The Society

We are proud members of the "Hill Country Camping Society," or "THE SOCIETY" for insiders. Its founder and acting president is our friend Trey (of Laity Lodge fame). The Society puts on a monthly camping trip somewhere in Central Texas and members can take part in as many trips as the like. And let me just say that this is my kind of camping--mansion tents, air mattresses, gormet food prepared by men using dutch ovens, kids painting rocks and generally running wild. :)

This was our first outing with the Society--we went to Inks Lake State Park with two other families--the Tulls (as in Trey) and the Other Mezgers (or Mukes, as many of us fondly call them--think: Mel/Luke). Luke was the "Camp Master" for this month's trip and he did a great job coordinating everything.

Two brothers and the Coleman stove they grew up using.
The Society's youngest member, Rebecca Salem. She and I ended up having a rough night of sleep (which had little to nothing to do with camping), but prior to that, she had been unanimously voted the "Camper of the Day" in true Buckner fashion. Seriously--for less than 4 months old, she was such a trooper! We think she actually enjoyed it!

Owen and Bailey helped Kyle put our massive family tent up. This is a far cry from the cut-your-toothbrush-in-half-to-save-an-ounce light-weight bare-bones camping/backpacking that Kyle loves. Did I mention there are bathrooms? :)
I think I posted that Kyle and Owen did a trial run sleeping in a tent in Luke's backyard a few weeks ago, however, Owen still refused to sleep in his sleeping bag. Everything else went great, but we're going to have to keep working on that. The funny thing is, he probably got the best night's sleep of the four of us!
Sweet Rebecca and I all bundled up in front of the fire. The kids did such a great job not messing w/ the fire and making s'mores.
Our crazy schedule means it may be a few months before we get to make it out with The Society again, but it was a great first outing!