lake raystown

Today I started my Summer 2011 vacation calendar. I try to be as organized as I can by planning ahead. Our tickets will be purchased soon (flights fill up VERY fast, so we must reserve and buy early), so this means I need to start reserving any hotels we may need during vacation. Also, by making a calendar and typing in plans, I have an easier time organizing dates.

Although we have one whole month of vacation time, it just flies right on by. It's very difficult trying to juggle time with family, actual vacation activities, and getting things done that can only be done in the U.S. (like shopping for things we can't find here, any paperwork that needs updated, etc). In recent years, we have made an effort to fill some of this month with actual vacation-like plans. Hubby uses almost his entire vacation time each summer so we don't have much left to use throughout the rest of the year. And while we love spending time with my family, we must set aside a bit of our time to give little guy all of those childhood memories that he deserves to have. We went to an island on Lake Erie two summers ago, and to the ocean last summer. This year I have a few ideas that will give us that getaway feeling as well as give us opportunites for great memories. And the cool part is that the locations are not too far from my hometown. Disney is on our list of ideas but we will postpone for another summer or two...sorry Mickey. ;)

One of the places I've been looking at for this summer is Lake Raystown which is located in Pennsylvania. I think this picture gives you a great idea of how big and beautiful it is...

Now, I'm not a big woodsy kind of girl, but growing up in PA, I'm a bit used to it. And I definitely miss the scenery. When I showed hubby these pictures he wanted to know why we've never been there in all these years. I guess I just took it for granted. I went to Raystown every summer as a kid with church camp. I have no idea why I sort of forgot about it. And there's so much more than just a lake to swim in and a waterpark.

There's canoeing...

There's the Proud Mary cruises for sightseeing and dining...

And so much more.

And the lodging options are impressive. They have everything from The Lodge (a more hotel-like experience), to cottages, to villas, to cabins, to tent and/or RV camping. I'm tossing up the ideas of either The Lodge or a cottage on the lake.

Here's the conference center...

A suite at The Lodge...

The lobby...

Of course camp fires would be in order, complete with hotdogs and smores. I think the lake would offer a more relaxed vacation atmosphere (I just need to bring bug spray). And because it's a comfortable, short drive from my hometown, my family peeps can come visit and hang with us while we're there. Vacation location + Family time = Win, Win :)

They also offer wedding packages. And since my little sister is getting married in summer of 2010, I had to post these pics (let me know what you think Lyss)...

Water, Fresh Air, Campfires, and Fun. Yep, I think a few days at the lake could do us all some good.

All images are via Lake Raystown's fb page. Here is their official website. (If you check it out, scroll down and you'll find a nice video link on the bottom right-hand side.)