Camping at Sagehen

Even though I spent less than 24 hours at the campsite last weekend, we managed to pack quite a bit in. I think I mentioned that the boys actually went up the night before I got there, so they got a little more accomplished than I did!

Canoe time!

I prepared some food before I left home so could bring a nice dinner up with me. The little boys were happiest with hot dogs and beans!

I

The pasta for our dinner was actually in my gift bag from MaryJane Butters. She has a line of organic camp food and I have always wanted to try it. The bag stands by itself and you just add boiling water, fold the bag over, wait ten minutes, and it is ready to eat! This pasta was delicious. I will definitely be getting some more, for our next camping trip. I assumed it would be loaded with sodium, being a convenience food, but was pleased to see that it wasn't. Yum!

Ahhhh!

When did this kid get so big?

Camping is not camping, without Jiffy Pop.

Cam caught this cute little guy at our campsite.

Warming up by the fire in the morning.

Colossal marshmallows. Another must.

These two love being on the water.

One of the best things that happened on the whole trip was when Camden announced he was going to read poetry to us by the camp fire,  from his Shel Silversteen book. Doesn't get any better than that.

The Maiden Voyage of the Glamper

Remember my little camper? After its initial 3-mile trip to my sister-in-law's house a couple of years ago, it never moved again, sadly. While Steve was deployed, the boys and I only managed back yard camp outs. Then, last summer, my beloved Glamper* sprung a leak. Leaks would be more accurate., So, we tilted it up, covered it with a tarp, and I went about my business. A couple of weeks ago, when the threat of any rain vanished, I uncovered it. I did some research on how to repair the roof, and that will be tackled this coming weekend.

In the meantime, we had reservations at Sagehen Reservoir this past weekend. The boys left on Friday with the Sweet Dream in tow, and I stayed behind for my date with MaryJane and Meg on Saturday. After that was done, I packed my bags and headed out to meet up with my boys.

I got right to work unpacking my things and getting everything nice and cozy. I just love this little camper! Kudos to my manly husband for not saying anything, if he thinks I am a total nut. I think he realizes my need for girly things, in this life I lead that is overflowing with testosterone at every turn.

Steve tells me that it towed nicely, on the windy, narrow roads up to the reservoir. I got a chance to practice towing it on the way home, and it was easy-peasy. See that pink chenille bedspread? It use to belong to my beloved grandmother Violet. I think it is a perfect addition.

See that bizarre ramp? Well, I got this trailer for next to nothing - - it was previously owned by someone who traveled the state, selling jewelry at flea markets. This was what he used to haul his wares. The inside was completely empty for storage, and he had installed this ramp so that he could wheel his carts of items in and out of the trailer with ease. While I would prefer that it wasn't there, I use it to my advantage. I hung a sheer curtain in front of it, and when there is a need for some cross-ventilation, I just drop it down. Works like a charm!

We had the best time camping (more about that, tomorrow), and I can just tell that this little camper is going to get lots of mileage.

FYI:  Glamper = Glamour + Camper  :)

Family Car Camping, Take 1

So...Steve and I ventured out on our first car camping trip with the boys (and since we've been married!) over the weekend. We decided to just do an overnight, in case it was a total disaster. I'm happy to report that although there were a few bumps in the road (nothing major, but what you'd expect when camping with an almost-two-year old and a five-year-old), we all had a great time, and can't wait to do it again. Steve is more of a backpacking/hiking camper. As for me, I did some car camping with my parents, when I was really little. So car camping was a relatively new adventure for us. After lunch yesterday, we headed for Sage Hen Reservoir, in the Boise National Forest. We were thinking the campground would be mostly empty, since it was a Sunday afternoon, but in fact there were only a handful of sites available. We found a nice one, set up camp, and the adventures began. Steve and Camden did some fishing...

...while I kept tight reigns on Griffin, who stood on the dock saying, "I get in pool now!"

I had fun making dinner on the camp stove, but had even more fun eating s'mores...

...and then sitting by the fire with Steve after the little guys had gone to bed...

...although one of them didn't stay in bed for long. Camden re-emerged from the tent, right around the time that Steve remembered that we'd packed some Jiffy-Pop...

Then it was off to bed, where neither Steve nor I got much sleep, but got up the next morning, still so happy that we'd taken the plunge. Now we are both hooked, and look forward to going again in a couple of weeks. Mind you, I kept a running list while we were away...little tweaks to supplies and packing, so things should go even more smoothly the next time.

Oh, and I can't end without including some of the endless beauty of Idaho...

P.S. Camden is watching me type, and wanted me to include this picture that he took of his dad. He likes to call this one, "Floating Head":