McCall Campout

Memorial Weekend was spent doing our favorite thing: Camping! We got to go to McCall's Ponderosa Campground right along the Payette Lake (Along with several other families). This year was extra special because Uncle Tom came from Denver to spend the weekend with us! He is used to tent camping so enjoyed the use of our trailer too.We bought some "Super Soakers" and it didn't take long for the boys to try them out.
Sasha traveled in the trailer this time and seem to handle it quite well. She didn't bark much except when there was a thunder storm and she'd whine a bit when we would leave the camp site but over all she was a good doggy.
And the games begin...Cribbage was continually being played over the next few days. I think the winning went back and forth.

First thing we wanted to do once camp was set up (and had lunch, of course) was to take a walk and check out the lake. We went the long way so Sasha could come down by the water at the boat ramps. She ended up pulling Lexi on her skate board!Sami, Madi Shepherd and Lexi brave the ice water for a little foot dip.
Sasha thought that looked pretty refreshing too!



This one looked like some kind of wild lily.We caught a few trout when we stopped at Fischer Pond in Cascade on the way up. All the kids and I caught several so we decided to make a meal of it.
We like to watch Andrew Zimmerman on "Bizarre Foods" on the Food Network. He said fish eyeballs are quite good so...
Sami gives it a try and said it was really good. Buttery and has a bit of a chew. Adrian tried it and liked it too (notice I didn't :)
Lexi was a bit worried but in the end gave it a thumbs-up!

McCall is such a beautiful place to camp. We had fun taking some scenic pictures.

There was a small sandy beach area by the waters edge that was fun to explore.


Sami, Macky, Carli and Emmy strike pose.
Ethan spend a lot time digging with his stick looking for fossils. Sorry to say, none were found.

It was such a beautiful sunset over the lake!



We tried a new campfire recipe- baked apples! You core them and fill them with brown sugar, cinnamon and a bit of butter then cook them in the coals.


In the trailer basking in the goodness of campfire food!It was great to see the kids spend all day using their imaginations and making up games- outside! TV and computer not required!
Adrian always collects a few bags of smooth stones from the Sand Dunes for skipping. Here he teaches Sami how to skip.
The boys "lined up" for a turn to skip a stone. So cute.


It was such a beautiful day that the kids went out on their rafts and paddled around.
Madi Shepherd and Lexi.
The rest of us stayed at shore and relaxed in shade while the little ones splashed around.

After such a warm day, we went into the town of McCall and enjoyed some refreshing ice cream at the Ice Cream Alley. *Notice Tom slipping in his signature hand pose!



We walked around and Tom picked up a few souvenirs for the fam. This is at the lake's edge in downtown McCall.
Ethan took another great shot.
We tried a different recipe for the dutch oven peach cobbler and I think this is our new favorite! We added 2 sticks butter to take place of the can of soda...can't go wrong with butter.

Ethan got a hold of the camera and the next 3 picts are all his!


The kids were delighted to get these beautiful glossy walking sticks from the Bakow's grandpa! They had fun with them the whole time! Here they say "Thank You!"
It was such a warm day, the group waited until after dinner to go swimming at the hot springs. Sami and Lexi went and it looks like they had a great time despite the thunder and rainstorm that night! (Thanks for the pic Cherie)
The next morning we had fun playing badminton with the Rice's net.
Later the boys said Austin played quite well for his age...but I think it went a little to his head because he apparently told the other kids that they need to practice more! Tsk!

The rain storm the night before got our wood supply all wet. We put the boys to work to gather more wood.

Rick Rice had a brilliant idea to use our air pump to get the fire started easier. Wow! It worked like magic!

We went for a Sunday hike to Goose Creek Falls. The Rice's were kind enough to let our dog, Sasha, ride in the back of their truck. This was her first time and she got pretty anxious. When we were going to take her home, it was evident she was NOT about to get back in that truck! As soon as we opened our car door, she jumped right in.

We had never been. It was a 2 1/2 mile hike (round trip) It was a bit more than we realized. Hiking in was almost ALL down hill so you can imagine how tired we got on the way out- but it was worth it!
The walking sticks the kids got from the Bakow's grandpa were real handy on the hike! Sasha also helped pull Lexi up the hill on the way out when she ran out of steam.

It was a neat contrast with the mossy green everywhere with the few patches of snow left from winter.The falls were beautiful and loud.

I was going to take the group shot but then Austin just about fell through the railing when he slipped on the wet bridge. We all gasped and were so grateful he didn't fall on the rocks below! See how I'm clutching my boys tight with a smile of relief?
When we got back, Adrian talked me into taking a shower. He was right, I felt much better! Ethan snuck in the background...funny kid!Later Sunday night, we enjoyed a pot luck dinner with the other dozen families camping there too! Lots of GREAT food!
I told Sami that she always looks ticked off in the pictures I take of her. She just grumbled...
We celebrated all the birthdays that were recent with singing and cake!
Later, even though we were stuffed, we had to get some s'mores in!

Tom brought out the much anticipated "Tina" the monkey the last night of our stay. Our kids have had several Tina visits, and she's always a hit!We were so proud of Allysa, who is nervous around any animal, was brave enough to reach out and pet Tina.
Ad and Tom enjoyed a few games of Horseshoe by the Bakow's site.

Austin was the lucky kid who got the first scone! It was so funny- he hollered out, "The STONES are ready!"

Uncle Tom. Period.
After traveling back home, we felt a nice cold shaved ice was in order!
Mmmm! I love the strawberries and cream!
Thanks for coming Tom and making our Ponderosa Campout even that much more fun!