June was kind of a funny month. It felt busy with entire weeks of the calendar blocked off with VBS, Hi-Camp, and Dave's work travels. But, for me, most of it was spent at home waiting for my people to come back. When we flipped to July and saw a lot more blank spaces, I was itching to enjoy my family and some summer scenery! Even with the holiday, Dave couldn't swing any time off, so we tried something new-- an all girls camping trip! I snagged a last minute cancellation at our favorite mountain lake and we enjoyed a few days of fresh pine air, our favorite views, and the satisfaction of surviving on our own!
Delia and I joked that we'd never attempt this without Ella! She's our scientist/survivalist. This year we watched her start a fire (intentionally) with just an old battery and a gum wrapper! She didn't have to do anything like that, but Delia and I may have slept in a half assembled tent, or just wandered the forest lost from our campsite if Ella were not around to guide us! I was struck by the contrast of it! I can remember my first time fears of camping with kids and how hard it would be to take care of them, and now here my oldest is taking care of us.
After setting up camp, we always like to wander over to the book exchange and general store. Here we had some fun re-enacting a years' long family Pinecrest debate. On that one hiking trip around the lake many years ago, was I protecting Delia from the snake, or pushing her into it??? ;)
For grabbing a last minute spot, we had a pretty sweet campsite! Quiet, nice families all around us and one site next to us stayed empty-- unheard of in the summer at Pinecrest! We were right by the amphitheater and the good bathrooms and steps away from the lake. These spots go as soon as they open in February, but I've found over the years that if you can handle a last minute camping trip, cancellations always open up!
We packed up our blankets and movie snacks and caught the show in the amphitheater-- the new Indiana Jones! It was a fun movie to watch in this setting. The best part of a movie experience here is watching it outside under the stars with the outlines of trees and swooping, mosquito-eating bats framing the screen.
While Delia held down the fort at camp, Ella and I quick knocked out the 4 mile hike around the lake in an hour and a half. Ella was the hike leader, she sets a brisk pace. ;)
Few hikes have as varied of terrain as this lake loop which is one reason it sits in a Top Five spot on our favorite hikes list! (We discussed while hiking and another friend did ask me to share. If you're interested, other Top Five hikes are: Pipiwai Trail, The Crevice, Mist Trail, and the Creek Hike at Mount Hermon. Big hiking trip planned this summer, stay tuned for a possible shake up!)
On this hike, we cross creeks and squelch through mud, we walk through pine and bamboo forests and past rustic mountain cabins, we climb rocks and traverse bridges and get misted by a roaring river, and we hike along the dam with turquoise lake water pooled on one side and turbulent cliff-tumbling water on the other side. It is all magnificent!
The cooler temps in the mountains are always a delight until it's time to sleep! As cozy we we try to make our tent and as much as we all cuddle together, no one ever sleeps great. Good thing we return home to lazy summer days where make-up-sleep naps are easy to grab!
And, of course, no Pinecrest trip is complete with a day just enjoying the lake! We got a great spot on the beach this year and could even hang up the hammock to enjoy some lake views with our books and camping snacks.
The lake water is snow-melt cold, but the parts of you dangling off the raft into it always get used it after a bit of floating. This was my first big outing this summer and I'm so thankful we made it happen. Girls' Camping Trip was a success!
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