Walter Family Whimsy: We finally went camping!

We have been wanting to take the kids camping for the longest time, but life has been too insane these last couple of years. Now that things are a little more settled, we thought we would give it a go. We drove up into the San Bernardino National Forest to a campground just 20 mi from Big Bear.

Camping in California is a bit different than camping in AZ. You have to have permits/passes just to go on a day hike and there are lots of bear in Big Bear (imagine that!) So, we had to first check in at a Ranger Station and then while camping, everything had to stay put away and out of sight in our vehicle to keep curious bear out of camp.

We had a great first day - the kids really enjoyed being in the mountains and forest and of coarse loved playing in the tent. We ate tin-foil dinners cooked perfectly by Dad, had some some-mores and enjoyed the campfire.

Then came bed time and all the fun and happiness ended! Cali would not sleep. It was horrible. She kept everyone awake - even the campers who were unfortunate enough to camp next to us! I ended up in the van with her where she screamed for hours and hours. She just wanted her bed. She finally fell asleep (passed out from crying, more likely) and I tried to sleep sitting up in the van.

By sunrise, I was a mess after having only dozed a few minutes here and there and from being all cramped up after sitting uncomfortably all night. Needless to say, I was done!

See how tired this baby was!!!

We packed up after breakfast and were about ready to go when...

we realized the battery in the van was dead. We had to go in search of a kind soul with jumper cables to give us a hand. We found a sweet old man who was willing to drive around to get cables and then drive over to help us out. It seems as though it is always the old men who can and are willing to help - what will we do when all those old men are gone?

Waiting for help to arrive!

We headed home terribly disappointed about not being unable to do the things we wanted to do. But, home is only an hour away so we made plans for day-trips to the mountains. (I'm still amazed that we were in a forest pitching a tent just an hour after leaving home. That is so awesome!) Another full-fledged camping trip will have to wait a few more years, I think! That is IF the kids can wait that long. Ellie and Justin LOVED camping (Rylie liked a few things but overall was not very impressed!) My Justin especially enjoyed the experience. He must be the most enthusiastic camper I've ever seen! He was excited about everything - every little chore, plant, bug, trail, etc. That was fun to watch. He doesn't need video games, he needs to be out collecting firewood.