Time Away

Our View, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

We had such a great time camping with the HSWH. We loved hanging out, spending time, and getting to know Don’s kids and their families better. They’re such great people and we’re thankful they invited us along and let us in on the annual camping trip. Thanks so much to Mom and Don as well. You two are amazing people and we love you both very much. Also… the Kevster, and getting to ride down the river on the rubber raft with you… very fun, sort of. Bet you’re still wondering why you agreed to come along on that little sojourn. And, lastly… Weston… he was such a great little guy on this trip. He got to be off his lead quite a bit and he handled himself like a little gentleman. He never really ran off, and he was so good around the kids and in camp. He also got to make friends with Luke, which I think, after much sniffing, he liked very much. We’re lucky… he’s a really great little guy, a guy who had a spectacular time. In fact, he had such a great time it took him two days of sleeping, a lot, to recover.

Now, we’re home again, back at work, doing our work thing… but it was so good to get away, relax, enjoy the peace, enjoy the company of great people, and just be for awhile. Camping is good. I mean, what could be better than nature, quiet, a slower pace, long days, and simplicity.

Chai

Chai, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Karen made chai, of course, and used this HUGE cup that Kev brought along. This thing was big, and Karen was one happy girl.

Biscuits and Gravy

Biscuits and Gravy, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Camping with Mom and Don is amazing. Someone says, oh, I’d like biscuits and gravy and whallah… biscuits and gravy. Not to mention the sausage, bacon, and good camp coffee that went with it.

Morning

Morning, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Sunday, the last day, I woke up earlier than I had been and was able to catch the sunrise and the mist out over the lake. It was quiet, and absolutely stunning.

Sunset at Davis Lake

Sunset at Davis Lake, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Our last evening brought us a fantastic dinner of ribs cooked over a fire, cowboy beans heated up on the camp stove, and a beautiful sunset.

Karen and Kevin

Kevin and Karen, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Later on Saturday Karen and Kevin took the kayak back down the river to the lake to explore and paddle around a bit. I think Kev liked it.

Perched

Perched, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

I took some random shots while we were at Davis Lake. This is one of them. I loved how this log was just sort of perched there, bleached out by the sun.

Luke

Luke, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Saturday some of our party packed it up and headed home. We stayed until Sunday, but Luke and his people, Shelley and Nate, were some of the folks who took off. I think he was sad to go, and I think Weston was sad to see him go.

Mom and Me

Mom and Me, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

On Saturday Mom and I took the kayak for a spin. We went out toward the main body of the lake, then turned around and headed up stream with the intent of taking the kayak back to the camp site. We almost made it, but couldn’t quite get passed the last turn and the last stretch of stream before the camp site. We paddled with all our might, but kept getting pushed backwards and toward the bank by the current. Karen said she could hear us laughing before she saw us. I ended up getting out of the kayak and pulling it the rest of the way to shore, with mom inside paddling to help me along. We had a really great time.

Getting to Know Each Other

Getting to Know Each Other, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Weston and Luke getting better acquainted with each other. They played, they sniffed, they bonded.

Orange Fire

Orange Fire, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Friday had us hiking around enjoying some of the beautiful wild flowers, trees, and scenery in the area.

Bald Eagles

Bald Eagles, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Sunset our second night at Davis Lake was beautiful and made even more so by the two Bald Eagles sitting watching over the area.

Our First Dinner

Our First Dinner, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

All I can say is… Yum! There’s nothing like steaks cooked over a fire. Add garlic, and presto… fantastic main course.  Made especially tasty by the fact that we were exhausted and sore from kayaking.

Down Stream

Down Stream, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Thursday, our first full day camping, Karen and I decided to take the little mister along on a kayaking trip down this river, out into Davis Lake, and all the way across… then back. It ended up being a three hour trip and by the time we got back to camp we were a couple of sore muscled babes.

Native Resident

Native Resident, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

These little guys were everywhere. They tortured Weston. He would see one and take off after it, cornering it under our car or up a tree. He had great fun, though he never did catch one. Thank goodness.

First Meeting

First Meeting, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

Weston and Luke saw each other for the first time under controlled circumstances. They’d actually met before this, but that was a while ago, Thanksgiving I think.

Camping at Davis Lake

Summer Flowers, originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl.

We left our place last Wednesday, July 16, after work at about 6:00 PM and pulled into the Davis Lake campground at about 10:00 PM. Nothing like good music and good company to take a person down the road. We got to Davis Lake, set up our tent, blew up our air mattress, threw in our sleeping bags, and then chatted briefly before heading to bed.

The next morning Don took me out to see this little batch of flowers growing in this old stump in the water. Very pretty.