Father's Day Campout

This year in honor of Father's Day we went camping! Daddy has been chomping at the bit to try out our new tent and when the campground at Lake Kachess finally opened for the season we were there. Camping with Terry is great because I don't have to do anything really. It is like a mini vacation for me because he does all the camp set-up, cooking and cleaning. I love it!! My work usually consists of making sure we have everything before we leave the house, supply wise, and packing up the food and clothes.

The weather was going to be kind of hit or miss but I was mostly prepared. As long as Max is covered, I figure I can live with only one pair of socks for 3 days and no shower. Max really enjoys the camping experience also. He got much more into this year, then last year at the ocean. We had a blast! As an added bonus, Uncle Mike, our former neighbor, joined us. It was great to have him along for company.

Our first day we arrived a little later then we expected and after setting up, Max and I tried to have a little nap. He wasn't having any of it. Way to much to see and do and he just knew he was missing out on something. Max is a little man that regularly naps 2 to 3 hours a day, so I was a little concerned by this lack of sleep. He was a trooper though. There were a few hiccups throughout the afternoon but for the most part he did pretty well. The weather was mildly uncooperative and that may have been some of his frustration. As were some of the safety rules of being near the fire pit and wood chopping. Overall, all three of us were pretty impressed with his no nap attitude. I, however was determined to make sure he napped the second for fear of sensory overload and total meltdown.

We had an awesome campsite with a path that lead right to the lake and had some nice shady and open sunny areas, when there was sun. It really was the perfect spot. Daddy and Max had scouted it out a couple of weeks before hand and picked it out special. Excellent job Daddy.

 Making Daddy work down by the Lake.

 Uncle Mike being super protective of Max while Daddy shows off how to chop fire wood. They really are not as close as they seem in the photo. Max did always want to be right up in the action though.

 Collecting kindling and bringing it to Uncle Mike, who was the official firestarter. Max loved having a job to do and always wanted to help out.

 First night treat! Jiffy pop! Max loves popcorn. Here is the happy boy sitting in his new Lightening McQueen chair. He thought having his own little chair was great.

 Using "Molly Hatchet," to show Daddy and Uncle Mike how it is done. Don't worry Gramma, it is duller then dull!!

 Max's favorite mode of transportation, riding on Daddy's head! He is wearing daddy's hat and "steering" him with his ears. Pretty comical!

Carbon Creek. According to a friend with a house out there, the bridge washed out a few years ago and they have yet to replace it. It was a short but nice hike all the same. Someone else told us that if you follow this specific trail around the Lake it comes to an old mine and there are lots of quartz crystals in the water around the area.

Curious if anyone knows what this plant is. It was all over the campground.

 Amazing star-like clusters of flowers on a Liatris like stem with a grassy base. No fragrance but growing in sunny and shady areas. The flower stood about 18 inches tall.

 Max and I lounging in the hammock Daddy got us as a suprise! Thank goodness for looooooong rope! We put it between the 2 closest trees.

 Daddy being goofy! Max's laugh could be heard for miles.

We had such and amazing time and want to go back for more. I am hoping for better weather, as it intermittently rained on us the entire time we were there. Thinking about trying it after the baby comes if summer holds on until the end of September. Since summer hasn't actually gotten here yet, we might be in luck.

Just a few words about Terry. He really shines when he is out in this kind of environment. Now having Max with us he becomes such a good teacher and guides Max's any interest. He gets down on his level and explains everything using real words and ideas. Max is now starting the "how does it work" phase of asking a million questions and Terry is right there to answer them to the best of his ability. I love watching them together. They are like 2 peas in a pod. He really is a great dad and often times has much more patience then I do. I can't wait to see what a little girl brings out in him. He won't know what hit him!!