Fifteen years ago, Tyler and I started dating. As many of your know, we met at summer camp and Tyler finally took notice of me the year of our Leadership II Trip on the Missinaibi River. We grew up camping (Tyler more than me), and since 1999 we have been camping together. Well, thanks to some new camping equipment, we were able to take our family into the wilderness for four days and three nights.
We had a lovely trip. We stayed in a meadow (the walk-in sites) at Rathtrevor Provincial Park. For the first night, we arrived, set-up our tent, made a yummy stir-fry with quinoa, and roasted marshmallows on the fire. It had been a while since the last time I had had s'mores! These vegan marshmallows are amazing!
Shay was right at home! (We might have the cutest toddler ever)
He was pretty good about not going near the fire.
Shay had no interest in s'mores but he was all over the crackers.
Finlay was pretty excited. About absolutely everything! Fire! Sugar! Outside! People to say 'hi' to as they walk by! Tent!
Shay has conquered walking in grass! The no-pants probably helped.
No words. This kid loves the woods. He was having flashbacks to living at camp for sure. He was pretending things and playing a lot but there was a lot of just looking at stuff and listening to sounds and other sensory experiences.
Beach. I had to read a lot for school so Ty took the kids on some private adventures. The next day we returned to the beach and Finlay flew his kite all by himself (like lift off and everything!).
There was something to climb so he climbed it!
So much beach. We brought sand toys.
It rained a little and it was just lovely to be in our warm and dry tent and listen to it come down. Rain gear was out for breakfast because of the wet grass but we didn't really encounter any rain during the day.
Coffee and apples before breakfast.
Just standing between two trees and 'thinking.'
Coral root.
Fin listening to sticks break.
Riding his 'horse-sleigh.'
Dew drops.
The playgrounds (plural) were very attractive to the kids. Ty and I are not huge fans but we couldn't help but oblige. It makes them so happy!
And there is exercise and learning and other kids to interact with...
Other kids were the challenge on the trip. Fin is totally obsessed with older kids and wanted to play with every one he saw. Unfortunately, older kids don't seem interested in playing with Fin. It can be heartbreaking but it is also understandable. I am looking at a pre-school for September that would have him be the youngest in the group, so maybe that will work out and fill that void.
It was just a wonderful trip and we can't wait to do it again soon! We are already talking about what sorts of more back-country trips we might manage with kids this age. Campgrounds are great for families, though! Tyler and I talked a lot about that weekend 15 years ago and what our teenaged selves would make of our little family camping trip. We felt really in our element and the kids seemed comfortable as well! They slept well and even went to bed early one night so Ty and I could toast to our accomplishments and the years gone by.
How lucky are we?
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