First Backpacking Trip

I can't believe this was Holden's first trip! We have tried before but the prospect seemed daunting to me...And not sure if you can really call a 1 mile hike in backpacking:-) But we packed in all our gear and there were no restrooms except good old nature!



He had SO much fun...I can't believe it...he didn't even mind the small tent:-) We camped right on the water it was great! Although a little tough keeping him from wanting to take a swim in the cold evening or any other time we weren't ready to jump in!




He loves camping...loved the bugs, dirt, sticks, rocks...pretty much everything...except sleeping in the tent...this boy likes his bed...oh my...but it was better than the last camping trip so I guess I will take improvement...probably means we need to do it more!

We rolled in about dinner time, set up camp had some fine camping food...and then settled in to watch the sunset and then the stars all with our hot tea right on the lake...it was so quiet you could see the stars and the moon reflected in the lake...

Then we headed to bed...it actually wasn't terrible but Holden moves a lot at night and I sleep very lightly...but you know we were camping...the only time I sleep well when camping is when I have exhausted myself hiking or something:-)

How lucky am I that I got to wake up to the above view! If you look closely you can see Tom in the background:-) My two guys! I love it!



One of Holden's favorite things about camping is the "camping water" aka the Camelbak...He loves drinking out of that! we have already had to replace the mouth part once because you know telling a 2 year old to bite but not chew...tough concept...

We were camping at Long Lake...I tell you we are so lucky that we have such beautiful scenery only an hour or 3 away:-) this is a little over 2 hours from our house...which proved to be about Holden's limit that day!

There was no campfire due to fire season but Holden didn't seem to mind...



I got to stay in the tent and relax while the boys got us some water and enjoyed the lake:-) Tom showed Holden how to filter the water, and make mommy tea:-)



Then we ventured out for a hike...it was fun! We hiked way above the lake and got to a point where we could see the other surrounding lakes...Holden rode in the backpack most of the way...the ten minutes he was out of the backpack he fell and scraped his leg...but luckily Daddy had his tape at the ready and Holden got a camping band aid, which he refused to take off for days! It literally wore off...and the scrape didn't really NEED a band aid...but Band aid's tend to make the tears stop...and he got to tell everyone about his "camping owie"...

Beautiful scenery...

After the hike we came back had a little lunch and then Tom and Holden went for a swim...I remember Holden's suit but of course forgot mine...oh well!

Then we headed home...the hike in was easy the hike out was a bit tougher...BUT fun! I can't wait to do it again!