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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Camping & Creeking with the kids

The wooded area just to the right of our camping sight.
Here are a few wild scenes from my family's first official camping trip! It took a bit of courage to pack up five people for a weekend in the woods, tent and all, but I am so glad that we did it. And it went really well! Not too many bug bites, not a drop of rain, and just enough clean clothes to make it home.

We stayed in a truly beautiful spot - the side of a Pennsylvania mountain near a spring creek and a shallow river....
Here it is! Home for the next two nights and three days. We had a little work to do to set up. And yes, everything is on a slant...
All of the kids got to make their own tug boat! This was organized by one of the fun dad's who went along with us.
Our gang running for their first dip in the creek...
This cold water creek was that - cold! But so refreshing for a warm summer's day. This state park is beautiful in the simple lines of its structures, like this bridge.
Cooling off in the creek!
A frog spotted along the side.
My little boy having the time of his life. :)
Sun starting down through the trees for the evening.
The gang trying out their hiking skills.
My little fairy in the woods.
The mountain was dotted with the white blooms of Pennsylvania native Rhododendron.
One of the boys enjoying a perfect smore by the campfire.
My girl showing off her "Official Smore Tester" T-shirt. This design was actually my husband's idea! Check it out at the company he works for which makes nature-inspired apparel, Earth Sun Moon. Plenty of cute things for people who love gardens, birds, animals, etc.
Tubing! We made some little chutes for the kids to ride in the creek with their animal tubes.
My boy getting ready for the "plunge"! Just a little ride in ankle deep water, but daring enough to trill the little ones.
After the creek rides, we decided to take the tubes and head to the river. It is also not very deep, but oh so pretty a ride from here to there.
Anna testing out the river water with her life vest securely on... double tight for this mama!
Waiting for our turn in the tubes and admiring the scenery.
Hope you get a chance to be out enjoying summer weather as well!

13 comments:

  1. LOVED these photos so so much! Truly made me melt inside :) Looks like you all had such a wonderful time! Wish we could have been there with you all! Thanks so much for sharing photos!:)

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    1. :) You are welcome! Wish you could have been there too!
      ~Julie

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  2. Great pictures, brings back memories of taking our guys camping when they were little.

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    1. We are trying to treasure it all up now... kind of like trying to drink from a fire hose some days. Photos are so helpful to freeze all of these moments. :)
      ~Julie

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  3. I love that post ! It reminds me the good old times... my kids are now grown-up (or nearly) and I miss that period.

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  4. Looks like so much fun, and you got some great shots! How nice that the kids had so many playmates, too! A fun time was had by all, huh?! Wonderful!

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  5. That looks a really wonderful place, no wonder you had so much fun. The trees and ferns make it a magical place. it looks so cool and inviting, you must have had a wonderful break.

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  6. Kids + water = FUN! Looks like it was a great place to spend a couple of hot days! Your children are beautiful. We are lucky in PA to have so many nice, free, state parks! Which one was this?

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    1. Thanks Kim! Clear Creek State Park, which is part of Cook Forest SP, near Clarion, PA.

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  7. Oh, what park was it? Looks like such a lovely time! I'm in Central PA and always looking for a great PA destination.

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    1. Clear Creek State Park, which is part of Cook Forest SP, near Clarion, PA. It is definitely worth a trip! Once we decided to go there, everyone I talked to in town told me that it is a family favorite for them as well. The Clarion river is so much fun for canoeing and tubing. Hope you get to try it!

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  8. Everyone is having such a grand time...especially with those smores...brings back my childhood with great memories of playing in the creek near our home.

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