Camping Fun

We went back to our favorite camping spot over Memorial Day weekend, although we had some experiences that made us doubt if it's still our favorite spot.  More on that in a minute.

Eli had a lot of fun exploring around.  It was tricky for him navigating the rough terrain as a fairly new walker but I think he had fun.

He especially enjoyed the s'mores:

We had a blast on the huge tire swings again:

Elizabeth was quite disappointed when our family hike didn't last too long.  I was holding Eli in the carrier and Joe was holding Nate since he's not much of a hiker yet.  We did learn that his shoes were too tight so that didn't help.  Anyway, Elizabeth loves hiking and wanted to go much farther.  So, she and Joe set off on a hike.  They ended up walking all the way down the mountain to a ropes course in the lower part of the camp.  They had some adventures that I don't think I would have approved of if I had been there but thankfully they survived and started hiking the mile and half back up the mountain.  Soon Elizabeth noticed pain in her side and they realized it was a tick.  Joe had gotten one at camp but he was able to pull it out.  This one wouldn't come.  So, poor Lizzy had to hike all the way back up with a tick in her.  She was quite distraught but they made it quickly since she wanted it out.  Joe was able to get it out with a match (also quite traumatic) and then she was OK.  Still, the whole experiences was pretty awful.  We also found out after we got home that some friends had been there in a different part of the camp that weekend and their kids had gotten ticks, too.  So, this is what makes us hesitant to go back...

Anyway, here are the pictures Joe took from the first part of their adventure:

 
 
 
 

We camped for 3 nights this time--our longest so far.  I think we might gradually become actual campers some day! :)