The Smuteks Go Camping | Rocky Gap State Park

Posted on Aug 27, 2015 in The Smuteks | 8 Comments

Lake Habeeb Rocky GapUsually, our little family tends to take vacations to the beach. We like the sun, sand and waves and we *really* like hotels with crisp sheets and an excuse to eat out for every meal. These vacations are always fun and we enjoy shuffling from restaurant to activity to restaurant again. This year, however, I managed to convince my family to take our vacation… camping. No crisp sheets, no restaurants, and *gasp* no TV or internet.

As a kid, I grew up camping, fishing, boating, hiking and doing pretty much anything that involved being outside. Even when the weather was poor, my dad would load us kids in the truck and take us for a ride through Loch Raven. Being outdoors was something I always loved and envisioned sharing with my family when I grew up.

Then, I met my husband, fell in love, established myself as a photographer in Baltimore, and took on the city life. My husband is not much of an outdoorsman, and so we had never gone camping- ever– in the 15 years that we have been together. Last year, friends of ours invited us to PA for a trip to Knoebels Amusement Park and I shared about the trip in my end of summer blog. So, last year, we dipped our toes into camping a bit, as we stayed in a cabin and built a fire each night to roast some marshmallows. However, it didn’t really feel like camping. After all, once we woke up, we showered and hit the amusement park for fun, rides and restaurant food. Plus, the campsite was rather crowded and we were all together in a cul de sac style campground. It was hardly remote or “roughing it” in the woods.

This year, it was off to Rocky Gap State Park- my favorite place to camp as a kid. Between Lake Habeeb & the different camping loops and hiking trails, it is the perfect place to camp with kids. It turned out, that once we got to Rocky Gap State Park, we had NO internet at all- not even on our phones! So, our little family was able to truly spend 4 days together- laughing, cooking, eating, exploring, playing and simply enjoying each other, with no electronic distractions.

The Smuteks Go Camping | Rocky Gap State Park

One of the things that would get me most excited about going camping, was when we would drive through the mountain, on our way to the campground!Baltimore_wedding_photographer-102 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-103Once we arrived, us novice campers worked quickly to set up campBaltimore_wedding_photographer-106… and the hammock. #CityCamperFail Baltimore_wedding_photographer-105This was also the first time we had taken any of our pets on vacation. As it turns out… Ernie LOVES camping!Baltimore_wedding_photographer-107We spent the first night just hanging around the campground and getting the fire going, but the next day we headed to Lake Habeeb for a fun day in the sun! Check out this awesome iPhone panorama! Lake Habeeb Rocky Gap Baltimore_wedding_photographer-108 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-110 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-113 Lake Habeeb Baltimore_wedding_photographer-117 Rocky gap state park campingNothing is better than a family camping selfie!Baltimore_wedding_photographer-120 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-121And, my dad came up for the night… and fixed the hammock. Thanks, Dad!!!!!relaxing in a hammockSimon is on a HUGE Spider-Man kick and he loved being in his “web bed”Baltimore_wedding_photographer-172 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-174Baltimore_wedding_photographer-177 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-178The next day… well, the next day it POURED. But, the Smuteks aren’t ones to get a little rain get us down. We had the best fun, playing in the rain and just being with each other. Also- SO glad we opted for the cabin with the porch, over a tent!cabins at rocky gap state parkcamping at rocky gap state parkBaltimore_wedding_photographer-122 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-123 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-124Baltimore_wedding_photographer-183 Once back on the porch and out of wet clothes, we opted to binge on Oreos. Because vacation. Baltimore_wedding_photographer-130And more selfiesBaltimore_wedding_photographer-127As I mentioned earlier this week, I finally upgraded my macro lens and it came just in time for me to check it out on our camping trip! I’m not much of a nature photographer, so it was a lot of fun to step outside of my comfort zone and take some images of the beautiful things around me.rocky gap state park in the rain burnt fire wood rocky gap state park in the rain Nikon 105 mm micro lens Nikon 105 mm micro lens Nikon 105 mm micro lens Nikon 105 mm micro lens Nikon 105 mm micro lens Nikon 105 mm micro lens Baltimore_wedding_photographer-150Simon got a little bored, so we got him a bag of ice. This *may* have been the highlight of his trip! He had a blast throwing and eating the ice. Plus, our still-rear-facing-in-a-five-point-harness five year old, got to ride up front with Daddy, for the ice run!Baltimore_wedding_photographer-167 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-169Baltimore_wedding_photographer-163Once the rain quieted down a little bit, my Dad got the fire going again and Simon and I made our way to the hammock.Baltimore_wedding_photographer-170 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-181 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-179That night, Simon had some fun hanging in the cabin. There is nothing more fun than a little boy!cabins at rocky gap state parkcabins at rocky gap state parkThe next day was still a little wet, but not so much that we couldn’t have a little adventure. Ernie and I set out first, to see what we could find, and then went back to the campsite to get the boys. We had a great time exploring Rocky Gap and I just loved watching our boy and his dog on their big adventure!Baltimore_wedding_photographer-184 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-189 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-190 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-191 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-193 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-196 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-199 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-200Once back at the campsite, I made dinner and Simon made “Marshmallow, pretzel soup”. He was pretty proud of himself!Baltimore_wedding_photographer-202 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-204 Baltimore_wedding_photographer-206The first few days, Simon was not a big fan of camping. He missed his TV and his video games and wasn’t a fan of the bugs. I was a little sad, at first, because I wanted him to enjoy camping the way I did, as a kid… playing in the mud and finding frogs and turtles to play with. Well, he finally warmed up to this whole “unplugged” vacation and then we found a newt!finding a newt finding a newt finding a newt finding a newt finding a newt finding a newtErnie is starting to get up in age, and while he enjoyed all of our adventures, I think is favorite was simply curling up by the fire and enjoying his time out in nature. Baltimore_wedding_photographer-216Overall, even with the rough start, we had a blast on our camping trip and I can’t wait to go again next year!

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8 Comments

  1. Natalie
    August 27, 2015

    This looks like such a fun family trip! I’ve always wanted to go camping!

    Reply
  2. Melissa
    August 27, 2015

    I went camping at Rocky Gap growing up for many years so this place holds a special place in my heart! I love camping and these photos make me excited to take my two kids one day. Thanks for bringing back the fun childhood memories!

    Reply
  3. Renee
    August 27, 2015

    Wow- such a beautiful park! So glad you got to enjoy a camping trip!

    Reply
  4. Lauren R Swann
    August 27, 2015

    What a fun trip and the perfect stack of family memories… I love that you captured it, too!

    Reply
  5. Alicia Wiley
    August 27, 2015

    Looks like so much fun! Love that tiny little cabin :)

    Reply
  6. Shalene
    August 30, 2015

    Well, now you’ve gone and made me want to go hang out in a hammock and play with lizards. haha ;)

    Reply
  7. The Smuteks Go Camping | Rocky Gap State Park | smutek dot ninja
    August 31, 2015

    […] Jennifer published this fantastic post and spectacular series of images documenting our recent campi… […]

    Reply
  8. Jennifer Smutek Photography Smutek Family Fun | Maryland Photographer
    July 5, 2016

    […] I’ve been able to convince my husband to do just that. We took our first “real” camping trip last year and it was a smashing success. So this year, we headed back to Rocky Gap State Park for […]

    Reply

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