First Camping Trip

Last weekend we went on our first camping trip with 5 kids! Wow! Our friends, Steve and LuAnn Petrovich, have a tent trailer that they let us borrow which made "camping" with the babies so much better.

We wanted to take the trailer out for an overnight trip so that we could get the feel of it and know what we'd need for next time. We were looking for a close campground, somewhere that would only take an hour or so to get there, so that if there were any problems, it wouldn't be a super long trip back home. We decided to head toward Heber City. My cousin, Nikki, lives in Heber so, since neither Spence or I was familiar with the area, I called to get her expert advice. She suggested I look into the Wasatch Mountain State Park in Midway, knowing there were multiple campsites, fishing for the kids, and it was close to Heber. She also told me there was a Crater to see, Dairy Keen to eat at, and Deer Creek Reservoir nearby.

So Friday after Spence got home from work we took off. We drove through Park City and arrived at Wasatch Mountain in good time. We found a good campsite and Spence quickly set up the trailer while the kids explored our little area.



Then we loaded back up in the car and drove into Heber for dinner. We took Nikki's advice and ate at Dairy Keen. Besides their world famous burgers and shakes, they had the greatest soda pop dispenser that I wish I would have taken a picture of. You touched a screen to choose a basic soda (they had everything you can think of) and then another screen came up with flavors that could be added. I had peach Sprite-zero! YUM-O! We shared a fresh raspberry shake...even Harrison & Madi got a taste!




We took a few pictures in front of their train and then headed back to camp. Heber Valley is a beautiful area. We really enjoyed sight-seeing on our way back. We got back to the trailer, prepared the sleeping arrangements, and then I got the babies ready for bed while Spence and boys started the campfire. We made a lame attempt at S'mores and then sat around the fire and watched it burn. We even got out our emergency flashlights (that look like light sabers) and let the babies play with them.




The following morning we decided to head out pretty early. We stopped to let the kids fish. My dad used to have a quote printed that said, "Fishing holes are not for serious fishing...they are quiet waters for reflection. They are for the very young and the very old. Fathers take their sons to fishing holes...they take their fathers, also." I used to make fun of him for that quote but as I watched my husband fish with his sons, it came to my mind. Nobody caught anything that morning but it was a good experience. I just sat back and watched (while the babies slept in their carseats.)










It took A LOT of work to go camping for just one night and we learned a few things for future trips this summer:

#1...Plan to go for more than one night. It takes about the same amount of effort to get packed and ready for one night as it does for multiple nights. Then when you get to the campsite, you can actually relax, knowing you'll have time to enjoy the trailer, campfire, exploring, etc.
#2...If at all possible, find a campsite where you can pitch a tent for Cam, Gavin, and Owen to sleep in. Having 7 people in the trailer was just a little big crowded.
#3...Try to start the making of s'mores before dusk. Roasting marshmallows with 3 eager boys without much daytime left can be stressful. If you begin the process a little earlier, it will be more enjoyable for all parties.
#4...As difficult as it is, try to keep the babies on their schedule. In our case, Madi didn't want to go to bed until well past midnight. That makes for a very tired momma!
#5...Expect accidents to happen. Gavin tripped and skinned his knee & hand, Owen fell and bonked his head on the picnic table.

That being said, we've already planned our next outing. Luckily, this time around we'll be in Bear Lake and my parents will be there to help out!