Camping at Myakka River State Park

This past weekend, we went camping at Myakka River State Park. We had a much more pleasant experience than our last planned camping trip, that got cancelled within an hour of being there because the mosquitos were so bad. We had a great weekend, survived the heat, and did not get too eaten up by bugs. 

Our new camping sign ... thank you Grandpa Joe!

Our little set up, with Scott resting. Our tent over the picnic table was a huge blessing. We enjoyed eating bug free!

We had a nice shaded site, with TONS of room. 

Scott took the girls canoeing ... I was not interested in going though. My anxiety about the alligators was way too much ... so I let them enjoy themselves without me!

The girls first canoe trip

Apparently, they did pretty well, but Riley got overheated and wanted to jump in the water. Thank you, Scott for not allowing her to do that!!!!

Our friends Mike and Jack, in their kayak

Riley pretending to paddle, as they got out of the water.

Not that you can see it well, but there is an alligator right where they were canoeing!

After their canoe trip, they got ice cream to cool off.

Reagan, Riley, and Jack ... silly kiddos!

On the way back to the site, Reagan got hit in the head with the seat belt, and had a huge goose egg on her head. Poor girl!

We later went on a drive, to see some wildlife. We were lucky this trip, and got to see some Wild Hogs!

A Deer

A HUGE Spider

The State Park was really flooded from the recent Tropical Storm ... so I was surprised the mosquitoes were not that bad.

A beautiful view

The roadway itself was even beautiful.

Then we went for a walk through the woods.

The kiddos playing on the trees

Then it was up to the canopy walk ... The kids were so excited to go up to the top.

The Posti's ... at the top of the tower

The whole gang ... Posti's and Andrew's

At night, the bathrooms were COVERED in frogs. There were hundreds of them from the smallest to the biggest we have ever seen.

This one frog, scared the life out of Riley. She was drinking from the water fountain when he popped his head up right there, and she started screaming and crying. Poor girl was terrified to go back to the bathrooms after that!

Reagan even caught a frog, but we let him go after 5 minutes.

We had a wonderful time, minus our adventure to go out to eat. We were so excited to eat at the famous Yoder's Amish Restaurant in Sarasota. We got cleaned up and dressed and drove out there, to find it closed due to a power failure. We were so disappointed, as we were looking forward to some of their famous Fried Chicken and Homemade Pies! 

Oh well, guess we will have to go back!!!