Explore Moore

Its all about the journey not the destination right? I took off 2 days this week so our family could go camping. We have had no rain here all summer until this past week. So we debated on where to go… constantly checking the weather to see where it would be the least likely down pour. Also with all the fires in Eastern WA, there has been a burn ban for most campgrounds all summer. What is camping without a fire? The other half of our mission was to find somewhere that allowed fires in the fire pits at campgrounds.

Sadie was about 1/4 mile from Kachess lake when she threw a rock. It dropped 2 feet in front of her and she said "I missed." as if she had a shot. Dream big Little one.  

sporting the new shirt (mountains and coffee check… cabins would be nice)

On Monday we decided to go to Kachess Lake which is just pass Snoqualmie Pass. It looked like the driest spot as most rain occurs on this side of the pass. So we drove the 1 and 1/2 hours there on Monday afternoon. We set up the hammock and the picnic tent and began making dinner. The kids roamed around the campsite but Wes and I never set up the tent. They had a burn ban still in effect. By the time we finishing eating and walking down to look at the lake Wes and I weren't too excited about just sleeping there and not being able to have a fire. Plus it was starting to sprinkle….So we loaded up the car and headed back to Seattle at about 7pm. We were  a little discouraged because we had planned on camping 2 nights somewhere. I don't know why we had a problem/felt like we would get bored just hanging around Kachess Lake without being able to have a fire for 2 days but we did. We did seize the opportunity to get Chick-fil-a as we passed Bellevue on the way back. That put some smiles on everyone's face.

Tuesday morning, Wes went to a meeting and the girls and I cleaned the house/ I packed up 4 bags of clothes and shoes I never wear to give away. That felt productive since my room was a disaster and I couldn't see the floor. Since we never unpacked the car of camping supplies we decided to try it again. We were determined. This time the weather looked like it was going clear up north toward Anacortes. Our favorite northwest BBQ place is located in Anacortes so again if camping failed we knew we could get some BBQ. We drove to Washington Park  on Fidaglo Island to camp. We had been here before with friends last summer. HERE

We were in luck as the rain had cleared off by the time we arrive around 1:30pm. When we got to the campground they also had burn ban signs out. But it rained so much I was just hoping they would allow fires in the campground pits. I called the Anacortes Fire Dept. to ask and the lady said "You're in luck! We lifted the fire ban just today. You can have contained fires at the campground". No one else seemed to know as we were the only people having fires. Some of our camping neighbors stopped by to ask us about it. Even the campground facility guy was surprised but trusted our word since we called  the fire dept. We might have been the only people in WA starting a fire on purpose yesterday. Anyway with no rain and fire approval we set up our tent this time to actually camp! The kids were happy too… they had been in the car a lot over the last 24 hours.

Dumbo bedtime stories 

At the scenic drive loop through park

Sadie messing with Sis probably

For being so close to the city of Anacortes, Washington Park feels like you are out in the middle of no-where. Such great views!

Wes does so much work when camping. It is a constant. Note the trash bag hanging under picnic tent. It reminded me of my grandfather setting up camp. The girls enjoyed roasting their veggie dogs too! They were old enough to roast on their own this year.

S'mores to end the night.

oatmeal for breakfast

Camping Cutie! 

Leighton's old "Explore More" t-shirt getting use on Sadie this year! They loved taking nature walks around campground. 

We needed the fire too. It was cold! The girls enjoyed staying warm drinking hot chocolate as well.

We did get Dad's Diner BBQ on Wed after camping for lunch and took it to Deception Pass on the way home for a picnic. So good.

My little rock-throwing Sadie girl.

And L rode her bike anywhere she could. 

Probably our last camping trip as a family this year. The girls sure do love it. As we were laying in our sleeping bags (Sadie had gotten out of hers and ended up in mine), Sadie whispers I love camping. Glad they are enjoying nature. I hope to instill a love for the outdoors in them, even if it is "glamping". Since we live it a big city it is good for all of our souls to escape every once and a while.