Dave did some excellent research and found the perfect (for us) campground. It was located on a very primitive road. Our Prius got stuck 3 times and both Dave and I agreed this was probably the dumbest thing we've ever done as parents. In addition, the campground had no water source so we had to haul everything in. Sound like enough to make you not want to go? That was our hope for everyone in CA who may have wanted to come.
The campground DID however have pretty dense trees and varying elevations which meant you couldn't see your neighbors as much as you normally can in ugly CA campgrounds. The name Boulder Creek was spot on. The kids both kept saying, "Whoh, a huge, massive, gigantic rock!!" More on this later.
We lucked out with a great campsite and relatively quiet neighbors (literally a first in the 8 years we've been in CA). We will never, ever understand why Californians bring boom boxes to blast music in campgrounds. So bizarre.
Our trip was perfect.
But what perfect means to parents of two small people might look a little different than you expect. CA-243 is a winding road. Jack fell asleep and Cade was quiet so I didn't make a concerted effort to drive gingerly around the corners. The next thing you know, Cade is throwing up all over himself and his carseat. Poor guy. Dave did a stellar job of cleaning up the car seat while I stripped our crying and gagging little boy down to his skivvies on the side of the road. A less than pleasant way to start out a weekend of camping.
But, we don't overreact anymore when things go awry. We just fix it and move on.
Dave did an outstanding job getting us to the campground. This required 3 separate road repairing efforts where he filled deep ditches with rocks from the side of the road so that we could drive our low clearance Prius over the rough terrain.
The campground itself was so dreamy and our kids got right to work scooping dirt into their dump trucks and riding bikes around while we set up camp.
The next morning after a breakfast of egg and bacon sandwiches (yum), we set off on our hike up to the Black Mountain Fire Lookout. Both kids did exceptionally well, each hiking (almost) the whole way by themselves. Hiking with small people, especially the one who isn't quite yet 2 years old, requires immense patience. They are more concerned with finding rocks to throw and boulders to crawl on then on getting to the intended destination.
My parents spent three summers during Optometry school saving money by going as far away as you can from the places where you spend money. :) They got jobs with the Forest Service at a fire lookout on Trinity Mountain in Idaho. They have incredibly fond memories of that time and have shared their slideshow pictures with us kids more times than I can count.
So today, when we got to hike up to the lookout on Black Mountain, I was extra excited to visit the volunteers and see the view from the top. And the outcome did not disappoint. The volunteers, two lovely women, were so gracious in letting our boys explore and they even shared some candy with them. We took in the views, ate our lunch, and then headed back down the mountain to camp.
Our gracious friends, Tom and Krystal, loaned us a child size climbing harness for this trip and we figured we'd give our little adventurer a taste of rock climbing. He was SO excited to give it a whirl.
We couldn't decide whether or not to stay for a second night. We hemmed and hawed right past Cade's usual nap time. By the time we were ready to go, we had overshot his nap time by an hour. Cade usually explodes into a crying/screaming mess and is unable to stop until he falls asleep from exhaustion. Unfortunately, this usually requires an hour or more. Dave captured the build up on camera.
But, we don't overreact anymore when things go awry. We just fix it and move on.
Dave did an outstanding job getting us to the campground. This required 3 separate road repairing efforts where he filled deep ditches with rocks from the side of the road so that we could drive our low clearance Prius over the rough terrain.
The campground itself was so dreamy and our kids got right to work scooping dirt into their dump trucks and riding bikes around while we set up camp.
The next morning after a breakfast of egg and bacon sandwiches (yum), we set off on our hike up to the Black Mountain Fire Lookout. Both kids did exceptionally well, each hiking (almost) the whole way by themselves. Hiking with small people, especially the one who isn't quite yet 2 years old, requires immense patience. They are more concerned with finding rocks to throw and boulders to crawl on then on getting to the intended destination.
20 weeks to the day pregnant with baby boy #3
The official half way mark
"We're on the upward trail, we're on the upward trail
Singing, singing, everybody's singing as we go..."
Jack is an amazing camper/hiker/outdoorsman.
His enthusiasm makes our own even greater!
My parents spent three summers during Optometry school saving money by going as far away as you can from the places where you spend money. :) They got jobs with the Forest Service at a fire lookout on Trinity Mountain in Idaho. They have incredibly fond memories of that time and have shared their slideshow pictures with us kids more times than I can count.
So today, when we got to hike up to the lookout on Black Mountain, I was extra excited to visit the volunteers and see the view from the top. And the outcome did not disappoint. The volunteers, two lovely women, were so gracious in letting our boys explore and they even shared some candy with them. We took in the views, ate our lunch, and then headed back down the mountain to camp.
Black Mountain Lookout
Our hike down took a bit longer than anticipated as the boys had to stop every 20 feet to play in the rocks and sand.
Our gracious friends, Tom and Krystal, loaned us a child size climbing harness for this trip and we figured we'd give our little adventurer a taste of rock climbing. He was SO excited to give it a whirl.
I'm pretty smitten by this picture.
My honey love taking his first born on an adventure to share in something he loves to do.
Jack looks so big and at the same time so small in this picture.
On belay
Jack's First Rock Climb
Time to rappel back down. Can you see Jack?
We couldn't decide whether or not to stay for a second night. We hemmed and hawed right past Cade's usual nap time. By the time we were ready to go, we had overshot his nap time by an hour. Cade usually explodes into a crying/screaming mess and is unable to stop until he falls asleep from exhaustion. Unfortunately, this usually requires an hour or more. Dave captured the build up on camera.
Maybe if I hold my lip in, it will help?
I'm so sad.
I'm so tired.
I'm so....
Waaaahhhh....with a spit bubble for good measure
After 30 minutes of solid screaming in camp (sorry every living soul in the campground) and 30 minutes solid of crying in the car, he finally dozed off. It was only a 30 minute nap (total for the day) but it was SO nice not to hear crying.
But that would be a depressing way to end so instead we'll leave you with this little gem from camp.
Cade has been "singing" Jesus Loves Me over and over again over the past few days.
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