Tent Camping with 11 people - 101

So this summer the Oregon Conference canceled campmeeting. For the last couple of years we have camped next door to the Dietrichs... so when we found out we weren't going to be camping at Gladstone we decided it was time to make alternate plans.

So after weeks of picking a date, Brad picked the location, we loaded up the cars (I mean large vehicles & trailer for bikes/wood/etc) and drove North towards Mt. St. Helen's to Lower Falls Campground (people trust me on this... we were in nowhere land... and it was perfect!)
On the way there we lost cell service (oh my) and believe it or not Josh & I got the meanest parents of the year award for not letting the kids watch a movie on the car ride (can you believe it?) we told the kids that the experience started when we left our driveway.

Finally (after a brief side of the road potty stop...tmi) we made it to camp and started setting up. BTW, we scored an awesome Double campsite so that we could all be at the same location... which was perfect.



first is is important to have good tents for sleeping... the girls tent
you also need a good group of kids... because HELLO??? kids make everything more fun!

proper cooking gear is a necessity... cooking corner, hey what is that little man getting into now?
Most importantly (besides my fam of course) is traveling with another family you enjoy & get along with... it is also helpful if they are professional campers, just saying... and going on a trip with Brad & Melissa is camping with pros.... and fun to boot! (I believe they were questioning their choice of camping partners when they had not only set up tents & the whole rest of camp while we were still getting tent #2 up...)

The Dietrich Crew... camping professionals... btw, Brad is AKA McGyver - which is very helpful.

camp life



a lined up and ready for our first outing... we hiked those kids everyday! The scenery up on the north fork of the Lewis was just breath taking... and the falls, we saw 4 different sets of incredible falls. (more photos of that to come later)

Did I mention the shoes??? We were hiking to the lower falls on Day one when Melissa realized all the kids had Keens on :) so of course we had to do a total poser photo of all the shoes.

Anyway, next post... the BEAUTY of the 4 days.... God is so wonderful to give us all that beauty.
This campground was incredible because... no running water, no electricity, BUT we did have composting toilets... it really made you enjoy the quiet beauty of life. You truly could not be thinking of anything but what you were doing from moment to moment... no distractions really makes you look at your life, your priorities, and how to connect with your family.

Part Two - Nature hikes with the Macs...