Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Camping at Oak Creek Canyon


We took advantage of the kids' October Break from school & went camping last weekend.  It was beautiful, and the weather was perfect- much better than the record-setting triple digits that was goin' on at home!


We stayed at a campground in Oak Creek Canyon
called 'Manzanita'.  I'm pretty sure' it's because of these -
Manzanita Trees, right? They were all over,
so it makes sense!



I had the kids each set out their tennis shoes for the trip, but my mistake was that I didn't notice that Danika didn't set hers out.  So... since she had only worn flip flops there, this is what she ended up wearing the whole time camping:

Jacqueline's sandals with socks!  Beautiful, huh! 
Last time it was the coats, this time Danika's shoes...
I can't imagine what we'll forget next time!


And THIS is what Danika looked like after playing a while.  She really enjoyed the dirt.


We decided to go for a hike.  We actually hiked pretty far, especially for Danika!  But the kids all did well & enjoyed it.





We were ALL worn out by the time we made it back to our campsite though!



And once again... Danika wasn't so happy about the potties, except this time I got pictures!

I didn't capture any of her tears on camera, but you get the jist of her trips to the potty.  She would make sure her nose was plugged before going into the bathroom, & then she kept it plugged the entire time.  We knew when she needed to use the bathroom, because she'd say "I want to go home!" She didn't want to say 'I need to go potty' like she normally would have, because then she'd have to use the potty there!  I tried explaining to her how this is easier than digging a hole like we've done sometimes on prior camping trips, but she was too busy being miserable whining about these camp potties!

Ryan researched beforehand on the internet, & before heading home drove us to "Oak Creek Vista", not too far from our campground.  It was really pretty- I even thought it was almost like the Grand Canyon but with lots of green trees!




It didn't take long for Danika & Harrison to find a spot to sit & play with the dirt & rocks again.  That was deifinitely a high point for them on this trip!


  It was my first time trying tinfoil dinners; very yummy!  And our first time having skunks as regulars at our campground!  -they always stayed away when Ryan's camera was out, of course! 
It was a nice, cool get-away weekend!  Wish we could do that more often!

4 comments:

Gwyn said...

Wow! I almost feel like I was w/you from all the pictures. Gorgeous scenery--but the kids are the best thing @ the pictures. I love Danika's face when going in where the potty is.

Katie said...

Oh man! Oak creek was my favorite place to go with my family growing up... well, I guess second to the ranch.

Debbie said...

I know, I loved Oak Creek growing up too- and you know what's SAD is they don't even let you camp wherever you want anymore. In the whole 'red rock' area, you're ONLY allowed to camp in the designated campsites! So lame. But it's still pretty, just with lots of people camping next to you!

Kathy C said...

Looks like you had a great time! How fun! My favorite picture is the one of Danika all covered in dirt. She would make a beautiful homeless child. :)

PS I LOVE your new profile pic!