Hea' Dover Heels for Camping

Last weekend we had the awesome chance to take our first camping trip together as a married couple! We bought a tent earlier in the spring and have been gradually stocking up on gear, so last Friday the time finally came to book a site. We chose Cedar Lake Campground in Dover, PA (hence the title of this post). Unfortunately, the trip did not start out great--at least for me. The traffic getting out of Philadelphia was awful, and a trip that should have taken us a little over two hours took four or better. We left home around 4pm, and after a stop at Walmart and a fine beverage vendor we were able to set up camp by just after 9pm, in the dark. We bought some firewood but were expecting to be able to also purchase a fire starter (we did not have any paper). But it was so late that the camp store was closed, so we were SOL. Thankfully, after making a fool of myself for awhile a neighbor took pity and started our fire for us! So we could finally turn off the headlights, finish setting up, and make supper (after 10pm at this point)! The weather was mercifully beautiful and cool, and the bugs did not bother us that night.

The next day, Saturday, we were able to completely turn around the misery of the drive to Dover: the weather remained sunny and warm, but not hot, the bugs stayed away, and relaxation came easily. We spent the day walking around the campground and gawking at the seasonal trailer residences, reading (for fun--first time for me in a dog's age), cooking over the fire, and watching fishermen; our site was on the edge of a private pond where campers can fish, and they do pretty well! On Sunday we cleaned and packed up our gear and were out of the campground before noon, to give Danielle enough time to write a paper that was due Sunday afternoon.  

I think that is everything I want to write about our trip. Danielle might have a better memory and want to add some things, but for now at least here are a bunch of pictures with descriptions:

Our site from the pond's edge, complete with our adorable "His and Hers" chairs (they are not actually a set)

Right across the lake from us was a "petting zoo," complete with two awesome goats! I think the gray one noticed Danielle snooping.

Our tent with our sandals in front, proving we were there I guess. 

Another picture of the petting zoo across the lake, but zoomed out for better context: isn't the campground beautiful!?

This is the view from our site looking the opposite direction of the petting zoo: the fountain provided great ambient noise for sleeping.

These birds were frequent visitors to our site, and there is a third one not in this shot. They were a little too bold for my tastes, but neat: plus the two white ones wiggled their tails in a pretty awesome way.

This is a view of ALMOST the full lake from the bridge to the petting zoo; our site is just visible on the right.

Obviously: me with the goats. 

A pond across the road from the "lake" had huge patches of what I guess were lily pads, with these beautiful flowers.

Danielle had to lay on her belly to get this cool shot of the patch, encompassing the full spectrum of bloom.