Hi everyone, here is our 3rd camping experience so far.  We went to Watkins Mill State Park in Missouri.
It is located about an hours drive from Kansas City.  A very family oriented campground.  We arrived on Thursday evening to find just a few campers.  But by 12pm Friday evening the campground was full with no vacancies. 

Our first afternoon there was busy getting our camp set up.  We were expecting some friends to stop by for dinner as it was Dave's birthday.We were a little rushed since we didn't arrive until around three pm and Gary and Sharon were to arrive around 5.  All was well and camp was ready when they arrived.

  We decorated the camper with our flag in honor of 911.  Still very sad to remember all those who were lost that day.

Sharon and Gary arrived and Dave was trying to get the fire started with little luck.  We had no kindling.  Gary was kind enough to offer to go to his place to get some, since they lived close by.  We took him up on the offer.  I am happy we did because we got to see their beautiful place.  By the time we arrived back at camp it was getting dark.  Dave was successful getting the fire started with the wood from Gary and Sharon.
Just as we were finishing our dinner it started lightening and thundering in the distance.  We thought the storms were going around us so we settled in around the fire pit.  I would say with in 15 minutes a big flash of lightening ended our outdoor camp experience in a hurry.  Gary and Sharon headed home and Dave and I started covering up items out doors.  It started raining and I mean it rained hard.  The wind was blowing somewhat but no enough at that time to cause concern.  Around midnight we heard this big thump on the roof of the camper.  Since it was storming Dave and I thought it was limbs falling from the trees.  I got a little scared and asked Dave to take us up to the shower house for shelter.  It was pouring down and we were soaked when we reached the car.  The rain let up a little so we returned to the camper to find that it wasn't limbs falling out of trees but that our canopy had been blown on top of our camper with the legs standing straight up.

Not much we could do until the next morning.  So around 1am the rain and storming finally stopped and we were able to get some sleep.  As you can see we had quite a mess. The next morning after cleaning everything up I cooked us a very nice breakfast of sausage, eggs, hash browns and pancakes.  Tasted really good.

Friday after noon we went to the visitors center at Watkins Mill.  Looked around a little and confirmed that on Saturday they were still having the music festival.  Returned to our camp and took a well deserved nap and took it easy the rest of the afternoon.  Dave started our fire around five o'clock and grilled corn and zucchini and chicken for dinner. After dinner we enjoyed the fire and hit the sack around 10 o'clock.

The last two pictures above were of miniature boats racing on a lake near Watkins Mill on Friday.
  I hope the video came through of the boats.

On Saturday we got up pretty early and had coffee and muffins for breakfast.  Pretty chili so we stayed in the camper.  The music festival was scheduled to start around 12:00pm so we headed over around 11:30am.  We had a little ways to walk but enjoyed it as the weather was crisp and the sky was mostly clear.  As we approached the Watkins home the music had started so Dave set up his chair and I took a seat on a hay bale.  It was very nice to sit and take in the surroundings, the house, the mill, the out houses, and the beautiful scenery of flowers and trees.  On the front porch individuals played music while on the back porch they were having a jam session where anyone could join in.  The next pictures you will see are what we took while at the music festival.  The attendance was minimal but I think those who attended were pleased.

So then we were ready to head out for lunch in Kearney and took the walk back down the path to the visitor center.  The next pictures you will see are along that path.  Enjoy!!

Saturday afternoon we had a late lunch in Kearney at Stables.  My wrap was good and Dave's Tenderloin was good also.  We returned to camp after doing a little sightseeing in the area for naps once again.
The evening was filled with a fire and listening to the Royals play on the radio.
Sunday morning we were up early for coffee and donuts.  Packed up camp and made it home for the second half of the Chiefs football game. 

Watkins Mill State Park is a nice campground with a lake that has a path all the way around.  You can fish if you like.  They also have a beach in the summer.  The mill is available for tours.  Just stop at the desk in the visitor center and they have all the information.

If you have a family with children I would suggest this campground for you on the weekends.  If you are looking for a more subdued atmosphere I suggest going here during the week days, Monday-Thursday.
We had a great time on our trip the bathrooms are clean and they have individual shower rooms.

I hope you enjoyed this blog today.  Come back again!  Our next trip takes us to Winterset, IA. to see the Bridges of Madison County.  If you recall, Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood starred in the Movie entitled:
The Bridges of Madison County. 

Until we meet again,
Happy Camping