Smith River Camp '09

Where to begin :0) We just got back from year four of Smith River Camp (I think!). It was a great time despite the poor weather and some last minute changes in the plan. Our old faithful friends were going to go with us but since Aimee had chemo last week she wasn't quite up for it and so they took the year off. As we packed up our stuff Levi called to check in with his parents and guess what!? They decided to join us for camp this year! It was GREAT to have an extra set of hands and all the energy that Kay brings on for events like camping. I still have NO idea where all that energy comes from! I sure do appreciate it though when I am trying to entertain Linc with sticks and rocks for the umpteenth time and she comes along ready to make "Mr. Potato Head's " with flowers and leaves, play ball, and a ton of other creative games that she manages to come out of nowhere with. It's awesome!! We made it to camp, "THE" camp, the same one every year and if it were ever taken I am afraid I would have to throw a big giant fit and then beg, plead and potentially pay off whoever was occupying "THE" spot so that Smith River Camp might proceed without change. Have I mentioned I hate change... I do. We pulled out the trusty tent, set up tables, cleaned the home made porta' potty that was added to camp a year ago by unknown sources (sounds scary but it was a welcomed addition and is surprisingly sophisticated!) and got dinner going. Levi decided to cast a few and within a minute he had caught two trout! He astounds me with that fishin' business!! The weather was already questionable but no rain so we were happy campers. Thursday was pretty nice weather with some sun breaks that allowed it to warm up a bit. We went for a drive and a swim in a helo-pool Levi found amidst scouting and driving the meandering logging roads. We headed back to camp, cooked up some dinner and Bill and Kay arrived! Friday, we went for another drive so that Bill could get some fishing done and then back to the helo-pool since it was a nicer, warmer day. Linc swam a bit but wasn't nearly as interested in it as he has been in the past. We enjoyed the day, relaxing, napping, eating and talking. I love camping with Levi's parents... I get to hear all the childhood stories and tales. It's pretty funny :0) Friday night it RAINED! HARD! Our tent leaked and Levi's sleeping bag took the brunt of it but luckily it didn't soak through. Saturday was a mix of rain and clouds. Levi and Bill went for a little hike and caught a few more trout. The fish were biting wonderfully and they had a really good time. Sunday morning we decided to let everything dry out a bit before breaking camp so we headed off for another drive and some more fishing. Unfortunately while we were out it rained more, and more, and more! We got back to camp slept for a while :0) And then decided it was time to go. We threw all of our wet gear in the trailer and off we went, home bound and well rested! Lincoln loved every bit of it. He slept great and ate all the "Nacks" he could stomach. He loved camping food :0) The baby and I did pretty well, sleeping was rough as expected but we were able to relax during the day and that helped. I remembered, while we were setting up the tent last year, how I carried Linc the entire time on my back because he couldn't walk yet. Then I remembered the month long elk camp... ug. I do enjoy a good camp but I am a bit partial to camping in our Smith River spot, elk camp was an empty landing off a logging road filled with Elk "sign" (aka poop), no water AT ALL, 45 minutes from the nearest paved anything and teeming with flies... GROSS! And Linc had to crawl through it all. That being said I am happy baby number two buys me a bit of camping leniency during elk season this year :0) AND I am definitely looking forward to Smith River Camp '10!!!

A fun hike;
One of the many trout that Bill caught;

Having fun;

Swimming;

Grandma Kay showing just how energetic she is! Linc found a perfect walking stick for himself and grandma Kay found a tree :0) Lincoln was pretty impressed!!

Learning how to work the squirt guns... mischeif followed :0)

Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head

Linc always has an interesting bath tub at camp. Last year it was a cool garden wagon, this year was an old cooler with no lid... I think we are going downhill!

The annual "I am man, must chop down trees and brush" event;

Notice, these two pictures below look strangely similar:

And then there is this;

It happens every year and every year it blesses my heart more :0)

Here's one of Levi's many trout:

It was a great trip and I learned that the best thing about having a fancy camera is that no one knows how to use it to capture me!! Hahaha! You'll never catch me!