Camping in Washington

We had been planning for our big summer camping trip since the beginning of January when Steve arranged some time off. We did a ton of research (well I did) about possible campgrounds, locations, and nearby hikes. I even bought a book that showcased different areas of Washington St. Well, we finally decided on two different campgrounds in the Olympic Peninsula, one on the east side and one on the west. Unfortunately, all of my planning was for no use because the forecast seemed to get worse and worse the closer we got. The Olympic Peninsula was going to be rainy all four days and fairly cold. So we changed plans at 9 pm the night before we left and decided to head east over the Cascades to the warmer part of the state. After an hour of quick research we decided on Glacier View campground on the shores of Lake Wenatchee. It looked beautiful, had water and bathrooms, and most importantly was first come first served, which was good for us because we were leaving on a Wednesday and wouldn't have to compete with weekend crowds.

The drive east took us a little over three hours. It was a long haul, but well worth it when we found an amazing campsite on the lake complete with climbing log and cool bridge traversing a small stream running through the site. The boys were in heaven. Unfortunately, we didn't realize that swarms of mosquitos also came with the campground (and all campgrounds in the area.) The boys were literally eaten alive. I couldn't even count the number of bites on Donny's forehead and Hewitt's left leg. Our cousin Jacob and my brothers Ben and Tim and sister Sarah also faced their wrath. We applied more Off than anyone should be allowed and still managed to get bit. Much to Steve's delight and boasting, he continued his streak of never being bit by a mosquito. He claimed to be a super hero and have "cat like reflexes" that would kill a mosquito upon landing on his super sensitive skin. It really is disgusting how naive he is to the agonies of an itchy mosquito bite, but that is for another post.

After we figured out some tricks to warding off those dang beasts, which went away with the fire smoke and with the coming of evening, we did manage to go on some great hikes. The first was up to Hidden Lake and the second to Twin Lakes although we didn't make it all the way to the summit of the second. Donny proved to be a bit harder to manage. Last year we could carry him, but he has grown in a year and although he did well for about a mile, he got crabby and didn't want to walk again. My fat pregnant self didn't want to carry him too far and Steve certainly didn't want to carry him up every hill so we decided to turn around much to my siblings approval who definitely dislike hiking. How we came from the same family is amazing. I love hiking. Hewitt and Thomas seemed to have Steve and my hiking enthusiasm though and powered through every hill like champs.

So camping was great. We ate tons of smores complete with peanut butter, which is the secret ingredient to a good smore, got amazingly dirty, and bonded in ways you can only do without a shower. Thanks family for coming with us. Good times.

Yes, I am fat especially in a white shirt. Why I was wearing a white shirt while camping is definitely the question everyone should have been asking me.

We walked on numerous logs over rushing rivers and waterfalls. In the past, this would not have phased me. Now, however, whenever my boys would walk over holding Tim, Steve, or Ben's hand I would have to look away and hold my breath. Everyone called me a wimp, but it was seriously scary. I have suddenly become my mother.

The boys all fell asleep exhaused on the way home. They are wearing cuter clothes than normal because we stopped in Leavenworth and I made them change. People seem to treat you better when you are dressed nicer and with three crazy boys I need the small advantages that this might give me.