Category: Camping

The Yurt Life

Posted on by Troy Jackson

 

yurt (noun) – a circular tent of felt or skins on a collapsible framework, used by nomads in Mongolia, Siberia, and Turkey (or Geneseo)

As we await another summer reservation at “The Yurt,” let’s look back at last summer’s nomadic, family adventure. For a family that has spent all our camping trips in a tent or two, the prospect of “glamping” in a yurt seemed quite appealing. Even better, we didn’t have to travel to Mongolia. Instead, we trekked a whole 15.8 miles from the crib to the yurt. Now, that’s my kind of trip. Less time driving and more time living large like a spoiled Mongol (air conditioning, microwave, mini-fridge, bunkbeds…).

 

Not only was the yurt a hit (although the air conditioner gave out) but we kept plenty busy with outdoor activities. The list included a canoe ride, fishing, pedaling surrey carts, cooling off in a sprinkler pad, smores, burning stuff in a fire pit and hiking.

A fun time was had by all, including Daniel Tiger who was a stowaway. His presence made for an entertaining bit of hide and seek as each finder would stash him away in a new location.

The plan is to do it again this summer. Perhaps Daniel Tiger will tag along and maybe bring a friend or two.

Stay tuned as I intend to post the new adventure in a bit timelier fashion than a year later. Talk to you later. Troy

Friday Flashback – June 3-5, 2016

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Today, I am taking the easy way out and letting the pictures do the talking. The slideshow below looks back at a June 2016 family camping/fishing trip to Little John Conservation Club. We’re hoping to do more of both activities this year as the last few years our outings have been a bit sparse. Stay tuned on that project but for now enjoy some fish, family, and fun from five years ago this week. Talk to you later. Troy

Camping Report – Little John

Posted on by Troy Jackson

Last weekend, the family got out for our first camping trip of the year selecting Little John Conservation Club near Victoria, IL as our destination.  On Monday we had committed to the trip, by Thursday a call for thunderstorms prompted us to call it off in favor of a day trip closer to home, by Friday lunchtime we’d changed our minds yet again as the forecast had taken a favorable turn and off we went.  What follows is a sort of chronological photo essay of some of the adventure.

June 2 – 7:33pm Arrival and my man, Jayce, still finds it fun to volunteer for gate duty

8:28pm First catch of the trip and Carly’s first ever crappie

9:11pm Last catch of the night for my young diehard angler

June 3 – 5:49am First catch of a new day for the old diehard angler

8:47am Omelet in a bag in the works

9:23am Happy camper with her finished product

9:25am Boys testing out/potentially destroying my Boga Grip fish lipper

9:27am Sleeping Beauty (aka Helena) emerges from our lodging

10:12am First fish (have to look closely) on a boat ride 

10:45am Little brother, Zac, outdoes his big brother with a barely less small catch

11:33am As seen on Facebook, “Tarzan” with a little help from his sister

4:25pm Headed home early due to crazy weather, a short but enjoyable outing

Well, roughly 21 hours gate to gate for this weather shortened trip.  Things were looking good at about 1:00pm on Saturday as we headed to the pool in Galva with the iPhone weather app showing not a storm in sight.  After two separate rumbles of thunder made for the “everybody out” call at the pool a pair of times, the decision was made to head back to camp.

Unfortunately, in the direction of our destination there were very ominous skies and you could see the rain against parts of the backdrop.  We got an up-close look on the drive as it was raining so hard you could barely see.  But somehow or another, Little John was bone dry, tucked into a pocket of decent weather although the temp had dropped from the upper 80’s to the mid 60’s in no time at all.  Some dark skies and occasional thunder left us counting our blessings and packing for home figuring we’d gotten very lucky to not be rolling up a saturated tent and sleeping bags.

Not sure if it stormed any more but we were content with the abbreviated adventure…and dry.  Overall, a fun “day trip” and pretty cool how well this bunch gets along out there in the wild.  Upon returning home, however, they were fighting over a Wii game in no time.  Simply siblings but a ringing endorsement for getting them outside.  Talk to you later.  Troy