camping for father's day

This was it! The weekend had finally come! Miah was still a little on the non-eating side but was keeping food down & starting to act like his usual self. So we loaded the car with the entire house (so it seemed) and started the 3 hour drive to Lake Isabella. This was to be our first on-our-own camping trip (since we camped with another family last year), a chance to see new land, and a time for "papa" to celebrate his day =]

Zeke was playing the "mad hatter" as he piled on every hat he could find- he's a great traveler!

Once we got there, we found a seemingly perfect spot under a shade tree and quickly pitched our tent before the sun went down. (Doesn't it look like Zeke is telling Char what to do? =])

And here's the pretty lake we were anticipating playing and fishing in the next day:

Unfortunately, soon after we pitched the tent and started our camp fire to roast hot dogs, a smell hit our nostrils. An unmistakable stench to which I quickly found the camp host to inform that the fish cleaning station was filled to the brim of disgusting rotting fish heads and ruining our enjoyment. To which he replied "if you don't like it, then move". Yes, I got a comment card and yes, it's going in the mail tomorrow.

With the sun already set and the boys ready to be tucked in, we decided to stay put and see what happens in the morning. Snuggled in our sleeping bags, we are kept awake by partiers- apparently the strictly enforced quiet time of 10-6 isn't strictly enforced. Yada, yada, yada, it's late, the campground is finally calming, we're drifting off, when suddenly my eyes fling open to find the roof of our tent inches from my face. It pops back up in fine order only for all four sides to suck in simultaneously to almost touching and then they return to proper position. For the next 6 hours, I felt like I was on a boat. Literally felt the floor of the tent lifting off and then setting us back down. I had no idea it got so windy on this lake.

Thankfully, we were able to rest for a few hours before the boys awoke ready to start the day. As we were eating breakfast, the lil' fishes were being removed and so promising a better smelling day. But! I forgot to bring bath towels so we piled in the car to see the rest of the lake and stop at the store before starting our water fun.

On the way, we found this Cali King Snake sunning (at first sight we thought it was a rattler and were going to run it over but these ones are keepers =])

enjoyed a yummy peach

went off- roading & four wheeling to which the boys enjoyed throwing in rocks

while Char tried his hand at fishing (no luck this time :[ )

We made the loop. Purchased a towel. Arrived at our tent only to find the wind had started again. Seriously miserable. We packed that place up and hit the road! It seems a shame we didn't enjoy the lake at all really. But who enjoys high wind??

We went farther north in search of quieter people, less wind, and beautiful creation. And we found in the Sequoia National Monument all 3.

Our new campsite at Quaking Aspen Campground:

Father's Day snuggles:

enjoying the morning sun

Char n I would have loved to stay there the rest of the week. It was wonderful. Unfortunately, I had packed for hot desertous weather and the Siquoias were rather chilly. Add to that Zeke wasn't feeling too good and had a huge blow out in his pants and the car (can anyone say "YUCK!"??). And so knowing we weren't prepared to handle anything more, we packed it up and on the way home enjoyed a few more sights as we meandered out of the forest.

This place is called "The Dome". Super cool rocks. Miah loved it. Zeke probably would have if he was feeling better.

What's a family adventure without the family photo?

And this is "The Dome" from the other side of the valley. There were a few people rappelling off the side while we were on top =]

We randomly found this crudely made shooting range off another 4wheeling road. He was able to play while I fixed lunch and got us prepared for our trip home =]

Another unfortunately, two hours after this shot, Zeke's belly couldn't take anymore. And all the way home he heaved everything up. He's doing much better now but it sure made for a crazy ride home and now a very stinky car :(