Stacer Days: First Camping Outing

Although we bought our camper at the beginning of January, the first chance we had to get away for a few days was two months later. We have some experience with Inks Lake State Park, and it is such a nice park that we decided it would be a good place for our maiden voyage. So we loaded up the truck and headed out on the morning of March 4. Adam was excited about sitting in the middle with his feet propped up the whole way...

Don't worry, Aaron is much happier than he looks, he just loves to make silly faces for photos...

My parents and the Fischers planned to meet us there for the day, and they were already there when we arrived... so while we set up our spot, they went on a hike. (see more photos on Jenny's blog). Then we all hung out for the afternoon...

All four of us were slightly under the weather, battling allergy ick, which made the boys a little subdued so duck-watching was not beneath them.

I didn't have a camera with me for any of the time my extended family was there, so you'll have to check out Jenny's blog for more photos. The fascination with ducks continued. Adam was walking around saying, "come here Mr. Duck..." Illegal or not, we fed them a bit and they kept coming back for more.

The boys enjoyed milling around, playing with the soccer ball and rocks and trucks.

The next morning, Adam had already found Mr. Duck outside waiting for handouts. He laid on the bed, mesmerized.

After a pancake breakfast, the boys attempted fishing. It was more of an experience for Aaron, who had been asking about fishing a lot and was very excited. But, we are talking about younglings here, and the attention span is quite short.

Especially for Adam, who basically refuses to sit still these days. Recognizing his toddler-got-to-move anxiety setting in, I took him back to the camper and let him play with the trucks, trying to give Alan and Aaron a few minutes of quiet fishing-instruction time.

He wasn't very happy and he let the whole park know it by yelling, "I need Daddy," for several minutes straight.

Despite not catching anything, Aaron appeared to be enjoying himself. I'm sure him and Daddy were having a rousing conversation... as they always do when its just the two of them.

For a change of scenery and stimulation for a grumpy toddler, we went on a hike.

Down to Devil's Waterhole...

Aaron wasn't quite as talkative this time because he was a little sick.

Devil's Waterhole (around that corner to the right).

"Mr. Duck!" That was all we heard from Adam the entire time we were out that morning.

Adam pointing out Mr. Duck.

We climbed around to find a good place to have a snack...

This nice waterfall feeds into the lake. It had the perfect sound...

We watched the few trapped fish and a turtle in this pool while we had a snack.

On the way back Adam's horrible night of being woken up by his brother's coughing, caught up with him and he passed out on Alan's shoulders. He is quite the trooper, but this time he succumbed to the pleasant weather, peaceful breeze and the soothing sound of Daddy's voice. Too bad we had to wake him so soon after.

As expected, the boys took really long, hard naps and Alan and I sat outside and soaked up some sun... literally. I read and he fished. While sitting there we decided it would be best for the boys and us, to head home that afternoon, instead of the following morning. We could all use a good night sleep and the park is only about an hour from home, so we can come back again soon.

Some documentation photos of our spot...