October Camping
Normally, one would not plan a camping trip to Diamond Lake (elevation 5000 feet) in October! However, if you happen to have cabinets to install in a new cabin there, it makes perfect sense!! Since the goal was to get the job done before winter weather hit, we went camping the first weekend of the month. Because of the back pain I've been having, I was hesitant to make the trip. Actually, even when I'm not having back pain, I'm hesitant about camping!
My dad was a wonderful person, but he wasn't a fishing, hunting or take-the-family-camping kind of man. So I never did any of those things growing up!! I knew what a camper was, tho, because we borrowed one for a family trip from Nebraska to Oregon in 1968 or '69. But we all know that pulling a camper across the country is nothing like camping in the woods out in the middle of nowhere!
I knew when I married Brian that he loved all of those things and did them often with his family. I did have to wonder what was so great about hunting, though, the first time I went with him. It was the late '70s when the ski jackets were all the rage, even if you weren't a skier. I had a bright yellow one which was just perfect to wear hunting, I mean it's kinda like hunter orange, right? But, it was noisy.. and so was I! I had no clue how to walk quietly in the woods! And really!! when you're with the one you love the most, of course you need to talk to him! My dear man had to constantly sssshhhhh me and ask me to be quiet. Thankfully, that was only an afternoon hunt! And we didn't even see any deer!!
My first camping/hunting trip was a real learning experience, too. It was just several weeks after we were married and we went with Brian's brother, Rich, and his wife, Sandy, who were also newlyweds. Sandy was a veteran camper, but I wasn't prepared for the whole roughing it part. The "facilities" were thrown together by the last hunter who had camped there. Ugh. It was cold and we often stayed inside the tent where the wood stove kept us warm, sometimes reading by flashlight while the guys were out hunting. But, oops, did we remember extra batteries? And cooking was challenging AND embarrassing because we forgot to pack the salt!
We did other trips over time, but as our family grew, it became more difficult. So much gear and food and tools and tents and Stuff To Pack!! And I like clean children and clean dishes and clean kitchens and clean hair -- hot running water and electricity and being warm and, well, you get the idea. Camping was twice the work of staying home!! After some time we got a fifth wheel that made camping life easier with more of the necessities, but still a LOT of work!! Somehow, through it all, my children all loved it and I tried to make the best of it!
Then the accident happened, and more than ever I have become a creature of comfort!! I also have to be ever so careful about walking around outside on uneven ground, because not only do I have poor balance, my arms are not strong enough to break the fall and I don't like the idea of falling on my face! I've gone once or twice since then, but usually I opt to stay home and stay safe!!
However, this time I decided to go along. Peter was helping with the install job and his family was going, and I thought I'd join my family the camping fun! The scenery is always amazing and it can be relaxing once you arrive. It was nice that Brian and the boys went a day ahead to set up camp and prepare the way!
My dad was a wonderful person, but he wasn't a fishing, hunting or take-the-family-camping kind of man. So I never did any of those things growing up!! I knew what a camper was, tho, because we borrowed one for a family trip from Nebraska to Oregon in 1968 or '69. But we all know that pulling a camper across the country is nothing like camping in the woods out in the middle of nowhere!
I knew when I married Brian that he loved all of those things and did them often with his family. I did have to wonder what was so great about hunting, though, the first time I went with him. It was the late '70s when the ski jackets were all the rage, even if you weren't a skier. I had a bright yellow one which was just perfect to wear hunting, I mean it's kinda like hunter orange, right? But, it was noisy.. and so was I! I had no clue how to walk quietly in the woods! And really!! when you're with the one you love the most, of course you need to talk to him! My dear man had to constantly sssshhhhh me and ask me to be quiet. Thankfully, that was only an afternoon hunt! And we didn't even see any deer!!
My first camping/hunting trip was a real learning experience, too. It was just several weeks after we were married and we went with Brian's brother, Rich, and his wife, Sandy, who were also newlyweds. Sandy was a veteran camper, but I wasn't prepared for the whole roughing it part. The "facilities" were thrown together by the last hunter who had camped there. Ugh. It was cold and we often stayed inside the tent where the wood stove kept us warm, sometimes reading by flashlight while the guys were out hunting. But, oops, did we remember extra batteries? And cooking was challenging AND embarrassing because we forgot to pack the salt!
We did other trips over time, but as our family grew, it became more difficult. So much gear and food and tools and tents and Stuff To Pack!! And I like clean children and clean dishes and clean kitchens and clean hair -- hot running water and electricity and being warm and, well, you get the idea. Camping was twice the work of staying home!! After some time we got a fifth wheel that made camping life easier with more of the necessities, but still a LOT of work!! Somehow, through it all, my children all loved it and I tried to make the best of it!
Then the accident happened, and more than ever I have become a creature of comfort!! I also have to be ever so careful about walking around outside on uneven ground, because not only do I have poor balance, my arms are not strong enough to break the fall and I don't like the idea of falling on my face! I've gone once or twice since then, but usually I opt to stay home and stay safe!!
However, this time I decided to go along. Peter was helping with the install job and his family was going, and I thought I'd join my family the camping fun! The scenery is always amazing and it can be relaxing once you arrive. It was nice that Brian and the boys went a day ahead to set up camp and prepare the way!
It was dark when I got there, and this was my view out the front window when I got up!
Morning around the fire.
The dog is much loved by some.
They say Maggie keeps them warm.
Yes, Karise, we must comb your hair!
Helping make breakfast!
A one man clean up crew.
Are you kiddin' me?!!
Madison was with the roofing crew. She had been there before and was teaching Janae and Karise how to feed the "camp robbers"!
A private dock for Big Red, with Mt. Theilsen always standing guard.
Time to go fishing!
The first fish got to go back to the lake!
Now that's more like it!
They caught six this weekend. A month ago when they went to measure the job, they limited out both days!
Moonbeams..
Hard at work!
The guys made this pair of doors for the bedroom and bathroom.
Our part of the job is done!
The new cabin.
It was good to spend time with some of my favorite people!!
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