When he got back he was ready for some "relaxation". He started classes up the very next week (nice break, huh) so we did a three day camping trip. This time we headed up towards Stanley. There weren't any reservations at Red Fish Lake, where we wanted to stay, so we stayed at Bull Trout Lake. Campsites fill up early and our travels seem to be thrown together last minute so we are a the mercy of whatever is available.
We got a much later start than we wanted, but I will admit I hadn't done as much packing the day before. After so much time this summer on my own with the kids, I was pretty done by this point.
We started heading north. Have I mentioned it was also fire season?
We got to see some of the damage on the drive up.
Imagine living in that house. Pucker. They lost their outbuildings and anything on their land, but the house was saved.
We also passed an extreme biker on the way. Seriously, it isn't like there are parking lots all along those roads. When you start something like that, you're committed. By the way, it was a woman.
Lots of the scenery was obscured by smoke.
Kinda barren.
When we got to our campground we made sure to read all the info to confirm how close any of the fires were and what the current burning regulations were.
We then got set up. Well, actually we went back and forth between two sites a couple times. As soon as we pulled into our reserved one our neighbors came over and said they had more people coming and asked if we would switch to a different site they had reserved as well. Right across from the trash and toilet. It was just an awkward position to be put in. I'll admit I slammed the car door pretty hard when we got over there and they came over and admitted the site wasn't nearly as good as our reserved one and asked us to go to our original one - they realized they could fit everyone into the one site they were already set up in.
So THEN we got set up.
Did I mention it was my birthday? So I celebrated.
We got all set up and got our fire started. We knew it was going to get pretty cold at night.
This is apparently how Papas watch kids.
Also - I've gotta tell you about this carrier. It is a yard storage box that Papa rigged to go onto our hitch haul for extra hauling capacity. We did it for our move out here. Since we've been here, we've been asked about three times if it is a hot tub - usually at gas stations where we are filling up. Yup, taking a hot tub camping. So now we need to figure out how to make that work. Seriously, think about it. Make it water tight on the inside and you can just back it up over a fire to heat it up. Don't be jealous.
Little Lady collected pine cones to help get our fires started.
Papa had picked up some gluten free (but not paleo) cupcakes to celebrate my birthday. We each had some tastes of each. Pretty good, still felt a bit yucky afterwards. This did last us two nights. Little Lady was VERY excited to share them.
I got the kids in the tent to go to bed. She reached out and grabbed his hand to go to bed. They both fell asleep holding hands. So cute!
We were tuckered out. Papa made sure the fire was out while we crashed.
Of course, then I was still up pretty much all night. Little Man just does not do well with the camping sleeping. Hopefully it will be better next year. It HAS to be better next year. It leaves an exhausted baby and grumpy Mama the next day. I also use a mummy bag to sleep and we probably have to change that too. It was pretty cold at night (40's) so we were using the warm stuff, but I ended up having to open my bag anyways since he sleeps basically nursing all night when we camp. We'll see how next year goes.
We were all bundled up the next morning and got our coffee going!
Of course, he passed out shortly after we got up for the morning.
We decided to head north a bit to explore Stanley and see if there were any good coffee places. Mama wanted more coffee.
We did have a little Idaho traffic jam on the way. You know, horses and dogs. No big deal.
We were able to see the Sawtooth Mountains peeking through the smoke.
The view in Stanley wasn't much better.
We did happen to find a coffee shack - with Almond milk, of course! Hello latte!
Another one for the coffee table book.
It had warmed up a bit and the sun was warming us as well. Little Man worked on his new walking skills. He stared walking the day we got home from our DC trip - so Papa didn't miss it!
We headed to Stanley Lake to check it out.
The view are probably INCREDIBLE when the smoke is gone.
Mika was loving it too.
We all did some relaxing.
There was distant thunder going on, so we headed back to our camp site and quickly got it ready for rain. I took the kids and dog into the tent to get them set up while Papa finished up outside. It then started thundering and lightening and raining. And then a chain saw started up. You have to imagine this. I'm sitting in a tent, with no way to see what is going on outside, with thunder and lightening, and two kids and a freaking out dog, and for all I know there is a chainsaw massacre going on out there. Fun times.
Chris finally came in and it was apparently our "neighbor" cutting up some more wood for us (he had apparently offered to do some for Papa with his chainsaw) so we could tuck it away before it got all wet.
It was a pretty quick storm and we didn't have to sit in the tent too long.
We still got to sit by the fire that night. Her hands were cold (mental note: bring cold weather hats and gloves next time) so Papa warmed up rocks by the fire for her to hold. I love that Man. I would never think to do something like that. Genius.
There were more storms that night. And baby cosleeping. A baby that wet through his diaper and was left soaking in the middle of the night - with no more clothes to put on him so I had to cover him up as best as I could so he wouldn't freeze (mental note: bring more clothes for the baby than I think I'll need).
Coffee. Again. Tea and honey for the Little Lady.
It was our last morning and we realized we hadn't done smores for Little Lady yet. So we balanced her breakfast with smores. FYI, gold coin chocolates work PERFECTLY for this.
Just a little morning marshmallow roasting.
We then got all our stuff packed up and figured we would do more exploring before heading home.
The storms cleared up some of the smoke so the view were slightly improved.
Stanley is beautiful. And tiny. 63 people. For real. It also seems to be a mild hippie meca? It also gets super cold in the winter. Negatives kind of cold.
While talking to the barista guy (yes, more lattes please) Papa found out that Redfish Lake was only a ten minute drive. So off we went!
So so so so happy we made that ten minute drive.
It would have been perfect if we could have had a smoke free view, but it was still gorgeous.
It was really windy, so that cooled it off a bit and made the water feel cold, but it was still sunny and we were able to enjoy the beach.
The water seriously looked like Hawaii.
This is how a kid should grow up.
They also had a dog beach. Most amazing dog beach ever.
It was the perfect way to get out some energy before starting our drive back to Boise.
It was a nice trip, although the smoke was pretty bad and did a number on our lungs. One of the challenges of camping in Idaho during fire season.
We will definitely be visiting again, but it was time to head back to the daily grind of the city.
This guy had some clinicals to start!
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