Brown County State Park= Family

Brown County State Park in Nashville Indiana was home base for 2 weeks where we could visit family, host family hikes and meals, and meet our newest family babies. We planned this stop months ago knowing we would be bathed in love and surrounded by family and that’s exactly what happened.

Brown County State Park is HUGE with over 500 campsites. We landed in campsite 62 which was perfectly placed in the park for visitors and hanging out. Site 62 also had a huge black walnut tree. For those that don’t know, the tree produces tennis ball size nuts that can seriously hurt when landing from a high branch. They also sounded like bombs hitting the rig when the wind blew just right. I had to keep head gear on when I was near it…placed directly over the fire pit. 
Judith, Paul and Mitchell made the trip to join in the family fun. This time they didn’t bring the dogs and didn’t lose their wallet. We hiked and feasted on food and made s’mores and laughed so much. 

My sister Michele and bro-in-law Pat were over the top helpful. Kimberly worked both weeks and they provided airport shuttle back and forth and a permanent guest room for travel days. Not to mention the gobs of laundry we did, we ate their food, drank their liquids, and spent a lot of time together. They hosted several family events so we could all be together and that was priceless. Mollie did NOT like sharing attention so she peed on her cousin Zivas bed. Ziva was very tolerant of the 10 pound visitor and likely did not like the gift. 

Patrick and I hiked and went into Nashville, IN to Big Woods Brewery for yums and Michele and I went into Columbus, IN for a day which was awesome. We enjoyed yums at Upland Brewery. 

Nephew Michael and I enjoyed Poke’ bowls at this cool Indianapolis market. I loved seeing Michael as a new Father for the first time. His  beautiful wife Brittany handles their precious Scarlett with such love and tenderness.

I drove to Bloomington, IN to visit with niece Erin and spend some time with her son Micah. We’ve been waiting to meet Micah for over a year and now we are smitten with the little guy. Erin and Ryan live in a beautiful home near the hospital Ryan works in. 

We had pumpkin carving day on our last Saturday at the Nilands and we were finally all together for a group photo.
Our last night around the campfire with Michele and Patrick, eating pizza and drinking beers and playing cards was priceless. For the record, Patrick and I whooped Kimberly and Michele in spades. And, for the record, I whooped Patrick in backgammon that very same day. Just sayin.
Brown County State Park was perfect and will always be remembered for the family time we had. We had a safe drive to Columbus-Belmont State Park in Columbus, KY. As I write this, I am looking at the Mississippi River. Lots of beauty in this Country. 

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