit with the kids.  We have had great luck with the illooms brand of LED Balloons lasting much longer than the package states.  You can find a variety of styles at Walmart or online!

    Family Reunion at Milford Lake

    The girls made some cool glow stick designs to hang over their beds at night!

  • Beautiful Kansas Lake Sunset

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    Kansas has some amazing sunsets!  One of the most peaceful and beautiful times on the lake are near sunset!

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    A splash of water as the skier cut across the wake at sunset on Milford Lake.

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    Enjoying the gorgeous sunset on the lake!