Campsite Commuting

While the kids and I have been busy having fun, Paul's been going into the office everyday so we figured out a way for him to feel half way on vacation.

This beautiful campsite was reserved at Spruces up Big Cottonwood Canyon just 10 miles from Paul's office.  We set up just after work on Monday with enough sunlight for the kids to get their fill of adventure and play.  Then after wiping them all down with half a package of wipes we enjoyed cooking our dinner of hot dogs and kabobs over the fire.

Family Night was held around the camp fire as well and I don't know if it was the mesmerizing cracks of the fire or the crisp mountain air that contributed to an unusual reverence and attention from the kids but it wrapped our family in a warm closeness.    

All snuggled up like little puppies most of the kids fell right to sleep . Their sleep continued past 9:00 am completely undisturbed by the rest of us who's night was not so restful.

We were short one sleeping bag and unprepared for 39 degrees.  Baby George was wrapped in my sweatshirt but Henry refused to be contained by a shared sleeping bag.  Both of them cried for what seemed like most the night.  Paul wrapped Henry in his puffy vest and held him close enough to keep warm and finally settled.  So we did get some some rest here and there.  During the in between times it was a treat to stare up at the stars and pine trees above us.

I love sleeping outside because I always have great dreams.  This time was no different so although I didn't get much sleep I did have pleasant dreams, so much so I actually woke up laughing.

By 6:00 am there was no sense wrestling Henry back to sleep so Paul took off with him in the Kelty backpack for an early morning hike. When it was time to wake the older kids I did so through the smell of bacon over the fire.

Meanwhile Paul got a head start on his day at the office.  When we drove him back down there he brought in with him a trail of campfire smell.  There is a shower at work though so by the time we picked him back up again in the late afternoon no one would have guessed he was on a little camping excursion.

We actually reserved two nights but only attempted one.  With dental appointments at 8 am the next morning and more than a couple of hours of sleep to catch up on we retreated back to my parents by 9:00 pm.  The kids were kicking and screaming as we packed back into the van but we assured them there would be many family camping trips to enjoy in the future.