The epic camping trip I have waited 4 years for has come and gone, and it did not disappoint! Right back to site 1, and not even a tree had grown. NOTHING changed. Except the river. No longer does the Saco run close to our old site. During the big storms up north these past few years the course of the river changed. It now runs on the other side of the river bed. A pleasant journey across sun warmed river rocks. Cullen proved to be a stellar hiking and camping dog. He loved the fact that we brought his crate along, and thoroughly enjoyed his long and well deserved naps in its familiar coziness. Theo was well behaved at the bird sitter he boarded with for the 10 nights we were gone.
We were able to hike to the top of two mountains, into the woods for a fresh glimpse of Arathusa Falls, enjoy a FULL day at Storyland (where fantasy lives...), play in the river, lounge around the fire, indulge in epic card games (spades), hang out with great friends (who joined us at the campground for two nights), stop by our favorite old baseball card shop ("The Shop at the Top of The Stairs"), and last but not least...spend a few hours in a good ol' New Hampshire Walmart to re-stock supplies.
I LOVE these camping trips. I LOVE that we are all together in one tent. I LOVE that we are completely out of touch with the world. I LOVE that Scott does all the cooking when we are in the woods. I LOVE that I can light a fire first thing in the morning. I am already counting down to next year!
Oh! Almost forgot! We also managed to squeeze "Bounce House Day" in before the trip. It was such a blast at Gammy and Gampy's house! They had the perfect space for a 21 foot high water slide!
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These are a few pictures from a BBQ with Scott's old friends from college who live about an hour away from us here in Maine. |
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The best floats I have ever seen! |
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Mmmmm...... |
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Scott took the plunge! |
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Me. Cold water.... |
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Fiona. Too late. You're on your way down! |
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Airborne Ellie! |
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Meagan! |
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Theo, out to watch. |
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Running free at Gammy and Gampy's. |
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My babies. |
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Took them all of two minutes to fall asleep. |
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See the toad? |
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Grouse. |
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Naughty Dad! I hate when he goes out on ledges. |
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Cedar Wax Wing all the way up at the top. |
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Clear view of Mt. Washington. |
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Chef. With headlamp, headband. |
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Manipulating the Saco at our campsite to make rapids to ride. |
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Ethan and Yeva take it for a test ride. |
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Lots of splashing. |
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Scott P. got into the river rock moving. |
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My happy place. |
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Who's the funny guy squirting people with the cow udders???? |
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Polar Coaster!!! |
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Cullen soaking up morning tent snuggles. |
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Mt. Willard with friends. |
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Fiona, Ethan, Yeva and Zabel at the top of the mountain looking at pictures of Fiona, Ethan, Yeva and Zabel at the top of the mountain. |
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Arathusa Falls. |
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Cullen now gets Scott's hand-me-downs. |