Rain, Rapids, & Pudgie Pies?

This weekend was Copperfest here in Ococnto. Its a weekend festival with rides, music, a parade, and fireworks. The perfect activity to stimulate the overactive minds of a 5 and 3 year old. But Chelsea and Clayton were spending the weekend with their dad so Erin and I decided to forgo the throng of party-goers. We had tried out our newly purchased pop-up camper in the driveway but it needed a true test. This was the perfect opportunity. 

Camping in general was a loathsome activity for me. It is much hotter and far shadier in Oklahoma and the interpretations of what is fun and relaxing always differed for me and my friends. Wisconsin definitely provides a more scenic experience that requires less sunblock and alcohol to enjoy. 

As soon as the kids were picked up on Friday we loaded up and headed out. Chute Pond was our destination.

Camp Choate

 We arrived early evening Friday and make quick work of settling in. The campgrounds were nice but we ending up in probably the least secluded area. There were plenty of trails to walk though with great views of the lake.

Very peaceful.

The dam.

Oconto River down from the dam.

After our portable grill started to give us some trouble we decided to throw our beer boiled brats on our backup hot plate. The entire camper smelled amazing afterwards.

The rain came in and we had to retreat inside for most of the evening. The rain is never a problem for us though. We can talk for hours and that's just what we did. We managed to get showers in and snuggled up to drift off to sleep listening to the raindrops falling through the trees.

Saturday morning breakfast was bacon cooked over the campfire, served on toasted bagels. It was little bit of a hassle but very delicious. It was still sprinkling on and off so we decided to head up the highway for the morning and hit some cute little tourist trap shops in Lakewood. The sun was starting to poke out of the clouds just a little by the time lunch rolled around and Erin insisted we try this little diner that her family used to stop by when they went camping in her childhood. 

It was tiny but very good and just the boost we needed before heading over to check out Bagley Rapids in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

Very serene.

Biscuit loves to sniff ahead of us. She thinks she knows where we're going.

Erin enjoying the view and some coffee.

Some of the rapids.

After our nice little hike we headed back to our camp site for the day. We managed to get a short nap in despite the noise of other campers around us. When we got up we were a little snacky so we busted out some chips and salsa. We had grabbed these in a winery that we stopped by that morning. One chip and it was clear there was something seriously wrong. It was beyond stale. Look for the expiration date on the bag.

Did you find it? Yeah.... Those chips were nearly as old as Clayton, and we ate a couple. BLAH!

After that debacle it was dinner time and I was about to be introduced to a northern experience: Pudgie Pies.

You butter bread and put one slice on each side of the cooker. Then fill with whatever your heart desires. We made pizza pudgie pies with mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni.

Cooked a few minutes on each side. 

Golden brown perfection.

Gotta say I'm a fan of these campfire hot pockets, especially when they are enjoyed with a couple beers.

Saturday night and Sunday morning brought more rain so we slept in late. We packed up, cleaned our campsite, and un-poped the pop-up. As we were headed back to town Erin got a message that we could pick up the kids. It was only slightly out of our way and really worked out well. Just a few miles north of where they were is another great hiking spot: Dave's Falls. So we picked up the kids and headed for one more little adventure. 

The "biggest rock" Clayton has ever seen.

The rapids were a little more intense than Bagley Rapids and the hiking trails were certainly more rugged. We were all in flip flops which made it even harder but somehow we made it. Can't wait to go back when we are a little more prepared.

Sandwiches and strawberries out of the back of the car. 

The kids and Biscuit passed out after about 10 minutes on the highway. The perfect end to an amazing camping trip.