Same Park, New Memories

Thirteen years later...we made our way back to Dinosaur Valley State Park, but this time for a weekend of Spring Break camping with the Gommels! (Last campout with them was about 1 year ago...)

We enjoyed two nights of primitive camping (this place fills up early!), meaning no water, no electricity and everything hauled in via a short five-minute hike from the car. But that didn't stop our comfort, nor did it slow down Naomi and her wheeled suitcase. (We were super thankful to snag the closest site and have an emergency port-o-potty nearby!)

In her defense, this is her usual luggage that she brings home from college!
It just had an extra stop at a campsite!

It is going to fit through the tent door??? Answer: YES!

Part of the joy of camping is simply being outside in nature, unplugged, with long stretches of unhurried time, reading, relaxing and listening to the birds (and those wailing children nearby). No agenda, no expectations.

This state park offers 25 miles of trails, so when boredom eventual set in, there was plenty of opportunity for hiking in the beautiful sunshine and filling our lungs with fresh air! (NOTE: We remembered to bring the sunscreen, we just didn't apply the sunscreen. Sorry Danielle.) We completed two rounds of hikes on Saturday, both with interesting scenery, elevation and river crossings! 

Not pictured: a steep, rocky climb—nearly a 75% incline—that may or may not have been an actual trail. Questionable decisions aside, we all made it to the top and agreed the view was worth it..

Definitely worth the effort and risk!

Some opted for bare feet, others took a chance on wet socks and shoes!

Unplanned happy coincident: Danielle had randomly decided to watch the original Jurassic Park trilogy just before the trip. It definitely added a little extra intrigue to the whole dinosaur-themed experience—at least for the three of us.

No AI here! Real 3-D.

Yes, I 🩷jumping pictures.

The fossilized tracks are still there!

We kept all of our meals simple as usual - hot dogs, sandwiches, and taco bowls!

Evenings brought clear skies and incredible views—bright stars, visible planets, and what we think was a pass from the International Space Station. The weather couldn’t have been better: a chilly first night in the wee hours, followed by warm, comfortable days and a milder second night. 

As always, it was a fabulous experience shared with friends—making new memories (and stronger legs!). Each time, we’re reminded that we really don’t need much—just space in nature and people we enjoy being with. The best parts of life are often the simplest things.