Smith Lake

Back in my college days (Do I talk about those days a lot? They were happy times.) I used to go backpacking quite a bit. I continued to backpack after graduation when I was pregnant with Cayben. We backpacked with Cayben when he was little. Then we had a second child and we couldn't figure out how to carry at least one child and enough gear for four people to hike to a beautiful back-country landscape and camp. So we didn't. We car camped instead.

Well finally. Finally! Our backpacking days have returned!

On Friday while the kids were in school, Shay and I gathered all our camping gear- sleeping bags, pads, tent, clothes, food, stove, etc. and shoved most of it into and onto two backpacks. Cayben had mentioned he would like to carry a pack, so we bought a little pack that fit just his sleeping bag and pad. We rounded up two more little packs so the girls could feel awesome too! (Solee carried some of our most valuable items- 3 boxes of candy that would serve as motivators to make it to the lake.)

Embrie, Solee, & Cayben

After the kids got out of school we headed up to Plumas National Forest. When we got to the trail head, the weather was cooling and the kids were ready to make the moderately steep 1 mile hike to Smith Lake!

The hike was slow because three year-olds are easily distracted, but we made it and without any complaining from the kids!

Shay, Solee, Cayben, & Embrie

Next, the kids ate their candy and Shay and I set up the tent. The evening was spent enjoying the quiet forest and watching the sunset. And only two of the three kids fell into the cold lake! Haha!

 

The night sky was beautiful and we all slept peacefully.

We woke to the crisp morning air on Saturday and waited for the sun to peak over the trees and warm us. On camping trips I always anticipate the warm direct sun and am drawn to the patches of earth that are being kissed with its golden glory. This fallen tree in the sun was calling my name and I greeted it with some sun-salutations and stretching.

We spent the day enjoying the lake and even swam a little.

We hiked out Saturday afternoon. The hike out was accompanied with a little complaining from the kids due to the heat, and Solee required I carry her the majority of the time, but we made it.

We did it! Our first family backpacking trip since the girls were born. It was so fun, and Solee is already asking to go back.