Blue Tarp Camping

Wouldn't you know, the most beautiful, warm, sunny, hot summer I can remember in my life. And we spent our annual camping trip "blue tarp camping" (minus the blue tarps unfortunately- but some of our compatriots had some sweet set-ups). But regardless of the weather, we'll consider it a success, we managed to prevent Ashi from playing in the fire or licking the pit toilets. Wilderness conquered!
The lovely view-this was daytime too. Just a tad grey and dismal.
The ferry ride (the driest hour of the whole trip).Our sweet tent. This puppy was as big as my house! We borrowed it from one of my (big) loving Mormon co-workers. Let me tell you, those people have big tents! Everyone had their own bedroom. And the screen porch was very handy when it came time to cook in the rain.You can see Auntie cookin' up the viddles behind Ashi. He's the reason we brought such monster accommodations. The pack 'n play was a necessity- Ashi cannot sleep uncontained. Doesn't this photo just speak volumes about the joy of camping in the NW?
Mmmm, camp food! Christian discovered the joys of Chili on Fritos. And Ashi will eat anything that's in his Mama's bowl. There's something extra delicious about someone else's lunch.Ashi entertained himself, while Christian rode the circuit (up and down the hill from the woods). We brought the bike trailer, but really didn't use it much for the trek into the village. What kid wants to sit in the trailer when they can ride on the handlebars instead?
Christian does better and better on the ride to the village each year, I was ashamed at how far he was leaving me in the dust the whole time! I wish we'd gotten a photo of Christian riding his bike, it would have come in handy the following week when we were filling out the police report for it's untimely disappearance.And we finished off with the obligatory baseball game.

This year was a lot more about checking everything off the list than really enjoying it all. We took our hike (in the rain- and rushed back along a service road to get home), cooked our usual foods, built the fire and roasted the marshmallows, played (briefly) on the beach, rode bikes to town (stopping at the roadside coolers for a water break), and played baseball.

But it was a very short trip, barely more than 24 hours. Next year it will be a lot more fun when Ashi is a bit more predictable and able to join in the fun (instead of simply adding to the chaos).