Our family has the beginnings of a great summer list. The children came up with the activities and I love how sweet and simple they all are. We are embracing the free time and the chance to do fun things as a family. Swimming is still number one on their list and probably our favorite summer activity. We also want to tackle a camping trip so my husband and I set out this weekend without the kiddos just to try it out. Fantastic trip and we can’t wait to take the children along. Here is a little recap. 
………………………….camping I am not entirely proud to admit that I had never been camping before! It wasn’t for lack of wanting to. It just never really came up. Well, I went once with my college girlfriends {12 of us!} to a beautiful lake in Michigan. It was much more like “Glamping” as we had a gorgeous home to sleep in and brought enough food to make some pretty delicious feasts. I guess it wasn’t exactly hardcore camping. Fun, nonetheless!!! My hubby grew up camping in Pennsylvania and absolutely loves it. A couple of weeks ago, he set up his tent for our kiddos in the yard. They LOVED it. In doing so, I saw how excited he was with the whole process. So we immediately made plans to go camping. I really wanted to be a part of something he loves so much. My sister let the kiddos “camp” at her lovely home for the weekend so we could head out to San Jacinto. It is only a couple of hours away and yet if felt like a whole different world. 
We took in the view along the way as we drove. At this spot, Vista Lookout, we took in the scenery which made us even more excited to find our campground. 
Although the car was nearby, we tried to be as minimalistic as possible. After a short hike, we had backpacking food that only required hot water to prepare. It was actually pretty darn yummy. Sitting by the bonfire at night was dreamy. We never even broke out the cards. Just talking and watching the fire was fantastic. 
Ah, I already miss our home away from home! I would be lying if I said it was my best night’s sleep. It wasn’t. But the tent was so much more comfy than I thought it would be. And there is something pretty magical about waking up to the sounds of birds chirping and seeing those gorgeous tall trees. 
I loved peeking out of the tent and seeing these in the morning. So beautiful. …………………..my camping tips Take a Therm-a-Rest mattress pad. My sister had these for us to borrow and they are awesome. Super light and roll up to fit in a back pack, but so soft and comfy to sleep on! 
Consider taking a Jetboil personal cooking system. {I was not sponsored to say this!} My husband had this and brought it along and it’s amazing. If you were backpacking it would be ideal. It boils water in less that two minutes. You can even put a pan on top of it. It allowed us to eat our backpacking meals as well as make coffee in the morning. 
enjoying the fresh air ….. 
And for my friends who thought I didn’t have it in me to rough it, here is proof! I actually went. And despite looking pensive in the photo, I had a total blast. The trip was so much fun. I scoped out the campsite I want for the next time and was already making plans for another one on our way home. The hubs and I would love to do a backpack trip where we hike four or five miles into the site. Have any of you done that? Happy to hear your tips. hope you all enjoyed your weekend!
How Fun! I haven't been camping since 2nd grade Girl Scouts…and that was in the leader's backyard. 🙂 My hubby makes fun of me saying that I couldn't do it…yes I can..he just needs to plan the trip. I do need a shower house, though. I think unplugging from all of the technology and just enjoying eachother as a family is how you really bond and learn to enjoy and appreciate our beautiful world and nature. I am inspired to plan a short camping trip!
I'm not much of a camper myself, but you may have changed my mind. Looks like a beautiful spot to camp. Your kids are going to have so much fun.
Camping is so so much fun! I haven't ever heard of that mattress pad, but it sounds great! My husband and I are in the process of planning a camping trip. Thanks for the tips.
Glad you had a good time. My husband and I do an annual roughing it backpacking weekend and it is always incredible. Do it once and you're hooked. We freeze steaks to pack and cook for our first night. They are thawed by the time we are ready for them, and they have served as ice to keep some other stuff cold. We also buy a 4-pack of those plastic wine bottles to take along to enjoy with our steak. We rent bear canisters from REI to keep our campsite safe from unwelcome guests 😉 Not sure if that is necessary in SoCal though.
This is our second year camping with my husbands highschool friends and their children. 6 families and eighteen children. We less than rough it however. We get electric sites at a state park,make guacamole on Friday with margaritas, and a potluck on Saturday night. Swimming in the river all day and kickball tourny's. It is great fun!! Your kiddos will love it!!
Maureen
You look so cute and relaxed!! We used to camp a lot when we lived in TN, but not so much now. You really need good weather and some place pretty to go 🙂 I'm a one-night-camper…go in, eat smores, wake up and go home! 🙂 We found a park in Arkansas on our road trip with yurts by the lake, so we may try that out next spring break. Or mommy may stay at home and let dad have 'special time' 😉
What a great list!I love the long bike ride ending in a picnic….Perfect summer day.
I always loved camping…the place you went looks beautiful! Glad you had fun 🙂 Those mats look great.
You DID survive! I'm so proud of you. Lol. And you said you were nervous. Puh-leeze. I think you're a natural (and much more camp-savvy than myself. 😉 Glad you had a great time…and blogged about it.
With 3 other siblings, we camped a lot growing up. Tents and Campers. It was just cheaper with a family of 6! Plus, if we wanted we could bring the dogs. While I was never really a fan, we do have a lot of funny stories to tell from our many trips!
I'm also new to the camping scene! Any suggestions for fun things to cook/eat while camping?
I love your summer list on the chalk board, super cute idea!!! We just bought a trailer, then sold the trailer to buy a bigger trailer…and will probably sell that trailer eventually too when we are so sick of camping that we can't even stand the sight of it on the side of the house. We are funny like that! Your morning pic of the trees and sky make me want to go right now! : )
I love that you loved camping!! It really is magically just "roughing" it in the woods for a few days…so different from the normal hustle and bustle…those pictures are beautiful!
How fun! I'm not a camper — we went a few years ago for Valentine's Day and it was WAY too cold! Looks like your trip was perfect and such great surroundings!
Ha Ha! My husband is a total camper and he married a total city girl! I have grown to enjoy camping though, especially with our kids. I bought my hubs and jetboil for his birthday this year and he raves about it! Looks like you guys an amazing time!
Love it! Looks and sounds like you had fun! I loved camping as a child with my family, and I need to get it on our summer bucket list too. Thanks for the motivation 🙂
It was just cheaper with a family of 6! Plus, if we wanted we could bring the dogs. While I was never really a fan, we do have a lot of funny stories to tell from our many trips!
research paper writers
I really enjoyed going through your articles. That's true you know what you are talking about! Your site look is beautiful and easy to navigate. I've bookmarked it in my favorites.
car for rent singapore
A very nice post it is. I have been seeking this type of knowledge for a long time and by posting this article you have made my work so much easier. This site always gives me outstanding knowledge
bus to genting