The Fabulous Mis-adventures of Nessa and Eener
Mom and I really had WAY too much fun camping. It was great to just relax and be silly, and be outdoors. It's one of our favorite things to do, always has been. :)
We got a late start on Friday, of course. After the family get together (which was actually unexpectedly really fun), Mom and I came back, and got Papa settled, then packed the car. We made two quick stops, and then drove 16 miles to Seaquest State Park. (Click that link, then click on camp site maps on the right of the page, then click on B (Sites 22, 55-76). We were in #72)
By the time we got there it was around 7, and was rapidly getting dark. We found the campsite we'd reserved (the quaint and lovely little #72) and set up our tent quickly while we still had light enough to see. Then while I unloaded the rest of the stuff from the car
Mom set up the propane lantern we'd bought so we'd have light to see to make dinner. It took me a little bit, and I worked up a good sweat, but I finally got all our stuff out of the car. I rested a little, and took a few more pics.
Our campsite was a nice one, small, but cozy with steps coming down a little slope from where we parked the car. This is from the top of the steps. Mom is starting to make our dinner
which was Hobo Stew. It's hamburger, carrots, potatoes, celery, and big chunks of onions nicely spiced, wrapped in foil so you can throw it in the fire and let it cook. While they cooked, we played this kid's game we found called Loot, which has a pirate theme. There was lots of arrrr-ing and calling each other matey. Mom creamed me, 64 to 39, and then we ate our stew. Good night, it was delicious. Mom had poured a little of our beer in with each one, so it was nice and juicy and flavorful. Yum!
Friday was also Mom's birthday, so after dinner I pulled out some apple cinnamon muffins, stuck some candles in one,
and sang "Happy Birthday" to my best friend. The muffins were a little dry, but still tasty. We sat up until around 3am just talking, and sitting by the fire, and then we went to bed.
Next morning, Saturday, around 11:30am, Mom woke me up. We'd bought these elevated air mattresses, and they were so cushy, we both slept like logs. After breakfast, we made a little video with my camera:
Obviously we were having bad hair days, but who cares? We were CAMPING!
After that we explored the park a bit, walking up to the ranger station to find a map of the trails we knew ran through the park so we could go for a little walk. We picked the "Nature Trail", which was off to the side of the "Day Use Area", where people come in to picnic. It was a nice little walk, around a quarter of a mile, through these pristine woods. It was so peaceful, and beautiful, a nice cool, sunny day. I took quite a few pics, and these are the best ones.
A little ways into the trail, Mom found this seat carved out of a log, and wanted to sit for a minute.
Furry fungus, just hanging out next to the trail.
More fungus. I have a thing about mushrooms. :P
This picture doesn't do it justice, but the branches here arched over the trail, and were all hanging with moss. The light was filtering down, and it was just so pretty.
This tree had fallen, and the trunk of it was actually across the path, and had been cut through so the path was clear.
Apparently, the woodpeckers really like this snag.
I was walking down the path, and heard a bunch of squeaks and rustling in the undergrowth just ahead of me. I'd startled several ground squirrels. Three of them ran up this tree, and this little guy posed for me. Then another of his buddies and he started chirping at me. I took some video, because it was too cute to be real.
I didn't realize when I shot the video that I can't rotate the video after I take it. :P They were cute as hell anyway.
We'd gone on our walk pretty early in the afternoon, and when we got back I fixed us lunch. I found this little guy
on a leaf up near the steps, and I thought he was so furry and cute that he was just begging to have his picture taken.
While we were eating, the mosquitoes started swarming me, big time. I couldn't even take a bite of lunch without getting one in my mouth. YUK! So I pulled out my stuff that I never go camping without, and started doing my anti-mosquito ritual. Mom thought it was so funny, that she took this video.
They left me alone after that, little bastards. Most pointless animals ever.
Anyway, so after lunch, we walked around the park a little more, and ended up over in the RV loop, where the camp host was selling bundles of wood. We needed some, so we picked out one with tons of cedar in it. We also noticed (Mom noticed it first) a little gourd on the picnic table in front of the camp host's trailer. Mom is curious about everything, so she went over to look at it and we found this adorable little scene.
We commented about it to the host, and he told us that there was a little story that went with the scene. The pale guy off by himself stole the princess's (bear sticker) best dress (you can tell by the clothes hanger), and now her bodyguards are trying to get it back. He also said that all of the little toys had been found all over the camp in different sites after they'd been vacated. Hee!
Delicious hamburgers for dinner, and s'mores, plus we played the CSI board game, and I won! :) Bed at around 3am again. :P
The next day, Sunday, our last full day, we slept WAY in, waking up just before 1pm. :P We'd planned to drive up the highway a bit and look at Mt. St. Helens, and go down into Castle Rock to check my cell phone messages, but we didn't feel like driving, and my cell phone was dead, so we scrapped those plans.
I made French Toast over the fire (my first time ever making French Toast...turned out pretty good, really) and ham for breakfast/lunch. Afterward we drove down to the Chevron about 2 miles down the road for smokes, then stopped by the camp host for more wood.
We parked the car, and decided to try the 2-mile loop trail that we'd seen the day before on the map. We started out at about 5:30pm, and took this video on the way.
It was a really nice walk, great excercise, through different kinds of forest, alders, pines, and some that looked like old growth timber, but really wasn't. Here's some of the best pics from that walk, sorry that they're a little dark, but...well...it was getting dark.
We stepped off the start of the trail and into this amazing scene, huge trees just dripping with moss. It was like something out of a fantasy novel.
This moth just caught my eye, sitting on the side of a tree. I thought the texture differences looked neat.
We came around the corner, and saw this amazing anthill. It was probably about 4 and 1/2 feet high, and looked like it was made entirely out of pine needles. There were thousands of ants crawling all over it. A bit further down the trail, I just happened to notice this, and took a video. It was really dark, so it's very hard to see,
but it was literally an ant HIGHWAY about 2 inches wide, and right next to the path, going on for about 20 or so yards from the anthill, before it disappered into the forest on the other side of the trail. It was totally amazing to see, and I'm really sory for the poor quality, and darkness of the video.
Later on, there was a sign next to the trail that simply read "Steps Ahead"...and they weren't kidding. This is from the other side of the steps that led down into a small ravine to cross a little bridge. There were about 20 or so steps down, and the same back up the other side.
Mom found some big, fat huckleberries, and blissed out on them. I hate them, they're too bitter for my taste.
It got too dark to take pictures after that, but we walked for another 30 minutes or so. We'd luckily thought to bring flashlights with us, so we didn't get totally lost in the dark. I also came back with a great walking stick, nice and straight, and the perfect height for me. :)
We got back to our camp at around 7:30, and started our final dinner. Something simple: beans, weenies and mac and cheese, but it looked like a feast.
Yes, those are crumbled cheese-its on Mom's salad. :P I also made 1000 Island dressing that tasted horrible. :P
After that, we played Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit, and stunner of stunners, I actually won! Mom has kicked my ass at this game every time we've played it since I gave it to her for christmas, but she was off that night (Fly, you fools! MOM!!! :P)
Here's the picture to prove the geekery. ;)
We also were kept company by a bunch of moths and crane flies.
Apparently, this guy wanted to join the Fellowship. Hee!
We were all alone on our little loop of the campground last night, so we were really noisy. The night before we'd had 4 or 5 other groups near us, but they'd all left that afternoon. It was really nice. We went to be early for us, at aroun 1:30am.
Today, we woke up at 11am, and got busy packing up the camp. We were supposed to be out of the campground by 1pm, but we didn't end up being done until around 2:20. We walked around the campsite, saying goodbye, and Mom took lots of pictures. A red-headed woodpecker showed up and sat on a tree above us picking bugs out of the bark.
It was such a relaxing, sweet weekend. The weather held most of the time, only really raining last night after we went to bed, plus a few sprinkles here and there. It was so quiet and peaceful and just nice. I'm sore, and covered with small scratches and bruises (damned picnic table!!), but I'm SOOOO happy! Coming back to reality sucked big time, and going back to work tomorrow will probably suck even more, but I'll deal with it. The kitties were very happy to see us, although Papa was really cranky when we got home.
Now it's time for bed. I'm sure I'll think of more things to tell you while I'm sleeping. ;)
EDIT: Made public so Mom can link it for her Flist. ;) HI MOM'S FLIST!!!!
We got a late start on Friday, of course. After the family get together (which was actually unexpectedly really fun), Mom and I came back, and got Papa settled, then packed the car. We made two quick stops, and then drove 16 miles to Seaquest State Park. (Click that link, then click on camp site maps on the right of the page, then click on B (Sites 22, 55-76). We were in #72)
By the time we got there it was around 7, and was rapidly getting dark. We found the campsite we'd reserved (the quaint and lovely little #72) and set up our tent quickly while we still had light enough to see. Then while I unloaded the rest of the stuff from the car
Mom set up the propane lantern we'd bought so we'd have light to see to make dinner. It took me a little bit, and I worked up a good sweat, but I finally got all our stuff out of the car. I rested a little, and took a few more pics.
Our campsite was a nice one, small, but cozy with steps coming down a little slope from where we parked the car. This is from the top of the steps. Mom is starting to make our dinner
which was Hobo Stew. It's hamburger, carrots, potatoes, celery, and big chunks of onions nicely spiced, wrapped in foil so you can throw it in the fire and let it cook. While they cooked, we played this kid's game we found called Loot, which has a pirate theme. There was lots of arrrr-ing and calling each other matey. Mom creamed me, 64 to 39, and then we ate our stew. Good night, it was delicious. Mom had poured a little of our beer in with each one, so it was nice and juicy and flavorful. Yum!
Friday was also Mom's birthday, so after dinner I pulled out some apple cinnamon muffins, stuck some candles in one,
and sang "Happy Birthday" to my best friend. The muffins were a little dry, but still tasty. We sat up until around 3am just talking, and sitting by the fire, and then we went to bed.
Next morning, Saturday, around 11:30am, Mom woke me up. We'd bought these elevated air mattresses, and they were so cushy, we both slept like logs. After breakfast, we made a little video with my camera:
Obviously we were having bad hair days, but who cares? We were CAMPING!
After that we explored the park a bit, walking up to the ranger station to find a map of the trails we knew ran through the park so we could go for a little walk. We picked the "Nature Trail", which was off to the side of the "Day Use Area", where people come in to picnic. It was a nice little walk, around a quarter of a mile, through these pristine woods. It was so peaceful, and beautiful, a nice cool, sunny day. I took quite a few pics, and these are the best ones.
A little ways into the trail, Mom found this seat carved out of a log, and wanted to sit for a minute.
Furry fungus, just hanging out next to the trail.
More fungus. I have a thing about mushrooms. :P
This picture doesn't do it justice, but the branches here arched over the trail, and were all hanging with moss. The light was filtering down, and it was just so pretty.
This tree had fallen, and the trunk of it was actually across the path, and had been cut through so the path was clear.
Apparently, the woodpeckers really like this snag.
I was walking down the path, and heard a bunch of squeaks and rustling in the undergrowth just ahead of me. I'd startled several ground squirrels. Three of them ran up this tree, and this little guy posed for me. Then another of his buddies and he started chirping at me. I took some video, because it was too cute to be real.
I didn't realize when I shot the video that I can't rotate the video after I take it. :P They were cute as hell anyway.
We'd gone on our walk pretty early in the afternoon, and when we got back I fixed us lunch. I found this little guy
on a leaf up near the steps, and I thought he was so furry and cute that he was just begging to have his picture taken.
While we were eating, the mosquitoes started swarming me, big time. I couldn't even take a bite of lunch without getting one in my mouth. YUK! So I pulled out my stuff that I never go camping without, and started doing my anti-mosquito ritual. Mom thought it was so funny, that she took this video.
They left me alone after that, little bastards. Most pointless animals ever.
Anyway, so after lunch, we walked around the park a little more, and ended up over in the RV loop, where the camp host was selling bundles of wood. We needed some, so we picked out one with tons of cedar in it. We also noticed (Mom noticed it first) a little gourd on the picnic table in front of the camp host's trailer. Mom is curious about everything, so she went over to look at it and we found this adorable little scene.
We commented about it to the host, and he told us that there was a little story that went with the scene. The pale guy off by himself stole the princess's (bear sticker) best dress (you can tell by the clothes hanger), and now her bodyguards are trying to get it back. He also said that all of the little toys had been found all over the camp in different sites after they'd been vacated. Hee!
Delicious hamburgers for dinner, and s'mores, plus we played the CSI board game, and I won! :) Bed at around 3am again. :P
The next day, Sunday, our last full day, we slept WAY in, waking up just before 1pm. :P We'd planned to drive up the highway a bit and look at Mt. St. Helens, and go down into Castle Rock to check my cell phone messages, but we didn't feel like driving, and my cell phone was dead, so we scrapped those plans.
I made French Toast over the fire (my first time ever making French Toast...turned out pretty good, really) and ham for breakfast/lunch. Afterward we drove down to the Chevron about 2 miles down the road for smokes, then stopped by the camp host for more wood.
We parked the car, and decided to try the 2-mile loop trail that we'd seen the day before on the map. We started out at about 5:30pm, and took this video on the way.
It was a really nice walk, great excercise, through different kinds of forest, alders, pines, and some that looked like old growth timber, but really wasn't. Here's some of the best pics from that walk, sorry that they're a little dark, but...well...it was getting dark.
We stepped off the start of the trail and into this amazing scene, huge trees just dripping with moss. It was like something out of a fantasy novel.
This moth just caught my eye, sitting on the side of a tree. I thought the texture differences looked neat.
We came around the corner, and saw this amazing anthill. It was probably about 4 and 1/2 feet high, and looked like it was made entirely out of pine needles. There were thousands of ants crawling all over it. A bit further down the trail, I just happened to notice this, and took a video. It was really dark, so it's very hard to see,
but it was literally an ant HIGHWAY about 2 inches wide, and right next to the path, going on for about 20 or so yards from the anthill, before it disappered into the forest on the other side of the trail. It was totally amazing to see, and I'm really sory for the poor quality, and darkness of the video.
Later on, there was a sign next to the trail that simply read "Steps Ahead"...and they weren't kidding. This is from the other side of the steps that led down into a small ravine to cross a little bridge. There were about 20 or so steps down, and the same back up the other side.
Mom found some big, fat huckleberries, and blissed out on them. I hate them, they're too bitter for my taste.
It got too dark to take pictures after that, but we walked for another 30 minutes or so. We'd luckily thought to bring flashlights with us, so we didn't get totally lost in the dark. I also came back with a great walking stick, nice and straight, and the perfect height for me. :)
We got back to our camp at around 7:30, and started our final dinner. Something simple: beans, weenies and mac and cheese, but it looked like a feast.
Yes, those are crumbled cheese-its on Mom's salad. :P I also made 1000 Island dressing that tasted horrible. :P
After that, we played Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit, and stunner of stunners, I actually won! Mom has kicked my ass at this game every time we've played it since I gave it to her for christmas, but she was off that night (Fly, you fools! MOM!!! :P)
Here's the picture to prove the geekery. ;)
We also were kept company by a bunch of moths and crane flies.
Apparently, this guy wanted to join the Fellowship. Hee!
We were all alone on our little loop of the campground last night, so we were really noisy. The night before we'd had 4 or 5 other groups near us, but they'd all left that afternoon. It was really nice. We went to be early for us, at aroun 1:30am.
Today, we woke up at 11am, and got busy packing up the camp. We were supposed to be out of the campground by 1pm, but we didn't end up being done until around 2:20. We walked around the campsite, saying goodbye, and Mom took lots of pictures. A red-headed woodpecker showed up and sat on a tree above us picking bugs out of the bark.
It was such a relaxing, sweet weekend. The weather held most of the time, only really raining last night after we went to bed, plus a few sprinkles here and there. It was so quiet and peaceful and just nice. I'm sore, and covered with small scratches and bruises (damned picnic table!!), but I'm SOOOO happy! Coming back to reality sucked big time, and going back to work tomorrow will probably suck even more, but I'll deal with it. The kitties were very happy to see us, although Papa was really cranky when we got home.
Now it's time for bed. I'm sure I'll think of more things to tell you while I'm sleeping. ;)
EDIT: Made public so Mom can link it for her Flist. ;) HI MOM'S FLIST!!!!