Just returned from an awesome week (well 4 days really) camping with the family and our friends Bree and Davie and their baby Major.
We left Monday morning for Spring Canyon on Lake Roosevelt, with the hopes of getting a camping spot since the sites were first come, first served! and an even bigger challenge of finding two sites next to each other since we were going with friends and one of the sites needed to be big enough to accommodate a fifth wheel (unfortunately not ours). We found sites--not next to each other, but across, so it worked.
While Levi and David went to get the fifth wheel from Bree's grandparents, who live nearby in Electric City, Bree helped me set up our camp. As we were setting up the tent, I thought about putting on the rain fly, but Bree convinced me not to as it was in the high 90s and not a cloud in sight. After setting up camp, I took the girls down to the lake for some swimming. They both did swimming lessons this summer and were eager to show me what they had learned.
Since we are now a family of 5, we need a bigger tent. Last year we went and bought a bigger one, but the zipper was broken when we opened it up, we returned it. This year instead of another new tent, we decided to get a second small tent and let the girls sleep in their own tent. I wasn't sure how they would do in their own tent, but they were great!
The girls wanted to make s'mores, but it was too hot for a fire, so we convinced them to wait. It was a very hot night and I was glad that I hadn't put on the rain fly, as we had a little more ventilation without it. The top of the tent is open with a screen, so it allowed more air to flow through.
Tuesday was a day for more swimming and playing at the park. Levi and David went fishing and while Levi caught a couple small mouth bass, they were too small to keep. Fortunately it was a little cooler Tuesday night, but still too hot for a fire. The kids were dying to make s'mores again, so we used the propane cook stove instead!
That night I was suddenly awaken by a pounding noise. It took me a moment to realize that it was raining very hard. As I looked up at the opening at the top of the tent, I was taken back in time to the day we set-up and Bree saying the chances of needing the rain fly were almost non-existent! Ha ha! But it wasn't as bad as I thought. I couldn't feel much rain getting in the tent. Levi was next to me and was hogging the sleeping bag and had it totally covering him. Well, the temperature had dropped significantly because of the rain, and I was cold so I grabbed the bag from him. This was when I realized that even though I was not getting wet, Levi was getting soaked, since he was in the middle of the tent, directly under the opening. I waited for the rain to let up and the ran out of the tent in search of the rain fly. As I was outside, I realized I was not the only person struggling to get the rain fly on! I got it put on, just in time for the rain to stop completely. Oh well, Levi told me I probably didn't need to worry about it afterall, since the rain had stopped, but I wasn't about to go back outside to take it off! I'm glad I didn't, it rained off and on for the rest of the night!
Wednesday was to be Levi's last day of camping since he had to work that night! David had him talked in to calling in sick, but I told him that he should go to work and save his sick time for when he really was sick!
We went out in Bree and David's boat and found a secluded beach to play on and swim! Jett had such a blast swimming and kicking his little feet (while wearing his life jacket ofcourse). Kaidyn even took her life jacket off and worked on swimming without it. When we returned to camp, Bree's parents had arrived from Spokane, so we sat to visit with them and the girls decided to go play cards. A few minutes later I heard this blood curdling scream from Jayd. She had been stung by a bee! It was a first for her so I wasn't sure how she would react to the sting. We put ice on it and I cuddled her. It started to swell, so fortunately Bree had some Benedryl. She took that and passed out. I let her sleep it off and when she woke she was better. No swelling and you could hardly tell where it had stung her. Thank goodness! Then we played a little game of whiffle ball and then it was bedtime, and since Levi had left, the girls slept in the tent with me and Jett! (and it rained a little more, thankfully I left the rain fly on!)
Thursday comes and it is time to pack up and leave. Bree and David helped me load the truck and we're off, but not before on more time at the playground. They had a merry-go-round there, and Jayd was dying to play on it! So I spun the kids on it. Jett decided he wanted to get off, but I didn't get it stopped in time, so a more-or-less fell off, which wasn't too bad except that he fell face first right into a puddle of water--the only puddle anywhere around the toy--he must have planned it!
All-in-all a fun, and eventful, camping trip! Can't wait to do it again!!!!
***pictures to be posted as soon as I find the cord that connects my camera to my computer!
