Don’t ya love the white socks and sandals?
We used to be campers. It started when the kids were little, probably around 1995. Patrick was 6 and Trevor was 3. (Ah… next year they will be 26 and 23!) Back then we used a tent. These pictures were taken on our very first camping trip in Colorado. No glamping here!
Little Patrick and Trevor on their first camping trip.
Honestly, I’m more of a hotel girl. Or at least glamping! Soon after our tent camping days, T’s dad gave us a cute little travel trailer. It was only about 18 feet, but we had a blast in that thing.
All electronics would be left behind. We had special camping games and toys. We also had special “camping music.” To this day, when anyone in our family hears Al Stewart, Simon and Garfunkle, James Taylor or Cat Stevens, we say, “hey, that’s camping music!”
We had our little trailer for about 10 years. We finally sold it because we really didn’t fit in it any more. But we have so many fun memories of camping in Colorado and the Texas Hill Country!
So, it’s been about eight years since we sold the camper, and we have not been camping since. That all changed last weekend. T recently bought a 2002 Volkswagen Eurovan with seats that make into a bed. It also has a table. (Believe it or not, such vehicles are consider super cool in Southern California!) T actually had a camper Vanagon during our early years together. Again… no glamping!
T and I used to cruise around in this back in the day.
So last Wednesday, he proudly announced that our camping days were back again. With no electrical or plumbing, mind you. And instead of two cute little boys, we’d be taking two cute little terriers!
Our fur babies. Ready for adventure!
This would be our first camping trip in California, and we were excited! We chose a campground about an hour from home in Idyllwild. We packed up our new little camping stove, some bedding, lanterns and an ice chest full of food and beverages, and that was about it! As we headed out of the desert, the palm trees gave way to towering pines. By the time we got situated it was almost dark.
We forgot the camp chairs. Lesson #1 when packing for camping. Never forget the chairs! But we made do with the half rotten picnic table and a big beach towel laid in front of a rock. We ate and we sang along to camping music (via Pandora rather than a cassette like in our earlier years!) We watched the stars. And we turned in early. T slept like a rock. I did not. But that’s okay. We were one little happy family in our VW van!
We awoke to an absolutely glorious morning! T promptly began heating the stove for our breakfast of bacon and eggs.
He likes to cook breakfast on camping trips. I think it’s because he likes to cook eggs in the bacon fat. Which I don’t. But I have to admit it’s quite yummy.
It was so wonderful just to hang out, relax and chat in this beautiful setting. Again… no glamping. BUT: amazing that this little slice of paradise is just an hour from home!
Rowdie and me, just chillin’. (In the camper. Remember? No chairs!)
After a while we packed things up and headed out for a hike with Rowdie and Pumbaa. They LOVE camping! Let’s face it; they aren’t up for glamping! The campground was just beautiful. On our hike, I even convinced T to help me gather pine cones and acorns to bring back for some fall decorating. More on that later this week!
On the way home we stopped to picnic at Lake Hemet. It’s next on our camping list.
Such a beautiful place and so close to home! Only a 1/2 hour away.
Pumbaa, thinking of taking a dip in the lake.
The boys had a blast trotting along the edge of the water.
On a mission.
This was Rowdie’s first time to be in a lake. He clearly enjoyed it!
We finally had to pick him up and carry him back to our picnic table where we could clean him up before getting back in the van. He was so dirty he looked more like a Cairn Terrier (like Pumbaa) than a Westie!
I have to admit, our little camping adventure was so much fun that I can’t wait to do it again! There’s something about getting away, unplugging and enjoying the quiet beauty of nature that God created. And who needs glamping anyways?
xoxo
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That looks lovely!
Thanks, Lori!
Looks like you guys and the pups had fun! Did they sleep in that bed with y’all?
Rowdie, like usual, slept with us. Pumbaa slept on the captain’s seat up front!
This looks so fun and cute!
Thanks Rachel!
Absolutely you have won my heart with your glamping blog. I am a hotel girl too with all the bells and room service, but you make me want to glamp!!!! I LOVE your blog!!
Sharman
Thanks for the encouragement, Sharman! We’ll have to go on a camping adventure someday!
I love this. Makes camping look fun and easy. Such a beautiful place. Enjoyed the play by play. Felt like I was there.
It WAS so beautiful, Meggan! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
How fun! Brings back lots of memories:) My favorite is the socks and sandals on those 3 cute boys! I am thoroughly enjoying your blogs especially so I can keep up with you! I keep passing your website to friends.
I love you tons!
Lorri
Oh, Lorri, that’s my favorite too!