Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Marshmallows, Museum, Money, Mud, Memories

After about 6 hours of preparation between the two of us, and a VERY full suburban, we headed out for our family San Rafel Swell camping trip reminiscing about the days where we used to pack up the 2 man tent in the purple oldsmobile achieva and be on our way in 1/2 an hour. Preparations are more complex nowadays; nevertheless, we were ready!

But not for 2 days of straight, continuous, wet wet rain!


Plan B: Set up a canopy on Wood Hill and have a campfire. We tried. Too windy.

Plan C: Satisfy the kids' desire for the camping experience by roasting marshmallows in the fire pictured below, and setting up the tent in my parents' front yard.

Other cozy indoor activities included "Catch Phrase," "Floam," and tours of the stuffed animal museum. My kids are such entrepreneurs, and they know that Grandma will pay out, so they love to set up museums and charge for entrance. Behind the display is a sign that reads "do not touch," along with a price list broken down by age and length of museum pass validity.

This museum gave Caroline the idea to go tour the CEU Prehistoric Museum. It is a landmark in Price and surely a world class experience for anyone who travels through that area. My kids especially like the sandbox and life-size teepee. New to the museum is a baby alligator!



Since our nice brother-in-law lent us his GPS, we just had to get out there and locate some geocaches, despite the mud. This pic of Will's shoes is AFTER I had cleaned them off. We definately broke in our new suburban. Oh wait, the scouts had already done that. We'd had our sights set on several of the Udinks caches in the San Rafel, but had to opt for urban ones instead. The pay off came, though, when in one container we found

a MILLION DOLLAR BILL!



Yes, even with some hassle and some noise, a full suburban is indicitave of a full and abundant life. Pitfalls and stresses do come, but always outweighed by joyful memories. This saying on my Mom's wall became the motto of our weekend:


10 comments:

mom said...

I think that the storms of life give us memories. If all had gone well, it would have been another camping experience. Thanks for sharing.

Katy said...

Yeah, we were in that silly rain too! We opted for fun at the Huntington Lake catching crawdads, and than a trip to the Clevland Lloyd Dinosaur quarry and a very long adventuraous drive afterwards! I love that phrase about dancing in the rain. Sounds like us doesn't it!

Jessica Jensen said...

I'm glad you danced... inspite of the rain.

Jen said...

I love your mom's quote. Very fun memories to be had, even if they weren't what you went out intending to make! That's a great life lesson to share with your kids!!!

LINZ said...

Sorry I missed it, but the funny thing is in that picture, I seriously thought for one second...did they crop me in??? It was KIMI!! I guess I'd better get my head out of the clouds and realize I just don't look like that!!

kathyurry said...

That is why I hate to camp I hate the rain and you try to plan for every thing and it does not work. I also do not like to sleep on the ground but I remember tents rain playing games and dirt so if I have to camp I say give me a trailer so Its not bad if it rains you stay warm and dry

Sarah Sidwell said...

I LOVED this post. We only added one child to our family, but it feels like the car is already PACKED FULL whenever we go anywhere. Glad you made the best of the trip!

-Yaerli Hatch said...

did you really find a million$'s ?

Ryan and Hailee said...

What an adventure, and a lot of work, you are such a great mom!!!!

Andrea B. said...

Gotta love the rain. Sorry!! Sounds like you made lemonade out of lemons!