Happy birthday, Billy Boy/Daddio/Grandpa! We're bummed that we missed being with you but we're pumped that this will likely be the last one we don't celebrate together!
Jedediah Smith Campground is home to the last wild nature river (undamned) in California and boy, it's a beauty! It's also home to about 13 trillion Mosquitos - thank you $9 June Lake bug spray.
Kier and Lily set out early to catch tadpoles in the river; this time they brought along her bug box so she could enjoy one or two for the morning.
We broke camp and hit the road, headed for Stout Grove, home of 300 foot tall Coastal Redwoods. What would've been a pleasant stroll was made perilous by exposure to massive cliff drop-offs and boundless bushels of poison oak. Kier and I spent 90% of the hike rescuing our children from near death but you would've never known had you just been watching them; the Girls had the time of their lives in those woods! There were sword fights and games of hide and seek, fort making and tree climbing... oh, to be 4 and 2 again!
Our next destination was Crater Lake, which would finally put us across the California state line! The drive was only about 3 hours so we took our time, enjoying a decent lunch in Grants Pass and treating the girls to some home made chocolate at the candy shop next door to the restaurant.
The first time you lay eyes on Crater Lake is shocking to say the least. None of us had ever seen a lake so blue in all our lives - Lily said it best when she shouted "WOAH! You guys see that?! That's the bluest blue in the whole world!" If you ever have an opportunity to get to that Park you must; it's absolutely beautiful.
We drove through the various campground areas, seeking out the perfect site to roast hot dogs and marshmallows (purchased moments earlier from the camp store) when we came around a bend to find two tiny towhead girls who looked to be about 4 and 2 standing on the side of the road. We knew we'd found the place. It was immediate friendship; the girls dug in the dirt and played tag and shared toys for the next several hours. Genevieve and Adelle's mom and dad proved to be as awesome as their kids! We enjoyed hanging with them so much that we picked up right where we left off the next morning. Traveling this way is so special in so many ways and meeting fun/cool/interesting people as you go makes the journey even more meaningful.
(Banana Slug at our campsite at Jedediah Smith Campground)
Clark's Nutcracker
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