This is going to be a long post. Get comfortable. Maybe grab a snack or a beverage. I give you the story of our camping adventure. I did not skimp on pictures.
Last Wednesday we packed up and headed out to meet Mimi and Papa at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Brian decided to work a half day and come home at lunch so we could leave at noon (or 1:00 as it turned out, because who actually leaves when then think they are going to?!?!?!). So we got everything loaded up and the kids in and we were off. But then we had to stop to get Charlie a new collar (don't get me started!) and ice. Then we were off. But then we had to stop because the tie downs on the top of the car sounded like a helicopter was landing on us so we unpacked the car, moved the boys car seats next to each other (cozy!) and shoved some stuff inside. Then we were off. But only to Bakersfield to drop off Charlie. Huge shout out to Erin for taking him last minute. We had planned to bring him as the campground allowed pets, but when I called to make absolutely sure Charlie was welcome the person told me he was allowed in the campground but not on the any of the trails...well that does me no good. So the day before we were leaving I'm searching for a dog sitter. My sister would have but she picked up two new cats the day before we left so we thought that was not a great idea. Our drive took us right near Erin's house and she so graciously offered to take him (and coincidently her dog is Charlie's niece and the two of them had an absolute ball!).
A few hours in we stopped for some in'n'out (for Brian) and we decided Scott could have some of Brian's milkshake. I mean its a road trip, you are supposed to eat junk food right?!?!! Scott still doesn't handle dairy well, but I knew a few sips wouldn't kill him. He was obsessed!!! Good thing it was a super thick shake or I think he would have sucked it all down in one gulp. He also had a few french fries (which at the point I realized he had never had those either), we were just breaking all the rules!
A few more bathroom stops and a nap for Owen and we were almost there, Scott even got to watch a movie during what should have been the last hour of our drive.
Did you get that? What should have been....well it wasn't. And now the story of how smart phones make you dumber. Our GPS worked really well, even out in the boonies, but we took screen shots of our directions just in case. Its dusk at this point and we should be at the campsite in 30 mins or so. We make our turn off and both thought "well its a little weird that there isn't a big sign", but we kept following our directions. A few minutes later we felt like we were really wrong...but supposedly only a mile away so we kept going (stupid!). Then bam: "You have arrived at your destination." Um no. We were on the top of a mountain, dirt road, deer.
So we try to find our away back and miss our turn (only by half a mile or so) and then we are at a gate. Crap. Then we (I) started to panic a little. We found our way back to the main road eventually and remembered seeing a ranger station, but turns out they close at 5 so that wasn't helpful.
{lost}
We played around with the maps a little longer, tried another route which failed but eventually made it to the campsite about 2 hours after our ETA. Tensions were high but at least the boys were sleeping and now we are able to laugh about it!
With the first night adventure behind us, we woke up bright eyed and ready for our adventure. My mom and I planned to do a big yummy breakfast that day so between eggs and sausage and hot coffee first thing in the morning everything felt back on track! And I have to say camping breakfast is one of my favorites. Something about warm food outside, I don't know what it is exactly but I just love it!
Brian took this picture on my phone and was looking back on it later and said "wow, we really looked so much better and cleaner at the beginning of this trip." And that statement could not have been more true.
Scott was so excited to wake up "at camping"
So was Owen, and Owen had {chicken} breakfast sausage for the first time which might have been the highlight of the trip for him. This little one can put some serious food away these days.
We cleaned up from breakfast and discovered a special surprise waiting for us: Pirates had visited our campsite....
The pirates (aka: Mimi) had left clues all over the campsite that sent Scott on a pirate treasure hunt.
Clues....
Scott was IN HEAVEN
Mimi helping Scott decipher the clues
Magnifying glass needed of course.
Scott did a pretty good job of figuring out the clues (with some guidance) but he was definitely distracted with each new clue. He just wanted to play with the flag he found or the swords or the map etc....
Owen was a good student and listened to Scott explain what was going on...
And he got some quality Papa time...
It took Scott a minute to find the treasure map buried in a tree stump covered by pinecones but once he did GAME.OVER. He was so happy to have a treasure map the whole adventure could have ended right there. The fact that the map showed him how to find buried treasure almost pushed him over the edge.
Studying hard...
And we're off
The map specifically said he had to climb over a log. No prob.
More studying to figure out the next step...
Looking for "X marks the spot". Binoculars were an absolute necessity.
These two trees crossed in a perfect "X" so the pirates figured there was no better place to bury their treasure.
"Here?"
When he saw the box he yelled out "TREASURRRRRRRE" in a pirate voice. BEST.EVER.
The "treasure" included a telescope, a bell, fruit snacks and Jake and the Neverland Pirates "guys", which Scott now sleeps with
And all this kid got was a crummy pine cone??!??!!! Just kidding, Scott shared he finds with his brother of course, he was just a little young for the clues, maybe by next year.
SUPER EXCITED FACE (he's still got it!)
Later that day we headed out on a short hike near our site. This kid was loving the back pack, I might have to get him one before Scott is ready to pass his on.
We borrowed this back pack from the Richards and worked out awesome....until Owen fell asleep and then he was just plain too big for it.
Scott and Papa taking a little break on the path
Exploring the woods
Trying to nap with mommy's t-shirt as a makeshift head support
Big trees ya'll
And this kid scored a piggy back ride half of the way back...good thing we're best buds and I didn't mind
These two headed back early so Owen (or both of them?) could get a good nap...
Friday we visited the ranger station before we headed out on our hike.
We did the North Grove hike and I can't say enough good things about how great it is for kiddos. I mean I guess its a little touristy and more of a walk than a hike but it was perfect for the boys. Its about a mile and a half and all the "landmarks" are clearly marked and most of them offered something extra to explore.
We started at this big ol stump (the biggest in the grove)
Then Scott took over the map and became our navigator...
Heading into an hollowed out fallen tree with Papa
And Owen did not get left out of the fun. I tried keeping him in the back pack and walking into the tree with him that way, but he was not having it...
I guess we have two little explorers on our hands.
Tree huggin' with daddy...
I think this one was called "the bachelor"
Family photo op, sorry its so far, we were trying to get both trees in there...
Mimi and Papa photo op, and now looking back we really should have asked someone to get a picture of the whole group of us....rats, next time I guess.
We took our time and explored all the trees, tunnels and "troll holes"
This guy had a blast:
His new "phrase" is "ooooooooh", if you look at his mouth above and below you can completely tell that's what he's saying. So stinkin' cute!
Captured this picture in honor of Father's Day which was a couple of days later
Owen made it through about 3/4 of the hike before crashing out in the ergo, but he still made it in our family picture, sleeping or not!
After lunch we explored this meadow before heading back to camp....
....for some sword fighting....
...and dinosaurs...
...and sword fighting....
...and {pretend} juice pouring...
Scott hamming it up when I asked him to say cheese. Goober.
Pretty special time with Mimi and Papa
Saturday morning we headed to the Junior Ranger program put on by the park. Scott was hesitant at first but warmed up pretty quickly.
He had fun participating, especially when he got to use a magnifying glass
The very last thing they did was ask for a volunteer to dress up like a tree, Scott volunteered but another girl beat him to it. The ranger said Scott could go next, so after everyone was packing up Scott put the tree costume on...
Love this kid.
Saturday's hike was little tougher so we didn't all go to the top.
But we did meet back at Beaver Creek for some awesomely refreshing water play!!!
By Sunday morning we were exhausted and dirty, really really dirty. We packed up and headed out to breakfast with Mimi and Papa on our way out of town. It was the perfect end to a wonderful trip.
We figured out a faster way home and both boys crashed for at least half the drive.
It was the perfect trip and we can't wait to go again!
I so enjoyed reading about the entire adventure! Felt like I was almost there, the pictures are awesome. And excuse me? Pirate treasure hunt?! Insanity! Seriously so fun, you guys know how to party!
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