Campsgiving 2018

This year around Thanksgiving we had just moved into our new place and had yet to even get a chance to grab a bite to eat in our new neighborhood and have a fire. So, we opted to spend Thanksgiving day with some friend's and their family, then the next day having dinner and a lovely fire in our place and heading out to camp for just one night. We didn't have much time to plan it this year and we felt like going out for any longer would just be us doing it for the sake of doing it. I'm really glad we chose to do what was actually best for us and not push it. The day and a half we did go out for Campsgiving was lovely, not stressful, and was able to be fully enjoyed.

We went on a short 3 mile hike at Rockport State Park where we found mushrooms abound, watched the mist slowly change the landscape and played with face sized leaves. Then we headed to another park where we hung out and slowly made our Campsgiving dinner of turkey with gravy, fire roasted garlic mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts with leek, and our favorite the sausage and mushroom stuffing. Roslyn was partial to the mashed potatoes.

Then the next morning we drove down a forest road in hopes of finding a Christmas tree to chop down, sadly this road never really opened up to have any fields of trees under 20' but we were there and determined so we found one small wonky tree and nabbed it. It is the goofiest tree we've ever cut down but he's ours.

campsgiving 2017

campsgiving 2016

campsgiving 2015

campsgiving 2014

campsgiving 2013

Lake hike & Hitchiker tips

We needed a campsite one night and started down a dirt road. A few miles in 2 guys flagged us down and asked for a ride back to his car, they had been kayaking. We obliged and in return as we dropped him off he pointed out a little hidden campsite near the water they had spotted. Very grateful, we snagged it right up. With lots of daylight left we hung the hammock and read our book, made a slow lazy dinner, and stared at the running water with Roslyn.

Our first hike back afield after Erika's wedding was in the Wasatch National Forest in Utah. It is a nice loop hike that chains together a bunch of alpine lakes. We wove through the forest popping out on the little blue gems every so often.

On our way out we heard a lot of commotion and started noticing all these sheep camouflaged among the trees. Then we turned a corner and they were everywhere!

We ended up back near where we'd camped a few nights ago, when we helped the hitchhiker, and snagged another great spot along the water. Our laundry situation had become dire and our plans and location for the next few days wasn't lending itself to swinging by a laundromat. So we pulled out our basin, grabbed some river water, dumped in soap and got to hand washing. It was actually pretty fun. 

Roslyn also enjoyed it as she has just learned to roll from her back to her belly. We laid out her mat and let her go at it. Every time she'd succeed she'd be so proud and get the biggest grin on her face. It was very cute but also scary because she could no longer be placed anywhere without first thinking what happens if she rolls.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Despite Joshua's better judgement we decided to venture into Yellowstone. We had been years ago on our trek across the country but have since found a few more things we would like to have seen. One of these was the Mammoth Hot Springs. As we pulled into the parking lot and resigned ourselves to the gobs of people surrounding us we headed toward the springs. 

The area was incredible and jarring. The contrast of the bland gray rock with the very alive bubbling, algae filled hot springs was arresting. I couldn't look away. And the longer we looked the more we found. The intricate structure of the shelves that formed from the springs running down the rock, the ombred color filtered down the hot pools of water, the dried up portions crystalline structure. It felt like you were one a different planet when you let it fill your whole view. Then of course you remembered you were at an insane national park full of tourists with no manners and selfie sticks but for a few moments you could shut that out and get swallowed in this phenomenon.

That night for camping we found a nice quiet spot near a creek. We made friends with the old men fly fishing nearby and chatted while they oogled at Roslyn. We also finally came up with a real way to wash our hair, only took us half the trip. It felt amazing to actually use shampoo and run the cool water over my head. I as a general rule don't wash my hair super frequently but this was luxurious.