 1 The great camping summit of 2007. We are debating philosophical and tactical approaches to packing and logistics. I'm of the "compact camping" mindset - pack up and get out within an hour. Dad's camping skills have evolved over 50 years of experience. Hard to top that resume! |
 2 Dad has reviewed all our stuff and packed the truck. We're off! It'll just be dad, Sam and me for the night. |
 3 We're off! |
 4 Sam was actually pretty good at geting these together. He wasn't so good at swinging and missing Grandpa - he got Dad a couple times before we provided another activity :) |
 5 A more dirty activity. |
 6 Marilou kindly offered to help get the rainfly up. |
 7 Making chocolate pancakes while we set up. |
 8 A quick dip to rinse off before naptime. |
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 10 Don't you totally love this shot??? Molly - I'm thinking of you as I write this :) |
 11 Waimanalo Beach is one of the prettiest on the island. Just a little south of us. |
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 14 Dad and Marilou strolled down to check out the scenery, too. |
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 16 Big, spacious group campsite! The sites are for groups of up to 15 tents and 75 people. There was just such an encampment in the spot next to us. Having that much space is really nice. We loved it. We're right across from the beach (protected from the wind by a berm) and near the "shoppette" for sundries. Not that we really needed anything with all that expert camping advice. |
 17 The Xterra is happy to be camping. |
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 19 Bug crew. |
 20 Dad makes some crazy faces. This one is a happy face, actually. :) |
 21 Somebody finally fell asleep for a nap after much excitement talking to his "friends" (baby zebra and bear). He was in there saying "I'm roly poly" as he rolled around. |
 22 Big three-room tent fits 7 people. |
 23 Such good food! It was a good opportunity to introduce Dad to some local fare from good people. Turns out they run the snack shop on base, too. We didn't realize it at the time :) |
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 25 This is the COOLEST house on the planet. Finally snapped a shot of it. We lived just down the road for a month when we first moved here. |
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 27 One last trip down the slide! |
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 29 Two sticks and BIG RED CAR - all a guy really needs. |
 30 Driving range - thought of you Popr!!! |
 31 And mini golf. This campground has it all. Really. |
 32 Sammy learned how to make kindling for the fire. He props it up...then... |
 33 a good crack! I showed him how to hold on first :) |
 34 Waiting to light the fire for s'mores. Daddy is on his way from work. |
 35 See my "happy camper" shirt? Always wear a shirt that tells you how you're feeling just in case you forget how fun it is!!! Ha ha! It's a lot of work but I LOVE it. Thanks to mom and dad, it's in my blood from many campouts in my early years. I'm hoping to infect Sam similarly. |
 36 Daddy came just as we were recovering from a brief but fairly good dousing of rain...As you can see the fire did ok thanks to Dad stacking some of Sam's sticks on top as a thatched roof...clever. |
 37 Dad is the blur to the right! |
 38 Look at that mouff! |
 39 Hey dad! Great trip :) |
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 41 Boys don't need to learn what sticks are for. |
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 44 Pirate stories by Grandpa! This one is about Captain Garr! |
 45 Sunrise. I woke up and new it would be a shame to miss this special time, even if the wind flapping the tent all night had kept me from a nice, long, solid sleep :) It didn't bother Sam or dad, though. |
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 49 Sonrise ;) The little mattress is really for picnics - it folds out to about 5' long, but folded in half makes for a nice little bed. |
 50 When he wakes up on camping trips he tends to squat for a minute or two before standing up. Good idea to get ones bearings :) |
 51 Now ready for a little smile at mommy :) |
 52 And one from peeking behind the netting. |
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 54 Taking all the bedding out, getting ready for pre-breakfast chores (folding up bedding and stowing it so critters don't get in there). |
 55 Back in for more stuff. |
 56 And more squatting to contemplate. |
 57 Dad takes his sweeping seriously ;) |
 58 Bear helps with the chores! |
 59 Ahhh...now time to relax with "Sammy's coffee" - milk and Ovaltine. |
 60 Thanks, mom, for the pirate magnet board. It was perfect for the trip. It's actually now in my camping bin permanently :) |
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 62 Another dash for cover! |
 63 Daddy showed up with a latte for mommy! Nice of Dave to join us for s'mores and breakfast, eh? He woke up early for work the day before so didn't really want to wake up sore from camping. We'll let him off the hook this time. |
 64 Yum! |
 65 Those sweet potato pancakes are SOOOOO easy and SOOOOO good. Another camping trick I've learned - wear a good color so that you look better than you feel :) |
 66 Lounging after breakfast :) |
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 68 Where's Dave going? |
 69 What?! Lounging during cleanup? Ok, just this ONCE young man! |
 70 Found this "T" on the ground - T is for Treasure! |
 71 Giving BRC a bath using the 4-rinse technique :) |
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 73 See the little lips pursed? This could have gone on a while if we weren't packing up. Such a good little helper. |
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 75 All packed and ready to head home for more adventures this week! |
