We decided to try out the campground at Christopher Creek. We went up Thursday afternoon and set up our campsite. It wasn't too crowded the first night. In fact, from this view, you'd never know we were surrounded by people the rest of the weekend.
We let the kids get oriented, then took them exploring by the creek.
In the summer, Christopher Creek runs pretty dry, though it is prone to flash flooding. Drew practiced his favorite pastime of throwing rocks into the water.
Marcus helped Kyle work on his baseball throwing skills, using rocks for practice.
It only took a few minutes for Kyle to get wet and dirty.
After that, we made dinner and the requisite Smores. The kids were pretty tired and fell asleep quickly. Marcus and I enjoyed the fire, then turned in ourselves. Our tent was on a slight incline, so we basically rolled down the hill all night. Good times.
Friday began early-- Drew was up at about 5:30. Fun fun.
It was our hiking day. Marcus found this great place between Payson and Pine called Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.
It's a little hidden valley with some great undeveloped hiking trails. This means you climb over gigantic rocks, following the creekbed to the natural bridge.
The trail ended at a swimming hole, but it was too rocky and cold for the kids to stay in very long.
A day of hiking must end in a trip to Dairy Queen.
My kids are still new to ice cream cones.
We drove back to the campsite and rested, then finished off our day with dinner and more S'mores.
Saturday morning we packed up, went on a nature-collecting hike on the mountain behind our campsite, then drove on home.
I really enjoy camping, but I don't like campgrounds. We've used them because they are convenient with small children (bathrooms, drinking water, a fire ring, etc). But it's hard to "get away" when you have people 50 feet from you in all directions. I think next year we might venture out and try dispersed camping- you still use a tent, but you don't have any amenities.
School starts in a week- so we have a busy week preparing. What are you doing to enjoy the last days of your summer?
2 comments:
I can't believe school starts for you in a week! Football/cheer practice starts for us, but school doesn't start until the 24th!
You guys are so brave! Maggie keeps trying to get us to go camping (she's never been because the only time anyone goes in our family is when they go to the Father/Son campout). I'm trying to convince her that it's not really that fun, but I think we may just have to prove it to her. Sigh...makes me tired just thinking about it. Any tips? Or do you just grin and bear it? Or just bear it without the grin? :)
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