Last weekend, we gathered up all our courage, filled the car and a trailer to the brim, and plunked the boys in the car for their first camping trip at MacKerricher Beach in Fort Bragg.
We shared the campsite with our friends, the Yellands, and their 4.5 year old son (Jack) and 1 year old daughter (Genevieve). We were there for four days, and three nights. The weather was beautiful, if a bit chilly at night (see pics of boys dressed up in 5 layers of fleece), and the boys got to experience many firsts, including first bite of ice cream, first night in a tent, first time at the beach, first bite of sand, and first campfire.
They really love being outdoors, and had a ball crawling around the campsite, and sticking sticks, dirt, and leaves in their mouths.
Activities during the trip included riding our bikes (babies in the trailer) into Ft. Bragg for some homemade ice cream (which Oliver loved!), relaxing on the beach, going for hikes/walks, and playing at the campsite.
The only problem we encountered was on the drive home, which took us 9 hours, because we had to keep stopping to let the boys out to play and eat. Now that they're mobile, they aren't happy being confined to their carseats, and Noah screamed for the last hour and a half.
Lesson learned: Camping is a ball, but find somewhere closer until they're old enough to watch spongebob on the iPad. Since I'm against watching TV until after 2 years, that means we'll have plenty of time to explore camping spots right in our own backyard (i.e. Lassen, Castle Craggs, etc.). I can't wait to go again!
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| Stephen, Noah, Oliver, Jack and Genna around the campfire |
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| Brittany holding Oliver, who's trying to eat her zipper |
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| Jack was great at entertaining the boys! |
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| Browsing the books in Ft. Bragg. Noah loves being up high in the hiking backpack. |
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| Ahh...the beach! |
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| Noah sticking his toes in the sand for the first time! |
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| Sleepy after a day at the beach! |
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| Noah mesmerized by the campfire |
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| All wrapped up in the morning! |
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| Picnic lunch on the bluffs |
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Eating in the great outdoors!
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| One of our MANY stops on the way back home... |
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| Rest stop on the way there. Note how Noah uses Oliver as an obstacle course... |
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| Cuddling in the tent in the morning |
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| Bike trail from campground to Fort Bragg |
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| Evening walk around the ocean (boys are in backpacks asleep) |
you guys are awesome for taking such an adventure! and the boys are adorable as always! Can't wait to see you in August!!!
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