Camping at Smokey Hills State Forest - Friday night. We usually get this annual trip in before school starts but missed it this year on account of Matt and my CO trip. Ben was left hanging so we snuck out for a night in the woods leaving a full schedule back in Fargo.
My friend Newly Glassford knows the area we camped as we have winter camped in the same area. New signs that say "no motorized" vehicles allowed which we abided by, dropped off our gear, parked the pick up and set up in the woods. This was not your typical camp sight by any means, we had to clear a few small trees for the tent and were generally "roughing" it in a big way, just what we needed.
Of course, once the camp is set up there was time for "chilling" as the boys always say. Lots of smart talk and solving the worlds problems between all of us.
After sleeping like bricks in the middle of the woods we woke to owls talking back and forth and all of the noises associated with the forest.

It is tradition for me to make breakfast. No picnic table here, but we made due. Eggs, sausage and chocolate milk.
Matt and Ben spent the whole morning messing around in the woods. Tons of stuff to keep busy including numerous frogs being caught. This was the smallest.
There must have been a big wind that passed through as there were a lot of downed trees. Plenty of fire wood available for sure.
Matt has his driving permit now and made the trip home. The boys and I decided that this was one of the top 10 camping trips that we have done. Not sure what it was....the fact that there was a ton of stuff going on in town Friday night that we just blew off, the fact that we did not bring bikes or that we went to a different area that had a lot to explore? Whatever, we had a great time in the woods and plan to go back before the snow flies and after the snow flies.

Cheers!