Father's Day Fun

Like Mother's Day, we decided to make Doug's Father's Day celebration mainly on Saturday so that we could enjoy the day and not have to rush on Sunday to get ready for the week.  Doug has been wanting to take Cal camping since after our first successful hiking trip. However, the weather was too cold when we could have gone, and many weekends were already full of stuff as the weather warmed. We figured Father's Day would be a good time to make our first camping trip with Cal. We have debated car camping vs. a hike-in tent camping. We finally decided on hiking in to a spot, but felt it best to go somewhere familiar where we knew the spots, and to pick one with only a short hike-in so we could hike out quickly if needed. 

We have hiked the Burrell's Ford area several times before, and really enjoyed it. There is a trail that leads to Ellicott Rock, and we like to camp in first come first serve spots along the trail. There is a nearby walk in campground, but we have opted for back packing in. We decided that I would carry Callen in his pack and Doug would hike in with his pack. Once we found a spot, Doug would hike out and get my pack...we had just a bit too much stuff to pack it all into Doug's pack. Luckily, we found a spot a short 10 minutes in, so Doug was back with my pack within 15-20 minutes. Let the fun begin...

Getting ready for our adventure

Each of us with our packs

After getting our campsite set up, we went for a hike up the trail towards Ellicott Rock. We did not go the entire way,  but just leisurely hiked for about 45 minutes before turning around. Once back at the spot, Cal crawled all around (although he didn't like his knees touching the ground, so he would bear crawl everywhere), stood on rocks and put his feet in the water, and just enjoyed looking around at everything going on. We put him in the tent to play for a while so he would get used to being in there and not scared when he woke in the morning in a strange place. We gave Cal the tent with two Therm-a-Rest mattresses while Doug and I set up hammocks and slept in those. Cal had an entire tent to himself, but opted to sleep in the corner with his head and face buried as close to the edge as possible! 

Our set up

Callen helping Doug saw wood for the campfire

Tending to the campfire with Doug

Cal had a GREAT time. He loved sitting by the water and playing with the rocks. Doug took a quick 'bath' in the water at one point, and Cal got so excited because he thought he was going to get to go swimming with Doug. He did well playing by himself as well. Doug had packed an extra sheet of plastic in case we needed it for under the tent. It turned out to be a good throw in because Cal sat on that for most of the time while we set up and then took down. He could crawl around and play without getting completely dirty...which he did MANY times over the 2 days when he moved off the plastic! He may not have liked putting his knees on the ground, but he liked to put all the dirt and sticks in his mouth!

Play time in the tent...'let me out of here!'

Playing on the tarp. We only took in 2 toys...not sure he even touched them!

Bear crawling over the dirt and sticks!

We had a really good time. Cal did awesome. He slept all night long, and it didn't seem to bother him that he was in a tent and not his crib. He has loved being outside since he was a newborn. If Cal is ever upset, take him outside, and all is right with the world again. We figured he would do well, but you never know when you put a baby in an unfamiliar setting.  Doug and I want to be able to take Cal camping as much as we are able over the next few years so that he grows to love it and wants to go when he is older. We want him to have lasting memories of hiking and camping with his parents just as Doug does. I know those were special times and are still special memories for Doug. 

Hanging out in the hammock after waking up

Cal loved the hammock and would sit and let us swing him

Doug and I love taking feet pictures...we love the addition of Cal's foot!

I would say our first camping trip with Callen was a success, and look forward to going again. If anyone wants to join, we have an awesome spot that would accommodate lots of people!