Camping

Well, what an adventure!

There's only one word for it:
Glorious!!!

Getting There

Making Camp

Outdoor Activities

This page chronicles some of our camping adventures, including the (not so simple) process of getting there and making camp. But once we're settled in, it's awesome.

Getting There

The day has arrived. We're going camping! But there's still a lot to do before we hit the road. Finish packing food, clothing, and the kids. Don't forget to fill the water containers.

Packed and ready to roll...

It's a little more than 2 hours drive north into the White Mountains, exit Franconia and Sugar Hill, and through back roads-- paved, graded, and whatever.

Finally, we arrive. The Land. Yee haa!

Enter the dirt road, eroded from the recent rains. Up the steep embankment, continue into the heart of the property.

...truck and trailer arrive intact at the land.

Ahh, the mountains look breathtaking. Look how much things have grown since we were here just a short while ago. After a slow ½ mile ride in low gear, we park where the road ends, washed out by the brook.

Making Camp

We only have a few hours to setup camp before dusk. First, unload the ATV. Then transport the gear another ½ mile across the brook, up the steep slope around the landing, to the campsite by the beaver pond.

Rayna at camp

Lisa and the kids carry what they can, hiking it on foot. For me, it takes 3 trips with the ATV to move the cargo.

By now, we pretty much have figured out the procedures for setting up camp. It goes like this (more or less):

Put up the cabin tent; setup sleeping pads and bags; stow personal baggage in the tent.
Arrange supply bins so we can find stuff we need during setup (like bug spray). By six o'clock we're hungry, so prepare the cooking area and setup the Coleman stove.
Build a campfire. Collect firewood.
Setup the port-a-potty. A semi-private clearing by the pond provides a natural setting.
Put up the utility tent, straighten up the campsite, stow equipment gear in the tent.

And depending on the weather, we may have to erect a tarp or two to protect us from the rain or hot sun.

When it starts to get dark, unpack the flashlights, prepare the Coleman lantern, and clean up camp again 'cause you can't count on finding anything after dark. And find the sweatshirts and long pants, it may get chilly.

Outdoor Activities

Here's just some of the activities that keep us busy.

Hiking and exploring

There's a lot of terrain to cover; we haven't hiked it all yet. The logging trails go only so far, then they're so overgrown you have to make your own trail or turn back. The brush gets so thick and prickly, you need long pants or you'll end up with crosshatches etched into your skin.

Hiking naked ??

In total privacy, you can even hike naked if you want J

Hiking can be more tiring than you think, especially in the heat. But the views are awesome. The exercise is awesome. The berries are awesome. It's Glorious!

With the GPS receiver, we're able to collect data for mapping the area.

ATV Rides

The kids love it. I love it. Yeehaa! Ride 'em cowboy. Take the ATV at high speed down the dirt road and feel the wind on your face. Hit a puddle and feel the mud on your face. It's Glorious! Turn a figure 8 and feel the force be with you (or against you, whatever way you look at it).

Now, turn into the brush, make your own trail, go slow because there's lots of tree stumps in there. Bang! oops, back up and go around.

For more on the ATV, click here

Bathing in the brook

Perhaps you don't want to hike naked, but surely you'll try bathing au natural in the natural beauty of a clean bubbling brook. Ahhhhhh. Truly one of life's greatest pleasures. That's Glorious!

And the kids have a blast in the water.

Cooking and keeping camp

Pancakes for breakfast

Even the chores are fun. You know, collecting and chopping firewood. Cooking meals over the campfire. Erecting tarps for shelter. Building a teepee for the lantern. We don't even miss the microwave oven (oh, OK, maybe).

Stargazing

The stars first come out around 9pm. By 10, it is completely dark. The Milky Way is so visible, it's truly awesome. Carl Sagan was right, there are billions and billions of stars, and I've seen them. We learned the major constellations, watched Jupiter rising, spied satellites orbiting.

We also witnessed numerous shooting stars. One was just soooo amazing, it lasted for 2 or 3 seconds shooting from near zenith across the sky to the north. It was so bright I thought it was a missile or something; surely it would to crash into a nearby hill. It was Glorious.

Staring into the fire

Coffee brewing on the campfire

Yes, sitting and watching the fire. Alright, maybe you're not impressed, but I find it one of the most meditative and relaxing activities. It sure beats zoning out in front of the TV!

During the night, there's all kinds of sounds. Frogs can be really loud! not to mention crickets and other bugs. And there's the rumbling of the brook. It's noisy and glorious!

Oh, and by the way, in case you're wondering: When a tree falls in the woods, it really does make a sound. I know, I was there.

Weathering the weather

We survived some serious thunderstorms. Clouds roll in from the southwest faster than you can say "Oh Shit". Count the seconds between lightening and the clap of thunder. But when the thunder is so loud that you forget what comes after "one" you know the storm's right on top of you. We just huddle in the tent and hope it will soon pass.

When the thunder and rain finally does stop, and we emerge, the air is so fresh, electrolytes energize the soul. Damn it's Glorious!

Sorry, no hunting.

Not that we're morally or environmentally against it (I don't think) but the moose and deer are our neighbors, and I just don't think I want anyone shooting my neighbors. I believe it's more glorious to be alive than dead, even if you're a moose. J

Well, what an adventure!