Monday, July 9, 2012

Lilly turns numero uno and details of first family williamson camping trip

For about a year now, we've (mostly I've) been mulling over the pros and cons of a true camp trailer; to assist us with our need, wants (and weaknesses) in getting "OUTSIDE".

Other options we are considering:
Popup and Big Tent. 


Friends with similar issues all over town are also in the same boat and have chosen any of all the options, including the ones where you rent a forest cabin and ditch the whole camping concept, and the just don't- until-they-get-older, option.

Using our daughters and ourselves as guinea pigs, we used Lilly's first birthday as an impetous to test one out the camper trailer option.

How did it go? Well, we rented the trailer for 5 days and are back after 3....that should tell you something. After a family survey on the 3 hour ride home, here is what I discerned.

Lilly: no comment, sleeping. Were she awake she would most likely communicate (with her eyes) she is only just one after all: "I have a fever, mom. Doesn't that tell you something?"

Emma: "Bunk beds are the greatest. Camping is the greatest. I love hot cocoa and trailers!"

Dad: "Wasn't truly fun, relaxing or restive. And won't be for at least another thee years...But am game for more torture. Bring it on." He actually just said "Well" and then grimaced. So I am inferring, paraphrasing as well as embellishing here.


Regardless, we all managed to smile. Emma most of all and I guess me second. It is amazing how much discomfort I will tolerate (and actually enjoy) for the sake of being outside and away from the daily routine. 





Lilly and Emma certainly had fun together. 




Emma was the intrepid adventurer. We had taken it down by now (Lilly had a fever, wasn't sleeping and was crying A LOT) as we needed to head home. But, Emma had set up a research station underneath our tent awning; equipped, table and chair, along with a "Top Secret" notebook (for spells and potions and general concoctions), bug box and plant holder.


Emma heads out on one of her many discovery adventure forays (I was allowed along as photo-documentarian at large):


Emma's foray continues:


 As requested by Mom: a little reflection/contemplation time (it was good photo light):


Emma takes time out for a little ballet posing:




Here are some of the "discoveries" she made. A few of which, did or did not, make it back to the research table.


A secret sage garden:


"I-Spy-ish" (among the pine cones) elk poop:



Numerous interesting flowers and trees:



And a set of stone flies (obtained with help by Dad from small eddy near our campsite):











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