Father’s Day Weekend at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

Spray Park at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts, RV Campgrounds

The first camping trip for 2016 was a success. We spent the weekend at Yogi Bear Jellystone Park in North Java, NY. We’ve camped at this resort several years and would like to go there more often is it weren’t so expensive. The campground is very large and we always rent a golf course which adds to the expenses.

The weather was perfect and the campground was packed. The kids loved the spray park, swimming in the pool, swimming in the lake, and playing in the sand. Unlike my sons, the girls were not hesitant to ride the paddle boats, kayak, and row boat….alone. This trip was also MY first time on a kayak. It takes a lot of energy and once you get the paddling together, you can move around pretty good.

Jellystone is the only campground (I know of) that has a rather large and diverse staff. This was the first time we’ve seen a diverse campground staff AND diverse campers. We were shocked that we were not the only black family camping. That was great to see. Now about the large diverse staff. The staff was diverse in sex, race, and age. And, when there is a large number of staff, you will run into some mess. And we did. All I will say is that some people should not work at places where they are required to be around a lot of families. I have very little tolerance for old grumpy men. I am all about respecting my elders but I will let you know who I am with the quickness. This is not the 60s homie.

Back to the positive. Jellystone has a great general store. They serve all the regular stuff but have a kitchen that delivers. Will had an emergency run home and I am not a grill master like him so I ordered pizza.

Overall, I highly recommend Jellystone; especially for beginners. They have a large amount of cabins, lots of space for ten campers, laundry facilities, clean bathrooms, and plenty of activities to you busy all day.

Can We Make It Happen?

Hello! Shawnice here and I am so ready to make camping what it’s supposed to be. During our Memorial Day 2015 camping trip, we broke the tow bar…again! I can imagine how upset I was. I told Will that we are experienced campers and cannot continue to let people who “think” their more experienced than use try to help with parking the RV.

I have been helping Will park the camper for YEARS! I need him to trust me and know that I have our best interest at heart.

We eventually got the tow bar fixed but not in time for another trip. But 2016 should be on like Donkey Kong.

Can we make it happen? Yes we can!

On a side note, I am on Twitter now. I have 2 followers! LOL! Will and my friend Gail. You can follow me @justsewpeazy. Yes, I am a sewer. I wrestled with the idea of creating a twitter account for BlackCampers. The work it would take to manage two account  was outweighed by my desire to remain sane.

Anywhoooo…Will and I going on our annual wine tour this weekend and will try to periscope our adventure.

Here’s to a great 2016 camping adventure.

 

Memorial Day 2015

We had our first camping trip for the year this past Memorial Day. The Ridge (formerly known as Frost Ridge) has been our Memorial Day campground for several years. We registered at the campground later than desired and ended up in a site that is a comfortable pull-through spot for a pop-up, but not our RV. It took a little over an hour for me to park the RV. The first night was so cold, we didn’t even attempt to build a fire. We retired early and woke to a great morning with a great breakfast.

The Breakfast Bowl

A few years ago we started adding all of our breakfast items in one bowl. At first it made for easy clean-up but then we started loving the mash-up and made it a staple in our camping trips. Our breakfast bowls include potatoes, onions, bacon, sausage, eggs, cheese, and a drizzle of syrup.

I still keep a box of cereal and yogurt on hand because that is the only breakfast my youngest will eat. The breakfast bowl, along with a cold cup of orange juice or a cup of hot coffee, helps to warm up an otherwise chilly morning.

Swimming

Thankfully, the weather warmed up some later that day and the kids were able to go swimming. The water was frigid so it was great entertainment to see kids jump in the pool and come pop up out of the water screaming. Chaney was in the pool the longest and had a hard time warming up. As I sat on the side of the pool, I thought about the need to update this site sooner rather than later. I wanted to make note of the other black children I saw around the pool. Yet, the adults that were there with the children were not black. They called out to the adults with the titles “uncle” and “aunt.”

Dinner

It was ridiculous how much food we cooked. My eldest son ate so much when he was in high school, that I still tend to cook for 10 instead of 6. That child could eat for several people. He’s now 20 and camps on his own with his friends. He’s in this phase where he wants to do everything he did with us; but not with us.

While we were out camping, he and his friends were at the house and decided to have a little get-together and built a fire. These boys went through Will’s entire wood pile and kindling. He needs to pay for the next delivery of wood!

Our neighbors came out for dinner. It’ always nice to have our friends come out. And, yes! We try to sale the camping experience. At this time, they have their hearts set on buying a boat. After dinner, we headed down to the stage for the live DJ. The entertainment the previous night was night before The Christopher Gerard Band. The bands that play at The Ridge are not the flavor we desire, but if that’s what’s playing; we’re game. But there’s only so much I can handle in one evening.

Our first trip was a success. We hope to one day possibly be seasonal campers at The Ridge. I love the owners, and the regulars are friendly. I’m sure that we’re the only black family that graces there presence all season, but that’s what makes our adventures great! That’s simple how we do it!

See Other Memorial Day 2015 Photos

Share your camping pictures with us!
Send to sonice37(at)gmail(dot)com and we’ll post them on this site!