The Tilton family were my neighbors in Area A at Lake Ouachita State Park. They were nice enough to take the time to tell their tales of their vast experience with Arkansas State Park camping. Maw-maw (Vivian) and Paw-paw (Edward) said they'd been camping for ages, starting with borrowed tents to their present homey trailer. They've been coming to Arkansas since 1970 - they have pictures of grandson Glenn (seated far right) as a baby held in a dish pan floating on the lake. This fine family have been gathering for Labor Day reunions for 5 years now.

Starting where it all began with Maw-maw and Paw-paw Tilton at the far left.

Ann is seated next to Maw-maw holding her youngest daughter Gracie. She shared great memories of her earlier camping trips with just Maw-maw, Glenn, and her sister, Amy, at ages 9-12, where they came to Lake Ouachita and were "turned loose on the mountain" - explored all over the place and probably did things they weren't supposed to - but they survived to camp another day! Now she enjoys getting to sit and play dominoes all night - of course, she won, so she'd say that. She and her hubby William now live in Anna, Texas. He stayed home to work on the house they're building without interruption.

Jessie, another grandchild, is next to Paw-paw, holding Rachel, Ann's oldest daughter. Jessie was celebrating her 15th birthday on this holiday - Happy Birthday, Jessie!

Larry and Glenda Crawford, Ann's parents, are behind Jessie. They've lived in Greenwood, Arkansas for 6 years now, so had the shortest distance to travel.

Traci, Glenn's sister, is holding Woody the Yorkshire Terrier. She came the farthest from Tuscaloosa.

Michelle, jokingly referred to as a "homeless" friend from Tuscaloosa is partially hidden by Traci's hat.

Martha, Phillip's wife, looking very pretty in pink, is next to her daughter, Traci.

Uncle White (Phillip) - Maw-maw & Paw-paw's oldest son and Glenn's father - is in the back. Back in his "wilder" days he was known as Uncle Red because of his wild red hair.

Tricia, Glenn's wife, is next to Martha. She's from farther south in Louisiana, so is the most cajun of the bunch.

Jacob (Glenn and Tricia's son) and Lawrence in the red t-shirt (Ann's son) were nice enough to put up with me taking a bunch of pics, which was delaying their fishing expedition.

Glenn, the favorite grandson (maybe because he's the only one?) - who put up with floating in the lake in a dishpan when he was an infant camping with Maw-maw and Paw-paw.

I really enjoyed meeting this family and hearing their stories. Before I left, Maw-maw thanked me for my interest because "We're proud of ourselves and each other." I hugged her and said I was proud to know them!