I had so many things to share last week - the girls' growing interest in soccer, the downside of Facebook, events leading to my commitment NEVER to darken the doorstep of Toyota of Santa Maria EVER again, the trailer rewiring project (AND new back porch light - woo hoo!) - but all the stress of last week, all the concerns of the day, were set aside by a quick trip north to Big Sur for a camping trip with my brother and his family. (For the record, the park's employees, who must be really stressed given the state's current economic condition, were wonderfully mellow, patient, helpful, knowlegeable and friendly. The park's particular hostess, however, was rude, not in any way helpful and, as far as I'm concerned, could go the way of the Dodo bird - talk about a TRUE waste of resources!)
Originally, we had hoped to camp in the Sierra this summer. We've done it a few times, and it's been educational and interesting and exhausting and uplifting - all in one fell swoop. That first year was a little rough. They had four of their own children in tow, plus a teen guest. Their youngest was not 2 yet, and the kids hadn't camped much. The next year the kids settled in to camp in short order, but rain forced them home early. Last year, we didn't connect in large part because the girls and I took the big trip which trampled all over our usual camping date week with their family. This year, we planned too late to get one of our favorite campgrounds, so we jumped in on their plans for Big Sur. (Thanks for welcoming us to join you!)
M&A have been camping a lot more with their kids in the past couple of years, and everyone is clearly more comfortable with living together in the great outdoors and all the discomfort that can come with it. It was so great this trip to see all the kids working together, cooperating of their own accord on the heavy lifting, digging holes in the dirt, getting dusty, climbing trees, running amok, playing "telephone" and the stick game and the scissors game around the fire where s'mores flowed freely. The adults had some time to visit. We all enjoyed a short, but rather technical hike up the creek to a waterfall and a full day spent lounging and floating and careening down the creek. The weather was wonderful and the company just gets better and better with each passing year.
Thanks, M&A and Newfound Friends, for the break from all things everyday!
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