Boys Backpacking Weekend

Tom and Leo headed out on Thursday night for their annual backpacking trip with Tom's friend Rich and his boys.  Usually they head to the mountains, but because of bad weather, they opted to go to the coast instead.  

Here's Leo in my jacket that is a bit too small for him.  He usually borrows this one of mine since it isn't fancy (so it doesn't matter if it gets damaged) but is still warm.  

Here's a selfie of the whole crew: Rich, Jacob, Tom, Eli and Leo

Enjoying some sun and exploring. 

It wasn't quiet as remote as their usual trips, but they had a great time.  I miss them while they're gone and worry about them, of course, but I'm also glad they get a chance to unplug and just spend quality time together.  
 

Annual backpacking trip

Leo and Tom headed out for the annual backpacking trip.  Tom has been doing this trip since before I met him.  But just last year was the first time they brought their sons along.  This year, Rich's younger son had a foot injury and didn't join them.  So it was just four of them.  

Here's Leo, Rich, Jacob and Tom as they head out on the trail.  

Here's the stunning location in Yosemite where they stayed. 

Leo in a scenic spot. 

Leo, Rich and Jacob.  

 I'm so glad they get to do this together.  Leo had to miss a day of school, but it's worth it for the time to unplug, enjoy nature and connect with their friends. 

Leo's first backpacking trip

Leo and Tom have been talking on and off about doing a backpacking trip.  They imagined something nearby with a relatively short hike to a good spot.  They hadn't made this plan a reality yet when Tom's friend Rich proposed a joint trip with his two boys.  The trip Rich suggested was quite a bit further from our house (near Yosemite), and involved a longer hike in (about three miles). Leo and Tom were up for this plan and got prepared. Leo used a rental pack from the sporting good store.  Both kids had Friday off from school for a planning day so it was the perfect time to go. 

Here he is trying it on in our driveway before heading out on Thursday afternoon. 

Some adjustments from Tom. 

Thursday night they stayed at a developed campground with bathrooms and the car just a few feet away. Rich and his boys arrived late that night.  Friday morning they registered their backcountry permit with the ranger station and headed out for the big hike. Here they are as they set out on the adventure. 

From left to right: Jacob, Rich, Eli, Tom and Leo. 
 

On Friday morning, Jacob's friend Jackson and his dad also joined the crew. Here are all the boys with Jackson on the far right. 

Off they went into the wilderness to spend two nights roughing it by a lake.  

They came home tired and dirty, but happy.  They enjoyed it a lot despite some of the hardships. Tom is an experienced backpacker, and he knew he could guide Leo through this adventure. Even though I knew this as well and I had total faith that Tom could handle just about anything that would come up, I was racked with worry pretty much the whole time.  I almost had a panic attack while they were packing up on Thursday.  Then, because they were in such a remote location, I didn't hear from them after about 6:30pm on Thursday night until Sunday late afternoon when they were finally back in cell phone range.  That's a long time to be out of communication with your child. Of course, I wouldn't be out of touch if I went with them but that won't ever happen.  This is not my kind of outing, but I'm so glad it's something they both enjoyed and can do together again in the future. 

Big Sur Camping 2014

Shew.  We survived another camping weekend.  There were some challenges this time around.  The grown-ups always struggle with sleep while camping and this trip was no different.  Serafina has been suffering from a cough since starting school and it really kicks into high gear at night.  And there were bugs.  Not just some bugs crawling around, but these really annoying flies in our eyes, mouths, ears.  It was pretty unpleasant.  

But look at these happy faces.  They just love camping.  

 We camped at Pfiffer State Park last year and I scoped out this particular campsite when were there.  It is a little off the main loop and there is a little path down to a private beach right on the river.  It was awesome.  When we were busy fixing dinner, we'd just send the kids down to play at the river.

Our first night, we were playing with glow sticks after dinner when we heard some snapping and then the loudest noise you could imagine.  A huge crash in the dark just a little ways from our campsite.  Tom went to see what happened and came back to bring us all over.  A huge tree had crashed down on a campsite, crushing a truck and breaking another tree on the way down.  Luckily, no one was hurt but the owners were understandably very shook up.  I went back in the morning to take a few pictures.  The rangers came to cut up the tree and the truck was still able to drive.

 On Saturday, we spent a little time and the beach and then I picked out a hike for us to do.  I thought it would be an easy little hike, but it turned out to be a multiple hour uphill trek.  I'm always amazed at how well my kids endure that type of challenge.  They are physically strong and very resilient.

Today we packed up and headed north towards home.  We stopped at Carmel River Beach.  It was a lovely beach and the weather was nice.  We had been enjoying it for a while when I heard someone behind me say there were whales out there.  I looked into the distance and saw the tell-tale blow-hole spray followed by a shimmer of black cresting the water.  It was amazing.  Tom got his binoculars and some lunch out of the car and we settled in to watch the show.  I don't think I've ever seen whales in California.  It was absolutely amazing.  

 Of course we had to stop at our favorite ice cream shop Marianne's on the way home.

 So tasty.

I took lots of pictures and you can find them here.

Big Sur Camping

Here's a link to the photo album.

Bumpy start to a great weekend

When I picked up Serafina from preschool on Wednesday, she was glassy-eyed and hot. She didn't want to ride her scooter home or even walk. I carried her part of the way since I felt so bad for her. I knew she had a fever without checking but I took her temp and it was 101.

She took it easy the rest of the day and woke up feverish on Thursday. By late morning she seemed better and even had a normal temperature before leaving to pick up her brother from school.

 But when we got home, she was burning hot and moaning. She was also listless so I checked her temperature and this is what I got...

Don't worry.  I didn't stop to take a picture before dealing with my feverish kid.  The thermometer displays the last temp taken when you turn it back on so I took this later that night.  Right after I got this reading, I put a cool cloth on her and called the doctor.  They manage to get me in right away.  She was given some medicine and an exam.  She was so pathetic; it broke my heart.  I don't remember the last time I saw one of my kids so sick.  Leo was dragged along for it all and was being a very good sport.  

They sent us home with no real answer but instructions to keep medicating and bring her back if something changed.  Turns out she didn't need any more medication.  Her fever never returned so that was the last (dramatic) hurrah.  

Here's the thing.  We made camping reservations for this weekend months ago after our last camping trip.  Since the summer trip wasn't all we wanted it to be, we decided to try again with reservations at a very nice spot.  I wasn't sure about bringing a sick kid; Tom was pretty sure that she wasn't a sick kid anymore.  It was hard to argue with him when she had been fever-free for almost 24 hours and was bouncing around like normal.  So we went ahead and went, but not before Leo got to participate in Fire Truck day at school.  He toured the fire trucks before I picked him up at 11:30. 

Then we headed down to Big Sur.

They were so happy to be there.  I was sure we made the right decision. 

We told Leo the camping trip was to celebrate his birthday instead of having a party.  As dirty and exhausting camping is, it is still easier than throwing a party for a six-year-old.

I made some pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and brought along a number "6" candle.  It was perfect.  Look at that smile.

I'll organize the pictures tomorrow and post a link to a photo album.

Camping Weekend in Monterey

We went camping last weekend despite not having reservations.  In California during the summer, reservations are pretty necessary.  We found out just how necessary during our six hour drive to the tip of Big Sur and back again.  Every possible place was full (even the "first come, first serve" spots we were hoping to nab), which was frustrating but the drive was very beautiful.   We made a stop at Point Lobos to walk around and see the ocean.  Tom was concentrating on finding us a place to stay.  He succeed!  It was pretty much a glorified parking lot in the middle of an upscale neighborhood in South Monterey.  But we were able to pitch a tent and there was a playground and open field that proved to be very fun in the evenings.  And there were s'mores which makes it all worth it.
Just ask Tom...

Saturday morning, we headed to Dennis the Menace park, which we've been to before.  We made a quick stop at a Pacific Grove beach and had some lunch.  Then we visited Point Lobos again because there was a lot more to explore.  On Sunday, we packed up but stopped at Seacliff State Beach on the way home.

I made a photo album of the best pictures.  I hope the link works and it is a good way to view the pictures.  It was easier than uploading them all to Blogger.

Camping and Gilroy Gardens

I knew I didn't want to have a birthday party for the kids this year. Parties are a lot of work and I knew I'd be busy with my responsibilities to the preschool.  I proposed a trip to Disneyland to celebrate the kids' birthdays.  I'm nostalgic about Disneyland because I visited the park quite a bit as a kid and young adult.  We lived close enough that we could hear the fireworks in the summer from our house.  But Tom said no.  I protested a bit, but he was right.  The kids are too young to fully appreciate it, Disneyland is a difficult place to visit, it's extremely expensive and it would end up being a lot of work and take us away from our regular lives (work and school) for too long a period.  I hate it when he's right.  He suggested camping.  Hmm...camping.  I don't hate camping, but I don't love it.  I did know that the kids would love it.  After I finished pouting about Disneyland, I agreed to go camping if we combined it with a local amusement park, Gilroy Gardens.

Thursday was absolutely insane.  I had to squeeze in two different store during the small sliver of time that both kids were in school, do laundry and pack, pack, pack.  We didn't want to forget something, but I didn't want to overpack either.  Tom is use to going out into the wilderness with just a backpack and his boots.  He was slightly horrified by our completely stuffed car, but we used almost everything we brought.

I was right about them loving it.  As soon as we got there, the kids were happy as pigs in filth.  Probably because the campsite was as filthy as a pig's pen.

Daddy set up our brand new tent.

We'll be getting a lot of use out of it over the years.  It is spacious and perfect.

The kids loved being it it but wanted to jump around like loons on the air beds.  We need those air beds intact; mom can't sleep on the hard ground, people.  Don't you love how most of the tent is mesh, so it's like sleeping outside without the bugs?

First camping lunch.

Not sure why Serafina is shirtless.

I tried to get Serafina to take a nap in the tent but she wasn't cooperating at all.  We decided to go out for a little hike instead.

Check out these happy campers.

Possibly my favorite picture ever.

Exercising.

Since the tent nap didn't work, I took one for the team and let her sleep in the pack.

Having fun in the dirt.

So, so dirty.

Baby wipes played a big part in our weekend.  But mostly, we just had to give up on any notion of cleanliness.

We would occasionally try to contain them and reduce the dirt, but it wasn't very successful.

Making dinner.

Relaxing around the campfire.

Someone is excited about s'mores.  I'm fine with s'mores.  They are a tasty treat and a camping requirement, but I'm all about a perfectly toasted marshmallow.  I think Tom will agree that on our second night I managed to toast up a perfect batch.  Heaven.  

He liked wearing Tom's old headlamp.  Unfortunately it didn't provide enough illumination to prevent him from tripping over a log in the dark and scratching up his face and lip.

Glow glasses.

Saturday we set out for a long hike.  Serafina did a lot of whining and wanted to be carried in the pack immediately.  We got her to walk a while, but I eventually gave in when we got close to our lunch spot.

We went from our campsite up to the amphitheater where the rangers hold talks in the evening.  My kids love an empty stage to ham it up.

We also explored the ruins of Henry Miller's summer home (the cattle baron, not the author).

When I was cajoling Serafina into walking during our hike, I promised she could get a ride on the way back.  We had a long slog ahead of us, but it was mostly downhill.  I'm use to carrying the kids since for a lot of years, they were lighter than the backpack with the water and food that Tom would carry.  But Serafina is getting heavy and after just a little while, I could tell she was about to fall asleep and that would make it impossible to switch her to Tom's back.  I needed to get rid of her because my body couldn't take carrying her anymore.  Tom took her for me, but when we were close to the campsite, he finally said he couldn't take it anymore either since his shoulders were aching.

Leo, on the other hand, was an amazing hiker.  He did over four miles round trip.  It was a hot day and he found this stick as we were preparing to head back and he carried/dragged the thing the whole way back to the campsite.  He did very little complaining, but he was really beat by the time we got back.  He got a little cranky and then mad at me for taking a splinter out of his hand.  To cheer him up, I took him to the shower with me.  I love showering at campsites because even though my clean state is fleeting, I feel human again for at least a bit.  Leo really enjoyed the shower too.  It was very novel to drive to a building that was all just showers and there was a mirror on the back of the door so he got to watch himself wash himself.

I'll be honest, I slept terribly both nights, but that's what camping is like, so I just accepted it.  Serafina had a little trouble the first night.  She is a squirmy sleeper and at one point, I reached out to check on her and her feet were where her head was suppose to be.  The second night she did better job staying in her sleeping bag, but she tends to fuss in her sleep and she would periodically reach out and smack me to make sure I was still there.  The temperature was perfect though.  We couldn't have asked for better weather.  It was just dirty.  Really, really dirty.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to just throw out all the socks the kids wore during the trip.

This morning, we packed up (not an easy undertaking) and headed to Gilroy Gardens.  I was very excited to eat garlic fries and take in this strange ode to agriculture.

We jumped right in and the kids rode the Artichoke Dip.

What's better after artichoke than a little garlic?

Daddy happy to spin us.  We weren't that happy about being spun.  

Leo was so happy to drive us around.

He took his job very seriously.  (This blog isn't sponsored by Coca-Cola)

Serafina wanted a chance to drive too, so we got in line for the two-seat cars and each kid got a chance to drive a parent.

Here's a happy kid on a floating boat ride.

Serafina was too short to ride the big roller coaster.  Leo was brave and rode it twice right in a row with Daddy.

After lunch, they spent a little time on some small rides and Tom and I enjoyed a break from the circular motion.

Oh, but our break didn't last long and I was stuck going in circles again.  Here they are boarding the hot air balloons.

Serafina enjoyed it much more than I did.

Uh-oh, someone started to get worn out.  Serafina just rested on the train ride.

We perked them up by walking under the waterfall, because there was more fun to be had.

He's not frowning because he has to wear that dirty lifejacket.  I think he was just sick of pictures.

"Why are we wearing these?"

For the paddle boats, of course.

The boys got stuck with a malfunctioning mallard, but Tom made it work.

The ladies were in a lovely (or kinda creepy, depending on how you feel about that eye staring at you) swan.  

Leo was smiling during another food break until he saw what we got.  Neither kid was a fan of the garlic fries, but Tom and I were very happy with them.  For those of you unfamiliar with your agricultural hot spots, Gilroy is known as the garlic capital of the world.  Another fun agricultural fact I learned: 100% of the country's artichokes are grown in California, 75% of which are grown in nearby Castroville.  

Daddy made up for it though.  What a great guy to end the day with giant ice cream cones.

Happy girl.

Serafina wanted to go on one last ride.  Since Leo didn't want to give up his cone and neither parent could bare the thought of going in circles again, Serafina rode the strawberry solo.

After that, we headed out.  I didn't feel compelled to buy a garlic hat, but it's good to know they are available if you need one.

Leo sucked down every last drop of that ice cream cone.

Then they both promptly passed out during the car ride home.  Once we got home, they vegged out on the couch for a while watching TV.  There is still a lot of cleaning up and unpacking to do, but we are at least settled back in.  Overall, it was an exhausting and dirty (did I mention that already?) trip, but it was wonderful.  It is great to completely unplug (no TV, cell phones, etc) and spend time with each other.  We'll be doing it again, just not too soon.