Tag Archives: camping

10/40 – on asking for what I need

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Mother’s Day is complicated for so many folks…for our family, it’s been a bit of a historical minefield of triggers, memories, and confusing feelings. Click here for a post I did about this confusion a few years back. I love images like the one below that get posted on social media to recognize both the beauty and the pain that is Mother’s Day.

Last year, for Mother’s Day, I requested a solo weekend in our trailer as a weekend to breathe, rest, have no motherly duties or motherly guilt for not doing the duties….and it was EVERYTHING. An important moment in my life to reinforce that hard work, whether professional, physical or emotional….has to be counterbalanced with REST. I recalled that weekend at many stressful moments during this past year, reminding myself to take time to rest and fill up my own cup from within and from a place of stillness and quiet.

I am excited to repeat this excursion again this coming weekend at one of our favorite campgrounds….and the timing couldn’t be any better for my chaos filled brain, heart, and body.

So, if you’re still reading, here is your daily dose of encouragement to take the time, get away, shut your door, go fo that walk….and do what you need to in asking for what you need. And a cute pic of me with my Wonders after a delicious Mother’s Day breakfast (followed by an equally delicious 2 hour nap at home).

On our favorite campgrounds

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When we first got our travel trailer, I had a few people suggest some gems of campgrounds (some on this very list – thank you Uncle Jimmy) and it was so helpful to us. Thought some of you might be interested as well….so here ya go!

  1. Pioneer Trails – Anacortes, WA
    What we love about this private RV park – it’s open year round, is close to both Anacortes and Deception Pass (and a ton of great hiking trails), has a workout room and is so clean and quiet. There has always been spots available even on a short notice reservation.

2. Washington Park – Anacortes WA
This one is a city owned park but is on a great walking/biking loop. It has beautiful views of the islands and feels like you’re camping in the middle of the forest. This is where we took our maiden voyage in our trailer so it holds a special place in my heart. It’s also super close to the ferry terminal if you want to take a day trip to one of the islands (we love Friday Harbor!).

3. Sun Lakes Resort – Coulee City, WA
The site of our annual Fire Family campout. We love the set up here with a sprawling campground (and cabins if that’s your thing). Great place for walks, bike rides, and beautiful hills surrounding the lake. The waterfront beach is not huge so a better option if you have a boat or other water vehicles. Don’t make the mistake of packing too much food because they’re waterfront food stand is 10/10 (mocha milkshakes, fries, and even biscuits and gravy for breakfast).

The view of Sun Lakes Resort from above.

4. Skokomish Park – Hoodsport, WA
We stumbled upon this park last summer and wished we had stayed longer. Great sites and a quick walk to Lake Cushman which was beautiful and quiet, especially with an amazing set of mountains surrounding. The boys loved jumping off the cliffs and I really appreciated quiet mornings on the paddle board!

Lake Cushman – a 3 second walk from our campsite.

5. Concrete KOA – Concrete, WA
The most family friendly park around. Great options for kiddos like a heated pool, jumping pillow and mini golf course. I also appreciate how close to home this park is and a quick drive anywhere you need to go.

6. Crescent Beach RV Park – Port Angeles, WA
This park was a pleasant surprise – you are parked right across from a sandy beach and it’s beautiful from sunrise to sunset, even in rainy PNW weather. There are also some great hiking trails close by with amazing views.

Wading through the bay at Crescent Beach.

Heading east –
7. Ravenwood RV Park (Silverwood) – Athol, ID
We have stayed at Silverwood campground before (and it was great and so convenient to the park) but happened on Ravenwood two summers ago and really appreciated the large pool. We weren’t going to Silverwood but there is a free shuttle which is a plus.

8. Missoula KOA – Missoula, MT
We stopped over just for one night here but it was one of the best KOA’s we’ve seen in our trailer days. Has a fun pool and two hot tubs, plus some fun motor vehicles to rent and drive around the park. This KOA had a variety of sites for any type of camping – the cabins and tent sites looked amazing. They also had an indoor pool and some other great group camping spaces and gathering places.

9. Fairmont RV Resort – Anaconda, MT
We stayed at the Fairmont resort two summers ago and fell in love with the hot springs pools, amazing hot tub, huge water slide for the kiddos and indoor pools when the weather wasn’t great. When we made our reservation, we had no idea there was an RV park right down the road that gave you free admittance to the pools when you stayed there! We plan on heading here for Spring Break and we’re excited!

View of the pool, hot tub, and massive water slide at Fairmont.

On 9 years

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Getting married in our late 20s meant we had some stuff to work out in our early relationship. Some past patterns and hurts that showed up early and threatened our relationship in big ways….I am so glad those hurts stretched us, made us vulnerable, and got us into therapy because it built two individual humans strong enough to endure what was to come.

The last two years have included some dark and hard tunnels. And I respect and love this man for blindly walking through them with me hand in hand….without knowing when the light will come.

On my solo camping weekend

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I have been dreaming about a solo camping retreat for a while….and Mother’s Day seemed to the perfect weekend to ask for it. My hubby transported the trailer back and forth and I got to enjoy an entire weekend of my own food that I enjoy, fire and walk schedules when I wanted to do them, and the entire stereo only playing songs I enjoyed! It was glorious.

My husband did call once for a parenting decision around game time and I promptly gave him authority and the experience of being the bad guy and hung up – no “Mothering” for me this weekend!!! (He was thrilled I am sure).

Walking along the beach at sunsets is always something I want to do while we’re camping and everyone else is always wanting S’mores time at the campfire. So this was perfect!!!
The two ginger kittens thoroughly enjoyed their time as well.

For a brief time in my 20’s, I lived alone in a small one-bedroom apartment. Many folks told me I would hate it due to me being so social…..but in contrast, I really loved living alone and miss it sometimes. Although I am fairly extroverted, I highly value quiet time, actual silence and being in charge of my own space (and consequent mess) so this weekend was a great little refresher back to that life. With full time school underway, this weekend was a great way to replenish my soul and energy for the homestretch to summer!

If you are a camping family and have been thinking about something like this, I HIGHLY recommend. It was easy for my hubs to pull off and I felt a huge shift in my energy and mood afterwards. I also think a few terrific lady campers all lined up in a row could make for a run weekend as well (wink wink…..let’s make it happen).

March Faves

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Wow – it is pretty amazing to think this month marked one year since school (and the community) shut down to slow down the spread of Covid-19. We were in a dark place within our family this time last year….so I’m happy to look back on March 2021 with some positive and happy memories of life together with others.

Celebrating our last home game and our two very special seniors, Jamie and Libby. Nothing was normal for these two as they had to sacrifice many senior traditions due to Covid – but not this one. Our entire program contributed to make their night super special – that ended with a big win against Nooksack, their last memory at our home court.

Our first camping trip of the season – these sunsets, admiring WonderBOY growing and maturing while we chat at the fires, time to slow down, read and cuddle with our camping kitties.

I got to cash in two gift certificates to a local small-business, Kara’s Beauty Barn, and enjoyed the most delightful facial (and took advantage for their sauna)….perfect relaxing reward for the end of volleyball season!

And the official pick up for her cap and gown on the last day of March….in WonderGIRL’s words, “Well this makes it real now.”

On the link between camping

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….and this last year in our global Pandemic.

Obviously, we are a hardcore camping family and love to go in all seasons. Some of the things we love about camping is actually some of the perks I have appreciated about the pandemic this past year and how it has influenced our pace of life and activity choices. I love that we have been forced to slow our pace of life down…with activities cancelled and so many places closed, we stayed at home a bit more and had to utilize the resources that we ALREADY had to enjoy, entertain, organize, etc.

This past year, rest and recovery was ENCOURAGED (versus shamed and an afterthought for many). And the main entertainment and activity was just being together. Oh ya and of course a renewed appreciation for the companionship of our furry friends.

And perhaps the greatest Pandemic perk – the idea that NATURE is always open. Walks, hikes, pretty sunsets, camping trips…..the absolute wonder and beauty of the outside really struck me this past year and I want to keep that in my heart and in my priorities moving forward.

My little man loves being outdoors and we love being there with him!

What are some of the “rememberings” of this past year that you want to keep as part of your routine and schedule moving forward?

On our first visit to Yellowstone

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And I say first, because we have already started planning our next trip back!!

Day (night)1 highlights – Gibbon Falls date night (since the kiddos were both asleep), Artists Paintpots loop (loved this one!), grizzly and bison sightings and Firehole loop. Excited for a full day in the park tomorrow!

Day 2 Yellowstone adventures – Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic and all sorts of other beautiful scenery (including Scott gazing at elk more romantically than he looks at me).

Day 3 Yellowstone highlights – Norris Geyser Basin, south rim trail of Grand Canyon of YS, mammoth springs and a quick stop to play in the river while Kenz and her sore back rested after a LONG but beautiful day.

Here are a few other highlights from my over-instagramming during these couple of days….

  • Plan for next trip – more hikes!
  • The wait was worth it for this!
  • Hehe….

We can’t wait to go back once WonderGIRL’s back is in better shape – and if you’re reading this and planning a trip….my BIG recommendation would be to download the GYPSY app. It acts as a tour guide in the car with some Yellowstone information but also gives you some travel tips along the way – both myself and the kiddos loved this part and it works at all national parks!

We also loved exploring the town of West Yellowstone as well and did a little shopping, eating, hanging out at Lake Hepgen throughout our time here. What a wonderful pitstop on this epic road trip adventure and hopefully we’ll get back here as soon as we can!

On the magic of repeating….

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Back when our wonders were still in foster care, we tried to create memories that they could cherish once they moved on or back to their forever family. We wanted to fill their worlds with wonder and joy and the innocent excitement of childhood that they had missed out on in their early years.

And then time passed….and more time passed….and we got to start repeating trips and traditions. And that is where the magic happens for me. Each repeat trip or activity feels like “normalcy” for our family and lays a foundational block in our family history and story that I certainly do not take for granted. Camping at Deception Pass is one of those repeat traditions that we almost didn’t go on this year due to crazy schedules but we found a spot and squeezed in a few days and I am so glad we did.BraveGIRL calls this shot “couple goals” and made us stand in front of the beautiful sunset for her (awwww teenagers).It was a joy introducing our new BraveGIRL to our camping tradition…..she entertained us nightly at the campfire with beautiful singing and scary campfire tales that had WonderBOY completely enthralled.I love watching Scott and his love of all things nature spill out onto the kiddos as they go exploring (sometimes my anxiety and dislike of messes keep me from enjoying these moments but I am working on that).P.S. If you have never gone camping at Deception Pass…..it is seriously the best. The lake to swim, the ocean to explore, the bajillion of trials in the trees????? It’s awesome and super close to us!!!

Camp Chelanigans

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My heart is full. My skin is burnt. Our kids are tired. Winning all around. Our camping week in photos:Our new tent was amazingly spacious and cozy all at the same time. We shall call it our camping condo from now on….all are welcome. Unlimited sand time is WonderBOYs happy place. Especially with his soulmate Mason by his side.
This little one got a bit homesick after a few days so a little extra down time was needed. Camp nap in the shade.Waterslide day!!!!
Firetime fun included smores, banana boats, playing with fire (supervised by our two firefighter Daddys), and some impromptu dance parties.Board game time at the table is my fave…. Isn’t it a camping miracle when everything fits back into the truck???? Love that feeling of accomplishment after packing up all of our big time fun into those itty bitty bags.

Camping Prep Party!

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Although I like to complain to others about my hubby working a 48-hour shift right before we leave to camping, I actually kind of like the camping prep stage (and I like doing it on my own with complete control too – don’t tell Scott). Being creative with meals, squeezing a lot of tent equipment into little spaces, and planning out fun activities for the kiddos feels creative and exciting to me. Here are a few hacks I’ve learned along the way to make things easier and less stressful when out in the wild Chelan city park.

THE FOOD –
I love all the camping food hacks and ideas that are out there and am excited to try a few this year. I prepped the Shrimp Boil Packets and think they’re going to taste so good with minimal effort to put them together.
Breakfast burritos are a must for us adults while the kiddos are enjoying their Cheerios and oatmeal – I like to put instant mashed potatoes with sausage, eggs, and cilantro in ours and then I add salsa when it’s done cooking over our morning fire.
Dinty Moore stew is a MUST for this girl – as a tradition from my childhood camping trips, I look forward to this tasty dinner served with cold milk and bread. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find it anywhere on our shopping excursions (4 different stores until this happy scene – I had tricked my littles into thinking that if we didn’t find it, we couldn’t go camping….I may feel minimal guilt about that little story).

THE PACKING –
In order for us to spend a week in a tent, I like to bring along lots of comfy bedding to make it feel like home to all of us. However, this takes up sooooo much room in our truck that we don’t have a lot of room for now that our little wonders are in the back and need space to move/sleep/entertain themselves. This year, I’m trying out vacuum seal bags to decrease the amount of space needed for these items. What you see in the photo below is ALL of our bedding – including pillows, comforters, AND all of our towels for the beach and showers. I am hoping that by the end of the trip we can use our air mattress pump to suck the air out but that could be a gamble so we’ll see what happens!

You know I can’t go anywhere without my oils. Last year, these came in handy for all the little bumps and bruises that come along with playing hard all day in the sun and water and now that I’ve condensed this little first aid kit into a small package, we can pack even more in!OTHER HACKS I’m trying this year –
Shoe Organizer in our Kitchen/Canopy area
Hand Washing Station at our table
Freezing water bottles and other items to keep the cooler going on a long, hot drive to Chelan

Do you have any genius tent camping ideas? I’d love to hear them and log them into my brain for our next trip!!!! Happy August everyone!