Final countdown - Traditions you never drop?

[CottontailCurl4two]

I'm down to the last things on my to-do list but still have some time before our departure. This is not the norm for a Fort Wilderness trip prep but I'm finding the lack of all the things you have to do with/for your young kids in addition to packing and prepping makes that much of a difference (cause everyone is 18+ now).

All the camping equipment and food is stacked up and ready to pack in the car and all I have left is to add my day to day toiletries to my suitcase and cook our dinner for arrival and chow time after we've set up camp. Our traditional first meal came about because it was easy to throw together while I checked and re-checked packing lists and supervised the kids' packing. It was BBQ chicken that is made by throwing chicken breasts in a casserole dish and covering in bbq sauce then baking for an hour. 2 steps and it's done while I work so we kept it for years of first meals at the fort. BBQ chicken, macaroni salad, baked beans, chips. It's our Fort Wilderness first meal - do you have any traditions that have stayed the same even as your family changes?

I am so excited and can't wait to sink stakes in the sand.

 

[peg110]

Well we have only had 2 trips to the Fort. (2012 and 2014). First we planned for the trips to be arriving at the Fort on Thanksgiving. That being said, we typically leave the Tuesday (after work) for the Fort. Stopping at a truck stop at Ashland VA and getting Breakfast at the Cracker Barrel there. Then going almost all the way to the fort and spending another night about an hour out from the Fort. That's our "Tradition" so far. Probably going to do the same thing when we go in 2016 (same time frame). I think it becomes the tradition because it works well for us.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Since its 1100 miles to the Fort we are usually pretty tired by the time we get there. After a quick setup we get showered and walk the dog then head down to Trails end and pick up a Giddy up N go, we eat on the front porch at the picnic table and watch the tourists.

 

[jbrostek]

The countdown items that never change:

The night before departure for the adult trip I actually stay in the camper at a friends shop, one of the families are from PA so they come down the day before and stay there dry camp(semi, we do have power.) So I found it nice to dry camp with them the night before as we get to catch up a little.

We always stop at JR's in Dunn, NC for "lunch" on the first day heading south. Allows me to pick up some fresh cigars that I may not have easy access to in VA.

We prefer to stay overnight the first night a Point South KOA. Though it has more recently been loosing its luster with me with the new RV and having some tight spots to get in and out of.

We always take 2 days to get down there, we take a pretty direct route, but we do not try to rush there. We like to get there around 2-3 the next day. Usually get smooth check-in and settle into our sites. I prefer to take it easy that first day but either trails end or something on the grill is on the menu.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Fort traditions:
. . . Chip-n-Dale Campfire
. . . Crockett Tavern - rocking chair with a drink (or two, or three)
. . . Trading Post - Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich

 

[Chickp]

We've only been twice, but both times on the first day, we've ridden our bikes all around and over to the Wilderness lodge for a "snack" (last time my kids got full waffle breakfasts after already eating breakfast, but whatev!). We discovered a hidden coffee bar on the ramp as you walk down to the quick service restaurant!

 

[4daubers]

Some things are always a must do. Golf Cart rides through all the loops, Pulled Pork Wraps from Trails End, Sitting at the dock with a wine cooler.