Back to Nature

This past weekend we went camping in Uwharrie National Forest with our friends. While David and I have camped before, we had yet to take the boys. Since our boys love the outdoors, dirt, and everything dirty outdoors, we knew they would love it. Of course, they did! Despite a few bumps in the road (i.e. a nest of yellow jackets camped next to us, a pack of feral dogs decided to stalk our camp, etc.), it really was a blast and we look forward to making camping a popular family activity.

All packed and ready to go!

Setting up camp - with kids - not for the non-observant. 

Where did (insert any child's name) go??

Our friends John and Alison, with Joshua up top and Wallace down below.

Here we are! Tackling nature! Look out trees and rocks, our family has arrived!

We all enjoyed great hikes on Saturday and Sunday.

Gavin has a super eye and spots things we could easily. . .squash. Here he is posing with the box turtle he saved from certain death. See it? It's to the left of his toe.

We also saw cute babies out there in the forest!

Oh yeah - and creepy but strangely fascinating spiders. Here are a few orb weavers.

And perhaps the biggest attraction of all? The Eastern Timber Rattlesnake in the middle of our trail. Good eye, John! While the picture makes it look giant, the acorn kind of prevents our story from growing too much ("and then, this 10 foot rattler came out of no where!").

But, it is a large acorn.

Gavin had a great time collecting nature and bringing it back to camp with us (no, that isn't how the wild dogs arrived).

Ah, home sweet home.

Chili and fritos. Yum. Wallace and Arlo agreed that the combo was a good camping supper. 

And they supervised the preparation closely.

Get out the marshmallows - the men have made fire!

The next morning was chilly, which is a sensation we just haven't experienced lately!

NO morning can be started without coffee. Check out our new 12 cup percolator. The blackest coffee I have ever had, and I loved every drop of it (don't worry, I shared with others).

Hike #2, and Arlo decides he is done.

Great friends, great weather, great family, great food. . .we all left dirty and happy and. . .

TIRED!