Natty Light, S’mores, Hot Dogs & Tubing

Ginnie Springs is an extremely popular campground in High Springs, Florida and on Memorial Day weekend, it’s a complete free-for-all. There are no reservations, no set camp sites and the campground becomes one big, crazy party.

Fortunately we had several friends head up to Ginnie Springs early on Friday and reserve a large spot for our group to set up camp.

Ryan and I loaded up his SUV in the pouring rain after work, but were determined not to let the dreary weather cramp our camping style.

Rainy Day Campers

By the time we made the 2+ hour drive to High Springs, the pouring rain settled to a light drizzle.

Upon arriving, we threw some hot dogs on the grill with our friends’ burgers and brats to enjoy for dinner.

Hot Dog Champ

Ryan downed four dogs with buns. I love a man that can eat!

I stuck to a more mild portion of one hot dog, with a side of strawberries, grape tomatoes and Natty Light, because I’m classy like that. 😉

Hot Daaawg

Plump Tomaters

Berry Good

Classy

As I was finishing up my dinner, more of our friends arrived. I got quite a laugh looking at how many people it took to set up one tent.

Pitchin' a Tent

After the tent was erected and a fire was built, it was time to bust out the good stuff to make s’mores.

I think s’mores may be one of my all-time favorite foods.

Since the gooey marshmallow/melted chocolate/graham cracker combo prepared over a blazin’ campfire only surfaces once in a blue moon, I took full advantage and had two. 🙂

S'Mores One

S'Mores Two

It seemed like after dark, the Ginnie Springs campground really came to life.

There were quite a lot of crazy sights to be seen, including a float, complete with Christmas lights and a mechanical bull.

Christmas in May

Fun, huh?

We spent the remainder of the evening drinking and talking around the campfire. I love just sittin’ back, hanging out and talking with my favorite people. It’s so much more my style than the downtown/clubbin’ scene. 

Eventually we got tired and settled down for the night. Ryan and I slept in the back of his SUV which worked surprisingly well!

We woke up a little before 8 a.m. to the sounds of people partying and opening beers around us.

Apparently Ginnie Springs campers don’t mess around!

Good Mornin'

Once everyone from our group was awake, we ate breakfast and rented tubes to use to float down the river during the day.

Ready for Tubin'

Woohoo!

After slipping into our swim suits, we headed out to the river with our massive tubes.

Time to Tube

The river that we floated down has a decent current, and people from all over rent or bring tubes to ride down the river.

The whole river run lasts more than an hour and several springs are located off the river where you can get out or splash around in crystal clear water. The only downside? The water is freezing!

After one run down the river, we broke for a quick lunch before tackling the river again.

Lunch was typical camping food: hot dogs, chips and chocolate chip cookies.

Hot Dog!

Yum

Benny & Merri

Me & Laurel

Cool Ranch Doritos

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Our camping neighbors were really wonderful and shared a turkey they made on the grill with our gang.

Turkey

The turkey was amazingly moist!! I’ve never had a turkey prepared on the grill before and let me just say it was phenomenal! Juicy, tender and very tasty.

Once our bellies were full, we headed to the water for one more run down the river.

It was great floating in the water and hangin’ out with our friends. Being on the water, relaxing in a tube is heaven!

When our last river run was complete, the weather took a turn for the worse. Fortunately we packed up our stuff quickly and were on our way back to Orlando by the time it started to pour.

It feels good to be relaxing on the couch! I think tonight will be an early night for us. I’m sleepy!

Hope you’re enjoying your Memorial Day weekend! 😀