Sequoia Camping Trip

With only one week before his residency would start, Dave and I knew that we needed to get out of dodge to feel like we actually got some sort of post-med school break.  For us, the one thing that recharges our batteries more than anything is to go backpacking.  Unfortunately, hiking up a mountainside  all day with all our belongings on our backs, sleeping in a tiny tent, and eating out of an oragami plastic bowl didn't seem to jive with the whole "we have a baby now" situation.  

Enter:  car camping

Now it must be said that David was raised camping in a tent trailer and I was raised more on the rough side.  If truth be known, we are somewhat of a novice couple at this form of vacation and certainly are complete novices at camping with a baby.  We did our best in packing (which included leaving 1/2 of Jack's prepared food at home....argh) and set out on the long 6 hour drive up to Sequoia National Park.

All of our nervousness was for naught because we ended up having the BEST time ever!  I couldn't stop saying, "Oh....I'm just SO happy!"  Jack absolutely loved every minute.  He loved to plop down in the dirt and explore every rock, piece of bark, pine needle, and dirt.  He loved to cruise around the picnic table.  He loved to stand next to the open bear box and see what was inside.  

While we were there we got in two great hikes: Congress Trail and Tokopah Falls Trail.  Jack did great in the carrier for both hikes and we even saw a Mama bear with her cub on the second hike.  Overall, we had a wonderful time and would highly recommend a similar camping trip to all of our friends with young babes.  Here are some bits of advice for taking your youngin' out into the wild.

* Set realistic expectations:  if you think this will be your chance to catch up on some much needed Zzzz's, think again.  If you go into the experience realizing that you probably won't get much sleep then when that actually happens, it's no big deal.  Jack sleep great but was definitely up with the sun by 6am.  Also, your kid is going to get incredibly dirty.  Let it go.  Let them enjoy playing in the dirt.  

* Sleeping: we brought our changing table pad as a sleeping pad for Jack. It kept him plenty warm off the ground and with the sloped sides, helped him stay in one place.  We dressed him in a long sleeve shirt and pants with socks underneath a fleece zip up PJ.  We put a cotton beanie on his head followed by a fleece hat complete with ear flaps.  After nursing him to sleep, we slipped him into a fluffy sleep sack and he was set for the night.

* Eating: we brought all of Jack's normal foods already prepared.  We would highly recommend this method.

* Clothes:  here is where we made a mistake.  Normally, we undress Jack when he eats meals.  In camp, it was much too cold to do this.  Next time we go, we'll bring a lot more clothes for Jack so we don't have to reuse clothes covered in food (not the best idea in bear country!).  

* Toys:  you don't need them...not a single one (ok..maybe for the car ride) but the great outdoors provides plenty of new "toys" to play with.

*Pack n play:  We borrowed a pack n play from our friends Khahn and Leslie.  Whew!  What a life saver.  There were a few moments when we both needed to be working around camp and needed a safe place to throw Jack.  He loved it and so did we!

* Activities:  we found some excellent, easy, and short trails to enjoy.  We planned our hikes around nap times so that Jack was happy and ready to go.  Try for one hike after morning nap and plan to eat lunch on the trail and then another short hike after the afternoon nap and before dinner.  

* Bears:  ok parents.  This is the truth.  You should not worry one bit about bears!  Honestly!  There are several different types of bears in the US.  Grizzly bears are scary and could potentially be interested in eating you.  If you are afraid of bears, avoid the grizzlies (aka..the state of Montana and maybe Wyoming).  Most bears are black bears (although, these bears are often brown in color).  They eat berries and general roughage.  They have no interest in you are are actually afraid of humans.  If you are smart and don't try and steal their cubs, they will leave you alone.  Don't let bears be the reason you avoid camping.

Panther Gap?  

Turn left.

Nothing says happiness like really dirty Chaco feet!

Someday, our sweet boy, you'll have your own pair

Happiest little camper

This video is brought to you by the sweet new video camera David received as a graduation gift from his Grandma Panther, Grandma Goff, Aunt Susan, Aunt Barb, his brother John Mark, and his sister Katie.  THANK YOU!!!!