Christmas In Our Tiny Camper

This year for Christmas we promised ourselves to keep it simple and truly enjoy all the Christmas magic. We decorated a tree with our special glitter pinecones and small twinkly lights. It was so perfect! The weather in Kentucky was unseasonably warm, and we took full advantage. We dropped everything and headed to one of our favorite places to hike., Shanty Hollow Lake. We had the most wonderful time exploring, climbing, and just being together outside in nature. We are always reminded that it is not how big the adventure or how far you go, but how present you are with the people you love. These precious moments will always be cherished and forever ingrained in our hearts. We are beyond grateful for this beautiful life we are co-creating. On Christmas Day, the kids woke up to gifts Santa had left. They truly were so excited and grateful. Marshall and I would look at each other and tear up because we were so overjoyed by the gift of our family. It has been a wonderful holiday season!

Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!

All our love, The Carter Crew

Marshall, Whitney, Pleas, Nace, Della, Ophelia + Irene

P.S. wish you were here!

Helpful Links

Twinkle lights: https://amzn.to/2CxGiX6

Glitter: https://amzn.to/2RewiKb

Spray adhesive: https://amzn.to/2RewiKb

A Minimalist Kentucky Christmas

Living in a 250 Square feet has taught us to really value the outdoors and what it has to offer. For Christmas decor this year, we knew we wanted to decorate and get in the spirit, but we didn't want to buy a bunch of things only to throw them away right after Christmas.

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Augusta, Georgia

We had such a great time in Georgia! We got to see cotton growing in the fields for the first time. It’s really crazy the things we never even think about, until we experience it. We spent most of our time in Augusta, and camped outside of Augusta at Mistletoe State Park. Mistletoe State Park is located on Clark’s Hill Lake. It’s a beautiful lake with a reputation for bass fishing and also a wonderful shoreline for lots of rock skipping. Camping under the Georgia pines was an experience none of us will forget. We were in Augusta in October, so the timing was perfect for North Augusta’s, Jack O Lantern Jubilee. The kids were beside themselves! Who can resit all the fun rides, live music, and the food. We all had a wonderful time and recommend Georgia as your next family vacation.

Georgia you will always be on our minds!

All our love,
The Carter Crew
Marshall, Whitney, Pleas, Nace, Della, Ophelia + Irene

P.S. wish you were here!

Helpful Links

Mistletoe Sate Park: https://gastateparks.org/Mistletoe

Jack O Lantern Jubilee: https://www.jackolanternjubilee.com

Visit Augusta, GA: https://www.visitaugusta.com

Explore Georgia: https://www.exploregeorgia.org

Gear We used on this trip

Inflatable Boat: https://amzn.to/2NzgbpG

Backpack Kid Carrier: https://amzn.to/2p6vVC4

Kids Hydration Backpacks: https://amzn.to/2QsAh2H

Adult Hydration Backpacks: https://amzn.to/2QmvyQ9

Tote Tank: https://amzn.to/2Qz3gSw

Highchair: https://amzn.to/2xc6QKo

Bike Carrier: https://amzn.to/2xmgERh

Bumble Ride Stroller: https://amzn.to/2DrI8ey

Girl’s Clothes

Matilda Jane

Song: Georgia on My Mind By Anita O'Day, Gene Krupa & His Orchestra: https://amzn.to/2xuaOOz

 
 

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Greenville, South Carolina

We are not super big planners. We love to be spontaneous and go with the flow, and sometimes that means we miss out on some really cool things, but not this time. We truly lucked out when we booked our campsite in Greenville, South Carolina at Paris Mountain State Park. Paris Mountain is a wonderful State Park right in Greenville, and we arrived just in time for Artisphere! Artisphere is an annual, three-day event that celebrates the arts and the area’s rich international and multicultural flair. It’s an event showcasing fine art, music, food, and fun. One of our favorite exhibits was an event called “Art In Action”. Artist Brian Olsen, speed paints a masterpiece choreographed to music on a beautiful stage located in the Reedy River Falls Park. He was phenomenal and the show was nothing short of spectacular! There is nothing more wonderful than seeing someone living their passion. Artisphere is a great event for the whole family, and the best part, is that it’s totally FREE!

Reedy River Falls Park, in downtown Greenville is amazing! It is a beautiful place to visit even if there is nothing going on. We had several picnics there during our stay in Greenville. We also had a chance to visit the Farmer’s Market which was full of lots of local produce and all different varieties of homemade goods. The Children’s Museum and the Greenville Zoo were also a big hit with our whole family.

Paris Mountain State Park has so much to offer. They rent pedal boats, canoe and kayak rentals, hiking and biking trails, fishing and also swimming. We really loved this campground. The boys enjoyed hitting up the biking trails, and we all enjoyed the water activities.

Greenville stole our hearts!

All our love,
The Carter Crew
Marshall, Whitney, Pleas, Nace, Della, Ophelia + Irene

P.S. wish you were here!

Helpful Links

Visit Greenville, SC: https://www.visitgreenvillesc.com

Artisphere: https://artisphere.org

Paris Mountain State Park: https://southcarolinaparks.com/paris-mountain

Brian Olsen, “Art In Action”: https://brianolsenart.com

Greenville Farmers Market: https://saturdaymarketlive.com

Gear We Used on this Trip

Tote Tank: https://amzn.to/2Qz3gSw

Backpack Kid Carrier: https://amzn.to/2p6vVC4

Highchair: https://amzn.to/2xc6QKo

Hammock: https://amzn.to/2MutOBb

Kids Hydration Backpacks: https://amzn.to/2QsAh2H

Adult Hydration Backpacks: https://amzn.to/2QmvyQ9

Bike Carrier: https://amzn.to/2xmgERh

Clothing

Matilda Jane

 

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Camping In Arizona With Kids

We Know that we say this every time, about everywhere we’ve traveled, but it’s just really true! Each place has its own beauty and uniqueness. Arizona’s desert’s truly stole our hearts. We were nervous about being in Arizona during peak snow bird season, and not being able to find a campsite. We had called around and found that a lot of the RV Parks were booked up for months, and there were also several that would not allow children. Many of them are geared toward senior citizens. So, we knew we had to be prepared to be flexible and be able to adapt to change. We made sure we got our generator ready to go in case we would not have electricity, and ordered water storage containers so that we could haul in water, in the event we had no hookups. Well, we sure are glad we were prepared, because we could not find a site anywhere with hookups. We dry camped in Arizona’s gorgeous deserts with no water or electricity for 2 months! We can’t even believe we are saying this! We really up until this point had done short stints of dry camping, but nothing this long. We honestly were worried about it at first, but it turned out to be one of our most memorable trips.

We ran the generator to power the refrigerator and charge our electronics for a couple of hours during the day. It was so amazing, because when the sun went down, so did we. It gave us lots of time to chill around a campfire and just truly enjoy each other under the beautiful desert skies. Never in our lives had we seen such a clear night sky so uninhibited. The Stars! Amazing! We loved having 2 months to really just slow down. Being out in the middle of nowhere, sometimes feels very refreshing.

During the day, we rode bikes, hiked, and had so much fun getting to know the desert wildlife and terrain. The wild burros were our pets! We really can’t say enough about how this trip has changed our perspective and also shown us that we are capable of doing hard things. Thank you Arizona for the priceless memories.

All our love,
The Carter Crew
Marshall, Whitney, Pleas, Nace, Della, Ophelia + Irene

P.S. wish you were here!

Campsites

Lake Pleasant Regional Park: https://maricopacountyparks.org/lake-pleasant

Painted Rock Petroglyph Site: https://www.blm.gov/visit/painted-rock-petroglyph-site

Gear Used on this trip

Backpack Kid Carrier: https://amzn.to/2p6vVC4

Kids Hydration Backpacks: https://amzn.to/2QsAh2H

Adult Hydration Backpacks: https://amzn.to/2QmvyQ9

Honda Generator: https://amzn.to/2Qt7QBz

Water Storage Containers: https://amzn.to/2QqosKp

Tote Tank: https://amzn.to/2Qz3gSw

Highchair: https://amzn.to/2xc6QKo

Bike Carrier: https://amzn.to/2xmgERh

Song: Chandler Children's Choir Summer Camp Music Video 2017
I Love You, Arizona
Official Arizona State Song, by Rex Allen, Jr., arr. Aimee Stewart
Performed by Chandler Children's Choir Directed by Aimee Stewart Soloist Hannah Andrews Accompanied by Dr. Jeremy Peterman Recorded at Grand Canyon University Recording Studio Sound Engineer: John McJunkin Mixed and mastered by: Bill Hare Video by Dominic Ross and Amanda Mahan at Sound & Vision Motion Picture Company Special thanks to Compass Christian Church, CCC Board

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Paradise Point Marketplace

We love Kentucky!  It's our hometown, and yes, we are super partial, but we think you'll love it too.  Kentucky is beautiful, green, and full of southern charm.  If you are road tripping through, or looking for a getaway, we have to tell you about one of our favorite places in the whole state.  Paradise Point is a small, Mom + Pop, ultra hip oasis in Scottsville, KY.  it's one of a kind, and we think it's one of the happiest places in the U.S.  It is located minutes from Barren River Lake, and not far from Bowling Green. Paradise Point is not just a another food joint or place to buy funky junk.  It's a destination all in itself.  It's so much fun for our whole family.  The cowboy casserole and swanky sweets are to die for!  The kids love the soft serve ice cream, and as parents, we can actually relax and enjoy ourselves, because the whole place is kid friendly and super laid back and chill.  John + Sebrina have really put a lot of thought and intention into making your time there enjoyable.  They both love what they do, and it shows!  Their love and happiness radiates and their fun loving, eccentric, hip vibes are just what the doctor ordered.  We always leave with a great big smile on our faces. 

All our love,
The Carter Crew
Marshall, Whitney, Pleas, Nace, Della, Ophelia + Irene

P.S. wish you were here!

Helpful Links

Paradise Point Marketplace
9530 New Glasgow Rd. 
Scottsville, KY 42164

www.paradisepointky.com

Clothing in this video
Matilda Jane Clothinghttps://www.matildajaneclothing.com/Pws/AshleyKerrick/eventstore418550/AM/default.aspx

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Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

We have died and gone to heaven!  Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, has got to be one of the most beautiful places we have ever laid our eyes on.  The beautiful white quartz sand dunes are incredible.  The beaches are secluded and the water is clear and calm. 

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New Orleans With 5 Kids + A Camper

Louisiana was fantastic!  We were all excited to see new territory and explore a new state.  The first night we chose to stay outside of New Orleans in a town called Slidell.  We camped at a Wildlife Management Area Called Crawford Landing.  It was perfect, and free!  We loved hanging out below the beautiful Spanish moss. 

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