After checking Ruby out of her school at exactly 1:30 PM, no earlier due to specific instructions and details on her daily school plan and rituals, Ruby and I were off towards Wind Creek State Park. With the AHG girls, this one has been a hit, and it really is pretty easy. We tried again this spring for Dismals Canyon, with me being in charge again, but when they would only allow us 20 people to tour the canyon, and we had about 50 planning to attend, the decision was made to call an audible. Wind Creek was wide open, and our troop loves this area along the lake, and right next to the bathhouse.
Since we were one of the first to arrive, we quickly set up tents and got moved in for the weekend. Then Ruby and I jumped on our bikes and rode around camp. Our goal was to find the Ice Cream shop for the following day. We also found an ice machine, the beach area, and some teams practicing in their "Dragon Boats" for the big race on Saturday.
The Lake Martin Dragon Boat Race & Festival is an annual community event held at Wind Creek State Park to raise funds for Tallapoosa’s Caring REFUGE, a nonprofit supporting local cancer patients. Launched in April 2026 to celebrate Lake Martin’s centennial, the festival features teams of 10 rowers, a drummer, and a steerer competing in 30-foot Hong Kong-style boats alongside live music and food trucks. Beyond the races, participants compete for spirited awards like Best Drummer Costume, with the event expected to return as a spring tradition every April.
The first night is usually pretty restful, with everyone arriving and putting up tents. Belle helped me tie the troop flag poles, and she did really good with the knots. John Dean showed me the paper plate award he had still in his truck from the last camp here. Ansley set up her tent next to our families, so we had our own little grouping of 4 tents together forming the border to a Boy Scout troop that was camping next to our group. But no one else camped anywhere near us, so we had our own little place. Shaley had found the troop flag, which made me happy since it has been traveling from campsite to campsite for 6 years now collecting all of the girls names on the flag. Kailey and Ruby also rushed through the Junior Ranger books this afternoon to get sworn in as the first of Troop 1720 that evening. Magan cooked some ChickFilA and brought it to camp when her and Belle arrived that evening. We had a family meal, then joined the campfire for smores and conversations. I went to bed early as I was tired. And sometime in the night, all the girls moved Ruby's tent to the other side (AHG side) of our big tent so she was not so close to the boy scouts.
I drove out to McDonalds for breakfast the next morning, before all the squad activities would begin. The Explorers (Ruby) worked on some bird watching and wildlife requirements. The Tenderhearts were working on Toys and Games, and ended up making kites that worked really well in the wind we had along the lake. And the PiPas (Belle) continued working on Outdoor Skills.
Ruby and the explorers went on a small hike along an orienteering course. Ruby and Lydia led the group on this trip, with several of the parents continually asking me if I was sure this was not another 3 miler. But it was not, and the girls had fun finding 4 of the 10 markers. And while we were hiking, mom with with Belle and the PiPas to play some putt putt. This was where the funniest event occurred, at least if you ask Magan. There is a video of her trying to tell this story, but laughing through the whole tale. Apparently just as they were starting on a new hole, they heard a loud horn that scared her, Belle, Makayla, and Aviana to where they all jumped. Then they turned to see a large grey school bus, with a man Magan described as "Sloth from Goonies" sticking his head out of the driver window and laughing HA HA HA HA. It could have only been better if he had screamed "Hey you guys!".
Later, we all made our way to the Ice Cream stand, where the girls all got cones that I thought there was no way they could eat, but I was proven wrong by all three of them. There near the nearby pier we were warned to not kick or chase the ducks, no problem there. I of course abstained, as dairy is not good for me, but Makayla apparently with similar issues just hammered down on the ice cream. This caused her to not feel well, then a momma search for nausea medicine, that was not successful. This may have been intentional, as the PiPa girls had an adventure traveling to Publix for a fun field trip. I also learned that you do not joke about with some mommas. I mentioned the need for medicine to two other moms who both quickly started talking about which essential oil was the best for this condition. They both suggested two different oils and locations to rub them. I then said "Well, they weren't planning to get any witch doctor"...and I got the death stare.
Some other crazy events of the day were Jocylyn falling out of a hammock scaring Belle, then falling through her chair. We also had a scare when Alana and I saw Claire fall out of a hammock. The girls always love swinging in these hammocks, but we have fortunately not had any falls. But claire hit hard, and Alana and I shared a look of fear. But she stood up, and the arm started moving, so we were lucky again. Melanie Dabbs showed off her loud momma whistle when looking for Mila.
That night around the campfire, Anabelle and Ansley MCed the event. Ruby's group did a skit about being different animals. And Belle wanted me to help with the PiPa skit by using my magic to make them disappear. I told all the girls to close their eyes, and disregard the sounds of PiPa girls running from the campfire, then when they opened their eyes, the PiPas were GONE! Jocyln and I did the trick of breathing under water. Kessa shared a story that was really great and captivated everyone, but I can't remember it, so I will just say, she did a great job. Anabelle did her corny jokes while I walked through telling corny bits about my case. We sang about Joe, we sang about Purple soup, and we did some Popsico. Mom continued to fail at her Popsico responses.
Then, perhaps because I did not prep better, I asked Anabelle to lead the flag retirement ceremony where the girls retired 3 flags. Belle and I led the Star Spangled Banner, then the evening slowly came to an end.
On Sunday morning, I did actually cook...well, I heated up water to use in the Biscuits and Gravy instant meal, and some instant grits. Magan enjoyed her pressed coffee this morning as well. I brought the key chain material down closer to the girls where they could all make a souvenir from the event. I had to get a picture of Kessa because she has always been in my group for years now always making a key chain. She told me that she still has all of them from the trips, and I can't imagine AHG without her next year. With Kessa's brothers in boy scouts, we have known her since she was a tot, and now almost 18 and working on her Stars and Stripes. I was selected to be her mentor, and probably doing a horrible job, but I am honored that she reached out to me.
The PiPa girls did the devotion that morning, and I was proud of Anabelle, as she led through some verses in Mark that we had recently covered in bible class. She talked about Bartimaeus and his healing. Afterwards we moved to the Paper Plate awards, and on this trip, we each received one: Mom (Best Worst Person at Popsico), Ruby (Most likely to have had Mrs Melissa as a squad leader for 7+ years), Belle (Most likely to start playing an instrument on top of a playground with a stranger), and Dad (Magic Owl Man, Best Napper @ camp, The Clueless Wanderer, Dangerous "hands-less" driver with small kids in the car). Ruby will miss Mrs Melissa, as she is taking a break next year. Belle said her plate came from a random person playing an instrument, and her making the comment, I would do that. And mine came from Makayla and Belle looking for me and actually Life 360ing me to realize i was in the tent sleeping when they were going to go on a hike. I also was clueless wandering as I was taking benedryll during the day to take care of some bad alergies on this trip...and I was floating at times. The little girls doing bird watching somehow decided I was the Owl Man, and I don't recall any dangerous hands-less driving.
Our trip ended skipping our normal Huddle House visit for the new Meat and 3 in Harpersville, where we ran into two other families from church, and actually got to sit next to the Aikens and watch cute little Charlotte eat mac and cheese out of her bib.
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