Dash and Smash Pumpkins: Lessons learned from Season One

If we had to describe the event in just one word that word would be Fun.  Everyone was able to do this activity- dads, moms and kids. A shy three year old clapped her hands as she watched her pumpkin race down the track. One pumpkin was chucked more than 100 feet into the woods. Most cool was when the pumpkins actually hit the distance markers- who knew the sling shot could be aimed that well? 

Thanks so much to People South Bank for help in sponsoring the event. Thanks to Lakeside School for the great write up in the paper and the Eufaula High School Robitic's team for submitting pictures. Thanks to all the students  who made a hypothesis as to what the pumpkins would do on the track or in the air and for testing their theories on the course. Thanks to First Presbyterian Church Pumpkin Patch for use of their overly ripe pumpkins in the planning process and for providing Pumpkins the day of the event. We know the Presbyterian Children's Home will appreciate the support. Thanks to Backyard Orchard and Paradise Pumpkin Patch for highlighting the event as well. Thanks to our decorating contest winner Kylia Richardson for making such a great pumpkin in support of breast cancer awareness . 

Next year the plan is to decorate pumpkins on site the day of the event. We will have more targets in the field and prizes for hitting them. There will be at least one surprise activity added to build on this years success. We hope to see you all next October - the weekend before Halloween.

Welcome Autumn: Its time for a new season and new places to stay at the campground

One of Eufaula's long time residents told me that now that the summer heat is over I should prepare for some of the best weather in the country. "Enjoy these months" ,she said,"  they are special." It seems that many groups and organizations are gearing up for autumn. At the campground we are thinking about pumpkins, hunters, and  visitors from up north.

We have some new accommodations available to meet everyone's needs. We now have cabin for overnight stays in the retreat center. Its rustic on the outside and inviting on the inside. The porch faces the creek.

Our onsite motor home lets you check out the camper experience before making a big investment. Its great if your youngest is not yet ready to spend the night in a tent our your oldest wants more of the comforts of home. 

The campground loft is another alternative if you and your guests  need more room to spread out. Located above the campground office the space has table and chairs, a microwave and seating to sit and relax after a day in the woods or on the lake. 

We have a limited number of spots still available for longer term guests or winter residents. Surrounded by tall pines but still close to town and the community recreation center,  these spots are a great location for your winter retreat. Golf packages are available for full time and winter guests. 

Georgia On My Mind: Tailgating Game of the Week

The one thing about playing the Georgia Bulldogs -you can pretty much guarantee they will play hard and play to win.  They are ranked by some to go all the way this year. South Carolina has something to prove after a disappointing opener against Texas A and M. Coach Steve Spurrier is sure to have his team on high alert as they workout out the bugs that surfaced in the first game of the season. To the true SEC football fan, this is a game not to miss. The road to the national championship will go through one if not both of these teams this season. So what are you going to do about it Georgia Fans? There are never enough tickets for the away team.  Lets see how many folks we can bring to the campground this weekend to build on our tailgating success to date.

We have cornhole and College Game day. Some of the best outdoor cooks visit the campground on a regular basis. Enter the competition to win a prize for the best decorated campsite/ tailgating site. Bring your dog to cheer with UGA. Fish early and fish late - the game is at 2:30 central time. Lets set the bar high for SEC western division school fans.  

Still wonder why Lake Eufaula Campground is great place to tailgate? Consider these top ten reasons.

10. For the price of one ticket you and your neighbor can support your team and enjoy being outdoors.  

 9. If you tailgate in Alabama no one can ask you to do chores during halftime.

 8. Its more fun to be grilling in the company of friends.

 7. There are never enough tickets in good locations for the away team. 

 6. If your dog barks with UGA the neighbors won't complain. 

 5. The kids might get some exercise- they can swim in the pool, play tether ball or cast out your favorite fishing lure.

 4. You can do two of your favorite things- watch football and fish. I was going to say watch football and eat- your choice.

 3. There is discount for Georgia residents on the Georgia weekend. 

 2. Red and Black  can be fashion statement even when wearing a T shirt

And the number one reason to tailgate this weekend. Chances are the national championship will go through one or both of these teams at some point this season and as my Dad would say - It should be a good game. 

The Pool Always has a Few Leaves: Each season offers something new to explore

I never had a pool until we purchased this campground.  People would mention maintenance cost and concerns about unsupervised children but I never heard anyone really focus on the issue of leaves.  There are always a few leaves in our pool. No matter how hard I try and keep the pool clean chances are you will be swimming with several of the leaves from surrounding trees.  The pool is so much cleaner than the lake we rationalize. Its nice to sit in the shade when not swimming. These are just excuses for not having a pool robot to clean constantly or not wishing to remove the trees that grow close to the pool. I have a confession to make- I kind of like the leaves.

Like fishing cleaning the pool is an activity that prevents you from doing much else. I love catching the first few leaves in the net or diving deep to get the one large maple leaf that escaped the leaf catcher. Each part of the pool seems to have its own type of leaf collection. The rope captures floating brown leaves, there is one spot at the kiddy pool that makes a pile and the deep end fans out from what looks like a curved design. Now that its fall more leaves fall each day.  I wonder at what point it will be time to close the pool. Still when the weather is this warm and I see families enjoying the water it seems worth the work. Also when there are lots of leaves I get more in the net with each stroke. Of course when I get to swim the view I like best is straight up- blue skies framed by tall stately trees. Its part of swimming at a campground. 

I know that I like having falling leaves in the other parts of my life as well. They are little problems; little tasks that help me feel productive as I work my way down the long list of things to do. The leaves keep life interesting. Some are more challenging than others to deal with but in the end the lack of relative clutter makes the exercise of removing them most rewarding. Please come visit Lake Eufaula Campground this fall. The chores that are so routine at home make great family memories here. Soon the temperatures will fall and this  new season will be underway. Many activities will compete for your time. Our mission is to support individuals, relationships and the community by promoting the importance of quality leisure time and the opportunity to relax and enjoy the outdoors- even if its just a falling leaf. 

Fishing, Football and Fun: Tailgating at Lake Eufaula Campground

We all understand what tailgating is right? Arrive early to the big game, park near family and friends, make new friends, play corn hole, grill great tasting food, pile into the stadium to watch the game. Unless of course you don't have game tickets or the fish are biting or your friends can't come because there is a soccer game Saturday morning or the big game is at the opponent's field this weekend.  

I love football and in the past spent way too much time on some of the best days of autumn inside watching the games.  This fall the campground offers the best of both worlds. Fish in the morning and at dusk, take a break mid day to watch a game and catch up with the action after dark. Weather permitting the kids can still swim, there is time to enjoy the campfire and celebrate or reflect on the game's outcome or the fish that got away. 

Here is how it works. The feature games of the week will be playing in the common areas of the campground. You can also use your personal  satellite dish or WI FI computer stream to keep up with the action. If you and a bunch of friends just have to see Notre Dame play USC let us know when making your reservation.

If you are local or a day use camper we will assign you a spot with a picnic table, water and electricity. Two cars only per site please. Since site rates apply this is generally less expensive than day use for Lake Eufaula 

Campground amenities that include swimming, hiking and pond fishing. Don't forget to participate in our outdoor scavenger hunt. Reservations are strongly encouraged to make sure you have a site for set up. Please decorate your site and wear your favorite school colors -banners, flags,  covered canopies are great accents to the the park. Remember to bring a grill since these are not available on site. Ice, charcoal  and firewood will be on sale at the camp store.  

We do have a place for corn hole next to the tether ball and our new Football Bulletin Board at the pavilion will include news and updates about your favorite teams. Pick up a copy of next weeks games and share your predictions with us .  Win or loose SEC football is always exciting and this time of year is too nice to spend inside. 

Please note Campground Management can not be held responsible for the outcome of any games but when Auburn  plays Texas A&M  school colors and an occasional  Gig Em Aggies or  War Eagle may be heard from the campground office.