We took the girls on their first camping trip last week to Sequoia National Park. Now that we're home, had a proper shower and a good nights sleep we can say we had a great trip! It really was fun and we're glad we did it. Kate is the perfect age to take camping. She was excited about everything. Loved to explore, hike, help gather kindling for the fire, sit and do crafts, look for bears and was a happy camper all around. Gwen was excited about s'mores, big trees, bears but not about the hiking. 15 steps and she was usually tired. She runs around at home all day--not sure why it doesn't translate into hiking!
At the top of Moro Rock.
We camped at Lodgepole and it was really gorgeous. Our campsite was nestled between the forest and a river, had running water and flush toilets. Important things for camping with kids.
The massive sequoia trees did not disappoint. They appear cartoon-like, almost hard to believe they are real. The "Giant Forest" really is so giant!
We packed our little blue car to the max complete with bikes on the back and cargo up top. It made it all the way!
Gwen is showing off her dirty hands here. I tried my best to have the kids wash their hands before eating, but we had to just embrace the dirt. As a result she threw up in her sleeping bag our second night. Gross. Thankfully it was a one time occurrence and after sleeping in the next morning until 9am she was back in action.
The girls did a Jr. Ranger program and got badges. They proudly wore them for 2 days after. Kate kept calling it her Dodger badge?
Camping food is part of the experience and we did it well! Tin foil dinners, scrambled eggs and hashbrowns, hot chocolate, pancakes and bacon, hot dogs, baked beans and of course s'mores.
Note Gwen's sad face at the top of Moro Rock. She was scared about being at the top of the tallest mountain.
One of the highlights of the trip was our bear sightings! Paul and Kate saw a mama and baby bear about 20 feet away from them while I stayed with the anti-hiker while she napped in the car. I was super jealous I missed seeing the baby bear, but was lucky to see a bear in a canyon the next day. Baby deer roamed through our campsite several times and Kate and Gwen would get all giddy. We were super careful to store our food in the bear box at the campsite and the girls reminded us every night to put the food away so the bears wouldn't come in our tent.
We made good memories and gained new appreciation for our beautiful state and clean beds!
6 comments:
Way to go, Jill! That is a labor of love! They'll never forget it!
brings back good memories !!
Okay, that looks like the most amazing campout ever!! I showed this post to Steve, and he wants to go there now. :) Looks like fun!
Awesome camping trip. I can't wait until Will is a bit older so we can do some sweet camping trips. Man, that place looks beautiful. :( that sucks Gwen upchucked in her sleeping bag on night #2 (oh, the nasty things parents must endure). All in all, looks like a great trip.
Awesome camping trip. I can't wait until Will is a bit older so we can do some sweet camping trips. Man, that place looks beautiful. :( that sucks Gwen upchucked in her sleeping bag on night #2 (oh, the nasty things parents must endure). All in all, looks like a great trip.
Looks like a lot of work!!! I do have fond memories of camping when we were little and will love to do the same with our kiddos when my baby isn't such a monster :)
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