Camping Adventures

We took Cora on her first camping trip last week. Brad and I are on a search for a nearby camping area that has hiking and fishing/water easily accessible. So we went to three different camping areas - I think all were in national forests. We were hoping to stay more than one night at at least one of the campsites, but the first was cold, buggy and not what we had hoped for, the second was right between a fast flowing creek (so no fishing) and a busy wilderness access road...and it rained the whole time we were there. The third was absolutely beautiful, quite, bug-free with a fishable creek and hiking available. Oh, I need to clarify. There were no flying bugs - but the grass was crawling with tiny spiders and I found a tick on my pants while hiking. I was doing OK with the spider thing but when I felt a poke on my leg and looked to find a tick on my pants (which I believe was trying to bite me)it totally gave me the willies. Ick! So the last two nights we went to the cabin.

None of the campsites were what we were hoping for - the last was the best option except for the "nearby" qualification. It would be about 3 hours from home, and for all the work we might as well just go to the cabin, then!

Anyway, we were glad we gave it a shot and experienced camping with an infant. She was a trooper and did really well. Our biggest concerns were mosquitoes and the cold nights. She slept well in the tent at night and took a few naps in the tent and a few in the jeep. It was a bit of a relief to get to the cabin and be able to let her lie on the floor and not worry about bugs crawling on her or if she was warm enough. We know for the future that mid-June is still a little chilly in the higher elevations.

Cute story: When we arrived at the first campground we left Cora in her carseat while we unloaded the Jeep. She was facing the rear, of course, and when Brad opened up the hatch to get the gear out of the back she giggled at him. Then every time he'd go back to get more gear she'd giggle some more. She must have thought it was funny to see daddy in the back of the jeep!

She also laughed at Brad in the cabin. He dressed in a blaze orange sweatshirt, hat and face mask, then went and sat in front of Cora and started talking to her. She just started giggling like crazy! So adorable.

We love those moments when she surprises us with giggles. We always think we're funny, but she doesn't always laugh when we think we're being funny. So when she does start giggling we both just melt and start laughing, too. What a wonderful sound! It truly is the most contagious laughter I've ever heard.

Here's a link to some pictures. You'll have to copy and paste the address.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29391&l=4826c&id=592975435