Point Lookout Camping Trip
Point Lookout State Park, Maryland
17-18 April 1999

Jeff, Gerry, Joshua, Michael, Sheila, Rich, Nina and Kiko (Rich and Nina's pup) traveled to Point Lookout State Park in Maryland for an overnight camping trip.  Actually we stayed in a cottage, but we did have a fire that Michael used to make smores!  Does that count as camping? Anyway, we had a blast!!!

We started our trip by leaving from the Hunter Motel at 09:00am.  Our first stop was at the Hampton Inn for a quick break and cup of coffee.  We left Hampton Inn about 10:00am and made our way south until we reached RT 218.  From here we headed west on RT 218 until we reached RT 301 where we stopped for lunch at McDonald's.   After lunch we continued on RT 301 into Maryland and then headed south on RT 234 and then RT 5 until we arrived at the park about 1:30pm.  After retrieving the cottage key from the Ranger station, we proceeded down the road until we reached the cottage.

The cottage is located just a few yards from the river and has two bedrooms with a fully equipped kitchen.  We were all very impressed.  Outside was a fire ring that we used for better than seven hours burning anything we could find to keep us warm.  For dinner we grilled hamburgers, hotdogs and chicken.  After dinner we gathered around the fire to relax, talk of the good ol' days and sip our favorite beverage.  After awhile Nina said she wished we had some tequilla.  Since Gerry wasn't drinking she grabbed my truck keys and headed for town to acquire this Mexican beverage.  Upon her return, Nina forced us all to join her in a drink.  Remember the Alamo!!!

As I mentioned before, Michael made smores as we sat around the fire getting warm from the heat and the tequilla. Later on in the evening Jeff pulled his truck up next to the fire so we could listen to music.  By now the beer and tequilla had kicked in so listening to music quickly turned to dancing and singing (not a pretty picture).  This lasted well past midnight for Michael, Sheila, Rich and Nina.   Unfortunately, Jeff gave in to the beer and crashed much earlier in the evening.   The next morning the inside of Jeff's truck smelled of a burnt house!!!  Next time he's bringing a radio.

In the morning as we were preparing to leave, little Joshua fell on the cottage steps and split his cheek open.  It appeared as if he would need stitches so we quickly packed up and headed for the Naval Station in Lexington Park, MD.  Fortunately, Joshua didn't need stitches and x-rays proved he really is hard-headed as nothing was broken. After tending to Joshua's misfortune, we all headed for home.  All in all, the trip was loads of fun.  Below are a few photos from this ride.

Click on any image to see full size picture!

	Here we are at the Hunter Motel shortly before heading out for Point Lookout State Park.  Pictured are Joshua (with binoculars), Jeff, Sheila, Nina and Rich.  Of course Gerry was our photographer.  Michael would be joining us later in the day as he was promoting Ride for Kids at a local open house.
	Not far from the park is the Point Lookout Confederate Cemetary.  This is the site where more than 3,800 Confederate soldiers died from lack of decent food, water, shelter, disease and bad sanitation.
	Gerry, Sheila, Joshua, Rich, Nina and Kiko pose for a quick photo.
	The monument pictured stands over the mass grave of 3,800 dead Confederate soldiers and is the ONLY monument in the U.S. that is dedicated to an enemy - the Confederates.
	Sheila and Nina relaxing in front of the cottage while enjoying the view (of two Harley's).
	Just a few yards down the beach is Fort Lincoln.
	Inside one of the buildings at Fort Lincoln, Joshua takes a moment to issue a stern warning to Jeff to be on his best behavior today.
	Sheila strikes a pose out near the water.
	Here's Nina and Rich with Kiko taking a break after walking on the beach.
	As you can tell by this photo, we were "tired."
	Preparing for the race.  For this event, we had to sprint just a few yards, pick a badminton racket, place one end of the racket on the ground, place our head on the other end, spin around 10 times, then sprint back.   Piece of cake!
	Let the spinning begin!
	Where the hell is Jeff going????
	Nina making it VERY clear that it's a MAN's job to tend to the fire and the cooking during this trip!  Enjoy your drink Nina!!!
	Here's Gerry and Josh playing football.  After watching Gerry pass the ball to Josh, I'm certain John Elway didn't retire because of her!
	Gerry is destined to ride a Harley...just not as the operator!
	Chef Jeff preparing dinner for everyone!
	Since we didn't have coat hangers, Michael used his Boy Scout training to prepare skewers for his "smores."
	Gathered around the fire as night settles in.
	The morning after...nuff said!
	Poor Joshua!