Camping: Best Wholsome Recreational Activity

I love the mountains.  I love the rolling hills.

I love the valleys. I love the daffodils.

I love the fireside, When all the lights are low.

Boom-dee-ah-dah, Boom-dee-ah-dah

Boom-dee-ah-da, Boom-dee-ah-dah

Our family spent the 4th of July camping up by Mount Rainier.  The kids were all bummed we wouldn't be seeing fireworks this year, but were all amazed when the booms we heard down below sounded just like cannons bringing images of the Revolutionary War (and all wars of freedom that have been fought) closer to home.  It was mesmerizing. 



Yes, he is feral.  But he survived the camping trip!



The temperature was beautiful.  Perfect, really.  It was so great to watch as one by one each person in the family relaxed and "joined" the family again.  You know how it goes, as life gets busy the family tends to just live together rather than enjoy life together.  This camping trip brought back that feeling of unity and love we've been missing the past few weeks.  As we hiked, played, dunked our heads in the frigid water, and sat around the campfire, our hearts were warmed toward one another once again. 

Another one of little D., just 'cuz he's so cute!

I don't think any of us were ready to come home...well, at least until we realized we'd be sleeping in our very own beds again.  :-)  And as we descended into our hometown, the heat added to our desires to be back up in the mountains. 



Can you see the hammock?  This is my husband's interpretation of heaven.



I would have to agree with my father-in-law here that, "Going camping is like going to heaven." 

I think our family experienced a little peace of heaven in the mountains last week. I can't wait to do it again!  :-)