Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial Park

As we get ready for our March trip this weekend, I am finally getting around to posting about our February trip.
     For February we went to one of my very favorite childhood camping spots, Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park, in Florence, OR.   As a child I loved camping in the wooded area, walking the short distance to the dunes (in the park) and laying in the sun for hours taking turns playing in the sand and then running down into the warm lake beneath the dunes.  I can't wait to do that again, but that was not this trip.   This trip we stayed a yurt with some friends of ours, Samuel and Kalea  and their daughter Ira May.  The weather was chilly but mostly dry (It rained the day before we came) and sunny.  Something that was not there when I was a child is the addition of a large playground, so nice.  We spent the mornings lazing around with the kiddos (avoiding our very loud neighbors) and playing in the playground.  Yurts are wonderful, but they are also close together (often times - here closer than many I have seen) and there walls are still uninsulated.  So, in a park that was almost completely empty (something that never happens in the summer, when it is almost always booked to capacity) we found ourselves right next to the loudest people in the park, music blaring late into the night, and little children running into our campsite to see if Mikaiah wants to play (of course she wanted to, but was not allowed) early in the morning.  They were kind  though, inviting us to party with them, but I think I would have appreciated a little more solitude. That said, it was still a nice trip and we had a lot of fun spending the day at a near by beach on the Ocean.  Our dear friends are living in Medford and don't get to see the Ocean very often, so we took every advantage. 
     My favorite memory of this trip though happened about 3 am  the second night.  I was feeling super vigalente even in my sleep, trying to keep my children from waking up Ira May when all of the sudden I was woken immediately by a loud wailing.  Mikaiah, who was sleeping above me on the top bunk was just sobbing "I WANT CARROTS!" She cried over and over. "I SO HUNGRY"  It would have been hilarious if she wasn't so upset and wasn't so loud!  I tried cuddling with her, tried rocking her back and forth, even gave her some raisins (we had no carrots.)   Finally Seth gave her a raspberry shaped teething pacifier she has recently latched onto (though she never used one as a baby.)  As soon as she had it she curled up and silently went to sleep.  What a silly girl.  Oh how I love her!
    This weekend we are off to Astoria, Fort Stevens State Park.  Weather Forecast:  Rain, rain, and more rain.  We'll see how it goes! At least we are prepared!

Silver Creek Falls - January

Well it's January again and our first tent camping trip of the winter season.  Although I  enjoy camping year round, I have to admit that this trip is always the hardest for me to get psyched up for.   There is no where in Oregon that is warm on an average January weekend, it's just a fact.  Also, no matter how many blankets you bring I always find myself staring longingly at the cozy motor homes and trailers around us as the cold air gathers around me and the frost creeps up my toes.  I sit closer and closer to the fire, and try as I might as I look on at my tent I can't fool myself into thinking it's going to be "so cozy" when I go in there - before getting settled in my sleeping bag anyway.
      You might be asking yourself why then do we continue to do this,  why not always stay in a yurt or get an RV or better yet, just camp when it's  warm outside but I'll tell you why.  It's because when we camp in difficult circumstances I learn to appreciate things more than I would any other way.  I appreciate the sun coming out and warming my face in the morning, even while frost still covers the ground.   I apreciate the power of a warm fire and the joy of conversation around it.  If I were in a yurt or RV I would spend most of my time inside at night and miss so much that happens only around a campfire, it's just true. This weekend however, while tent camping I spent hours around the campfire laughing and enjoying my family as Mikaiah taught me how to play hide and go seek around the fire, without moving more than 5 or so feet and then "hiding" in the tent awning...with her headlamp on.   She brings me so much joy as she takes in everything around her and enjoys spending time with us around the fire.   In the summer I usually put her to bed before it gets dark, and miss out on this special time spent with her.  When our next trip comes and we're cozy warm in our Yurt I won't take it for granted as I normally might have, I even enjoy my own bed at home more after trips like this.  Seth and I both feel that these experiences are more than just "good" for us and out children, we feel they are essential.  Our reactions to the situations we are in teach our children how they should act, something I have to remember when it's less than comfortable around me.
       When we finally went to bed the tent was relatively warm due to the tent heater we were using, but as the temperature dropped and the heater ran out of propane it got really cold.  Slowly both our children joined us in our bed, pushing Seth and I out onto the edges.  At six AM when I was once again awaken by Sequoia who was hungry and cold, I had had enough.  I picked her up and groggily carried her into the heated bathroom. (When camping in Winter it's a huge plus to find a campground such as Silver Creek Falls or Beverly Beach with a heated bathroom - it's wonderful!) I have to admit, I was not at this moment thinking "I'm so glad I'm teaching my girls to have a good attitude no matter the situation" I was just cold and tired.  As Sequoia ate and we both thawed out in the bathroom I made a plan.  Maybe we both couldn't go to sleep in a nice cozy bed, but we could be warm.  So, while leaving Seth and Mikaiah cozy in our bed I grabbed the keys and got into the car for an early morning trip into Silverton.  Thank you Lord for leather heated seats!  It's amazing how much better you can feel after getting warm and drinking a mocha!  I came back around 8:30 am to find my husband building a fire and energized by warmth and caffeine and the sugar from a fresh baked donut, I had an amazing morning.  Enjoying a lovely walk in a frost covered wonderland with my two little girls as my husband packed up our things.  Perspective is an amazing thing!

December 2013 - Tumalo State Park

 Mikaiah loves her "new home for camping."

 Staying warm with Papa.

Mikaiah had a bun at the top of her head and when I took it out this is what was left. haha.

      On Friday night our good friends the Miller's joined us for the evening.  Here their youngest daughter Tillie (3 months) and Sequoia (6 months) get aquainted.

Our last camping trip of the year was spent at Tumalo State Park staying in a Yurt.  Great choice!  We have stayed at Tumalo State Park several times and always enjoyed it, but this time we stayed in a Yurt.  It was very nice, staying in a cozy warm Yurt while still sitting around a campfire at will.  For less than $40 a night it sure is a nice change.  Even if you're just travelling around and not necessarily looking to camp, it's a lot cheaper than a hotel room and the scenery is much more pleasant.  They offer yurts or rustic cabins in many state parks as well as other random campgrounds.  ReserveAmerica.com is a great way to find them as well as campgrounds in general.

      We spent three nights, with slow relaxing mornings around camp and afternoons/evenings spent in Bend with friends.  A lovely way to end our first complete year of monthly camping.

     I decided that every time I post about our camping trips I will try to include a tip or two that have worked for us.
  
     Like most people I dislike packing and unpacking, but unpacking is truly the worst.  I hate that end-of-trip feeling when you're headed back to life, and work, AND you have a bunch of unpacking and cleaning ahead of you.  However, I have found that taking just a little extra time while packing up can save you a lot of time back home.  When packing up I try to group things not so much according to what they are, but to where they will go in my home.  I put everyone's dirty clothes in a foldable laundry basket (I usually put things like extra shoes in it to begin with, and then put the shoes in our bags in exchange for the dirty clothes.)  Since I have a tote of dry goods which always has some food stored in it, I take all the perishables (half full bag of tortilla chips, oranges, bread, etc) and any food I simply want to eat soon (chocolate covered almonds, for example) and put them in a bag at the top of the tote so that when I get home I simply remove the bag, and store everything else.   This system works really well, getting my laundry started right away and my things back where they belong, allowing me to sit down and enjoy the rest of my weekend much sooner than I would otherwise.
     Something else that is helpful is having set tasks for both Seth and I.  We have these both for packing up to go, and packing up to leave.  I pack all food and clothing for me and the girls along with the sleeping bags and bedding.  Then I have it by the front door.  Seth gets all the camp gear and packs it all up.  Once we get there he unloads and I set up the kitchen area and watch the girls while he gets the tent up.  Then I set up our beds.  For packing up I load up stuff in the tent/yurt while Seth watches the girls and makes breakfast and then I clean dishes and pack up the kitchen stuff with the girls while he does the rest.  Having these things laid out (we just naturally figured this out and then have stuck to it) can relieve a lot of stress, especially by taking turns so that each can do their job without getting in the others way or while watching kiddos.
    Also, no matter how organized you are packing up and trying to get out the door can be stressful (or maybe this is just stressful for us, but I'm guessing not.)  Try to focus on just getting done what needs done and getting in the car.  Once you're in the car, let it go.  Stress can make us all irritable at times but there's no need to let it carry on into the weekend.  As soon as you're in the car, preferably before you pull out look over a list to make sure you have all the essentials (Seth and I do this from a mental list but having one written up ahead of time is a good idea.)  Whatever else you have have forgotten try to pick up at a store on the way out, or do without.  Or if someone is joining you later you can check to see if they can bring your forgotten items.  Remember that things are just things and often not as important as we think.  Blaming someone for forgetting them never bring about anything positive.   Enjoy your travels and one another and if you have any great tips I would love to hear them.  We are constantly evaluating what worked and what didn't work great, what we needed/used and what just took up room. This keeps our trips getting better and easier as we go.

Tips and Tricks for camping with Kiddos

I have been asked to share some of my "secrets" for camping with little ones, and though they're not that ground breaking, I will share what I have learned so far. 

1) Be Prepared  - Specifically in the area of warm/dry clothes and bedding.  If you and (more importantly) your children are warm and dry (both day and night) your chance of enjoying the trip goes up about 99.9%   I have found one or two base layers (patagonia and REI make great ones) to start layering clothes with.  They breathe well and don't leave your child cold with sweat.  Now before you freak out because these are spendy brands (which they are) realize that you can save a lot of $ by keeping your eye out all year round at thrift stores/garage sales, etc.  Also, other brands work as well, it's mostly just cotton as a base layer you want to stay away from.  Mother Goose resale (a consignment store with several locations) is great for this.  Even if you are mostly camping in the summer remember that evenings/nights can get quite cold and/or rainy here in Oregon, especially if you're in the mountains or on the coast.  Extra blankets are never wasted.

2)  Even if showers aren't provided bringing towels is a good idea to dry up dew, clean off dirty feet, or for use after giving your child a bath in a tote.

3) Condense your gear.  If you're planning on doing much camping at all it might be a good idea to look into storing your stuff in easy to pack/store totes (we like Rubbermade roughneck totes a lot.)  We have a lot of things that just stay in those totes ready to go for the next time. (We try to refresh them at the end of the trip if needed, cleaning gear and adding things such as more matches, while we remember them.) 

4)  Having a separate set of kitchen stuff helps a lot too.  I actually have a camping kitchen we just pack up with everything in it, but you could do this in totes as well.  It's so much easier not to forget things when they are already together.  (Pots, pans, plates, silverware, salt/pepper, tooth brush/paste, matches, tea, dish towels, etc.) 

5)  Try to put all your non-perishable food in one or two totes/boxes. This way everything is together and easier to guard from little (or big) critters looking to steal your food.

6)  Don't skimp on things like a bumbo for the baby to sit in, or a few small toys for  your children to play with.  I like to bring Mikaiah's baby stroller, doll, toy truck, bucket and shovel.  That's usually all the toys we take, but it helps a lot.  We also like bringing a portable highchair (that snaps on a chair/picnic bench.)  It's nice to have a safe/clean place to put your child to eat/and or play.

7)  Plan your food.  I have two or three dinners I usually use (chicken fajitas, sausages, and spaghetti or soup of some sort.)  I only have to prepare the fajitas and by cooking the chicken and veggies ahead and putting them in a mason jar or zip lock my meals take less than 20 minutes to heat up and serve.  I also like to cut up fruits and veggies before hand (especially melons/pineapples, celery, and bell peppers or other messy things to cut) that way they are quick to grab and as easy to eat as all the carb loaded prepared snacks like crackers, chips, and trail mix.  Too much of these and by the end of the weekend no one is feeling very great.  Throwing in hummus or ranch is a nice incentive to eat your veggies as well.  Lunches are usually fruits/veggies with pb and j sandwiches or tuna (which I often prepare at home.)  Hard boiled eggs are a nice addition as well.   If you plan your food ahead you won't feel the need to bring so much extra and can save space there, plus having it all in one tote can save about 5 square feet filled with reusable grocery bags (my husband's pet peeve!)

8)  Try to think of some kind of activity or outing each day (whether or not you choose to do it.)  Build a sand castle, fly a kite, visit a lighthouse or museum, take a hike or build a dam in the river.  Talk to your kids about what your going to do or ask for suggestions.   This helps them feel involved and gets them excited about what your doing.   Make up scavenger hunts looking for "the roundest rock you can find" or "something fuzzy."  We have even gone to a public pool in the past and things like that.  Getting away with your family by camping is great, but if you think the weather might be really bad try to camp somewhere near a town that you can escape to for a quick movie or game of bowling.  You will still be saving a lot of money by not staying in a hotel, and you will enjoy the outing that much more.)

9)  Use headlamps with your children. They'll love having their own light and will be less likely to lose it or shine it in your eyes (you can adjust the direction of the light.)  These can be relatively inexpensive, especially through places like Costco (though ours are from REI because of their great return policy.  Still only about $15 - $20.) 

10) With children in diapers a good rule of thumb is to bring 5 for each day plus an extra 5.  This works out quite well.

11)  Laundry.  Bringing a folding laundry hamper (about $4) is a great way to reduse unpacking time once you get home.  I just put all my dirty laundry inside, pack it up and start it as soon as I get home.  This way I don't have to sort our clean/dirty clothes out and get jump started on the wash.)

12)  Use reference guides.  We have just a few books that have helped us a lot.  Here they are:
- Babes in the Woods (a guide to camping with children, lots of useful tips in there.)

-Canoeing and Kayaking in the Pacific North West  by Phillip N. Jones (if you want to do any paddling, this is a wonderful guide to have.  I could go into detail about how useful it is, but I won't. )

-Camping! Oregon By Judy Jewell  (There are several books similar to this and all have decent info, but I've really like this one a lot.  It does not cover ALL the campgrounds in Oregon, but quite a few.)

13)  If you've never camped in the off season (October - May) you might want to consider it.  Campgrounds are much less crowded (we rarely reserve sites, though if you have an RV you might need to.)  Things look different in the winter and can bring about different types of exploration.  Many campgrounds are cheaper during this "discovery" season as it is called by State Parks.  And though the thought of camping in the cold can be disheartening, with a little help from a tent heater such as the Mr. Heater (sold at Bi-mart among other places) safe for tents (though please still use caution - a heater is still a heater, no matter how safe.)  And if that still doesn't suite you, consider renting a yurt or rustic cabin available at many campgrounds. (We do this twice a year - it's a nice break.)  With beds (sleeping up to 8), a heater, table and chairs, plus most of them have covered porches for cooking and such, they really are a steal for less than $40 a night.

If you have any specific questions/comments feel free to ask away. 

November - Tillicum Park (near Waldport)

We planned on camping at Canal Creek, along the Alsea Highway, but could not find it so we continued on to Highway 101. So glad we did!  Tillicum Campground was amazing!  Our campsite #30 was bordered by a tall hedge with the only entry a 3 or 4 foot wide tunnel 15 feet long.  When you went through the tunnel you opened up onto an open area with picnic table, fire ring, and spot for tents, but then on the other side it was completely open to the ocean.  Sitting about 20 feet above the beach, bordered only by pole fence it was spectacular.   So relaxing just watching the waves wash up on the beach, and a nice beach for walking it was too.  The path down to the beach was only about 100 yards away, maybe less.  The weather was colder (40's and 50's) but it didn't rain.  I really can't complain for mid November!  Next time we will be bringing beach toys though (Mikaiah will remind us, I'm sure!)

October - Cape Lookout State Park

Our first camping trip along the coast this year, and it was a good choice.  It's a beautiful area with just a short walk to the beach.  We had wonderful weather, almost no wind, Sunny, high sixties to low seventies.  We took the girls to the Tillamook cheese factory for ice cream and spent an evening digging a big hole in the sand and walking along the beach watching the sunset.  Beautiful.  Four stars out of five.  (I saw a rat come out from the bushes at night, yuck, making me lower it from five stars to four.) =)

September (Festival of tents) Pioneer Park in Brownsville

The first day we got to Pioneer Park we had a few short rain showers, followed by clear, warm sunny days.  Fun times with both our families, hanging out with friends and swimming in the river.  Mikaiah began "stretching her legs of independence" even more than before, wandering from campsite to campsite.  Luckily she did not wander too far off, and thankfully I had many eyes keeping an eye on her.  Seth was able to play drums with the worship team, and was also able to fit in a bike ride or two. All in all, a very nice weekend.