melissatwa's Journal, 15 Aug 22

You went camping? Did you sleep in a tent and on the ground? I couldn't camp. I might be able to get into a sleeping bag but never get out. Looks like a pretty place though and I love wild blackberries! 

Gorgeous! Madrona... my fave of all time! 

You know it, Chris! This one was hanging over the bank just tempting people to climb out on it... But it was a good hundred foot drop to the beach, so a really good way to get seriously hurt or dead. It doesn't look like it is that far, but we saw it from below too! 😂Fritzy, yes, we were tenting. This is Camano Island on the Puget Sound. I have a good REI camping mat that makes sleeping on the ground not too bad! I love, love camping. It was so relaxing! I think most people find it a lot of work, and it is, but it is such a lovely change of pace!!!  

Love camping! 

Beautiful.  

Love these pics and they reminded me that I forgot to respond to your text. oops.  

Love it! So beautiful. We used to go camping occasionally, I always loved it, though our accommodations were very basic. Such fun!  

We love camping, haven't done it this year, so busy with wedding reception stuff. Hope to go in October, just before it gets too cold up north!! 

this looks like an amazing time! 

Oh I love that photo! What a grand time!:)💙 

Can you believe I’ve never been camping? True story. Your pictures almost make me want to try. 😂😂 

Camping under the stars, a little bit of heaven! Lucky you :) 

Wow, awesome pictures! How beautiful and it looks so peaceful 💗 

These are beautiful pictures! Sounds like a great camping trip. Wifey, you should try camping...it's a blast!👍💜 

I haven't been camping since I was a Boy Scout. I miss it too. We enjoy hiking but my Wife is not interested at all in camping. I'm glad you guys enjoyed yourselves. Great family activity!!! 

I could do RV camping like you Diana. 😁 But a tent? No. 🤭 

Sounds lovely 

Thank you, all! We three had a wonderful time! I used to camp a lot as a kid, and when we got married we went pretty often. After the kids started coming, we barely went at all until the youngest two were about 5. Then we started up again. We only had a mini van, so it was awfully tight taking enough stuff for 7 people plus all the gear and food. I am not sure how we did it! We didn’t have a cartop carrier, but I did get a backpack thing that could hang off the hatchback, which could hold light and bulky stuff like sleeping bags. Good times! John, my man is not an avid camper! He begrudgingly comes along, but then he always has fun! He made up the best stories for the kids when we were all camping together… spooky and crazy tales are best told around a campfire or when listening to night sounds while all snuggled together in a single tent! Good memories often are the bonding experiences that are not always comfortable! “The last trip to the bathroom” is a story my kids will never forget! Believe me, they wanted lights and a parent to accompany them on their late night trips to the toilet when it required a walk through the forest! Gleeful giggles ring in my ears as I think of those times! This trip was very nice! Many years ago I took our three girls along with our new German girl (she was 16) a few weeks after she came to live with us. We went to this same campground! She had never been camping and fell in love! Wifey, it is worth the little bit of dirt and discomfort!!  

Melissa, you’ll have to do a lot of convincing! 😂😂 But I love your story of what your family did. Warmed my heart. 🥰🥰🥰 

Looks like a very fun trip. You deserve it.