Many of you know that I am not a camper (sometimes not even a happy camper – hahaha). That outdoorsy kinds of activities are just not my thing. Give me a plush hotel any day and I am quite agreeable. But camping? overnight? for a full weekend? How was I ever going to manage?

A few months ago, Jon got it into his head that since I went to Mozambique in the spring and handled that well, that I should (’should’ being the relative word here) be able to handle camping in the US. So he suggested it strongly to our friends in lifeSOURCE, and maybe I was just feeling sweet, I don’t know, somehow I said that I would go willingly and much to the surprise of many. All summer long we planned to go on a weekend outing, but it never really worked with schedules. Finally we saw an opportunity to do this camping thing the weekend of September 22nd-24th and we planned our getaway trip to Pokagon State Park.

Here’s a quick rundown of my experience: IT RAINED!!!! and there was lightning and thunderstorms throughout the weekend!!!! Did I mention, IT RAINED!!!! Actually it was mostly light rain in the daytime and the heavier stuff at night, so that was bearable. Though I’m sure I would have enjoyed it even more without the RAIN.

I don’t need to go into the details of what we did out in the woods of Pokagon, since most people know what goes on and doesn’t go on during camping. For the most part, we ate, we sat around, we ate some more, we sat around again, and we ate even more. For 2 nights we slept in semi-leaky tents (no serious puddles or waterfalls thankfully).

I have to confess though, Jon & I slept in the Explorer the first night since the leaks our tent was experiencing needed more time and daylight to address. But I was ever so thankful for our Explorer and our queen-size air mattress the following night.

Will I ever go again? I will not say “No.” But it’s highly unlikely that I would go again anytime soon. or that Jon & I would go alone. It’s just too much work to camp. Or so it seemed anyway.

Most of you have come to my blog to see photos and hear about Vern & Melissa’s wedding. After all, that was the whole reason for us driving 9 hours to Minneapolis, and here I have made you wait for 3 posts. This weekend was the first Jon & I had gotten away in awhile, and so it was a serious little vacation for us. (Our BIG vacation will come at the end of October – Florida here we come!)

They chose the historic quaint town of Stillwater, Minnesota as the backdrop to their wedding photos and a place for guests to stroll around before boarding the riverboat. After driving 45 minutes northeast of Minneapolis, we could see why they chose to host their wedding in this beautiful place.The local courthouse proved to be the perfect location to take their wedding party pictures. We decided we needed to seize the opportunity of a gorgeous backdrop for some of our own photos. Can you see the river just pass the tree line? I’m almost positive a sunshiney day would have made the view even more amazing.

The paddlewheel boat provided by Andiamo Showboats, was ideal for a wedding to remember. Unfortunately, the rainy weather prevented an outdoor ceremony of the top level of the riverboat Empress, but with some quick thinking and speedy hands, the lower level was re-arranged to host the guests and the wedding as we embarked on the Cook-Schrock Wedding along the St. Croix River. Vern & Melissa were married in a lovely ceremony by their pastor from Pensacola, Florida, Bobby Lepinay. Despite the uncooperative wet weather outside, the fun of the festivities in the riverboat made our journey well worth the trip.

One of my highlights was Jon dancing, and not only with me when he was supposed to, but during other moments of merriment. I think he danced more with Lamar & Jeanna than with me! and that was perfectly ok with me, since watching him and laughing at their pure enjoyment was all I really needed.

We disembarked from the riverboat close to 10:30 pm after helping clear the boat of the decorations and presents, and said our goodbyes and blessings to the happily married couple.

Monday morning seemed to pass us by as we recuperated from all the excitement and fun of the previous day’s activities – we didn’t check out of our hotel until noon! So our long journey back to Goshen was non-eventful, but we were all glad that we had the opportunity to celebrate with our friend as he committed himself to his lovely bride for as long as they both shall live…