THE VERY LAST OF SUMMER INTO FALL

This past weekend we were able to get away for one last little bit before winter sets in.

It was beautiful and sunny and oh so peaceful.

I never get tired of coming to this secluded camping spot.

The beautiful little pond for fishing.

Yes there are still a few trout swimming around.  I am sure they are feeling the seasons changing too.

Have you ever seen moss so thick on the side of a tree that ferns are able to grow there?

It pretty much confirms that we get our share of rain here in the Pacific Northwest.

I love the bursts of color the trees and foliage display.

We even were able to find a frog.  We spent a week here last August where two of our grandsons,  Spencer and Landon had so much fun catching frogs.  I posted about them here. 

(It looks like my hubby could use some hand lotion.)

Here the poor little thing is trying to make it's escape.

There were also dragonflies galore.  They seemed a little dazed but would stop and get warmed up by the sun and then take off again.

A unique looking  bee landed on the outside of the truck window.  It was a pale yellow color with huge bulging eyes.

 One of the many waterfalls that we came across while driving on old logging roads in the mountains.

 Nature's artwork

More of the changing foliage

 This is a shot of Mt. St. Helen's from the northeast side. 

You can see the crater on the top right hand side.

Not too far from the place where I took the photo of Mt. St. Helen's I got this shot of Mt. Rainier.

We really do live in a very beautiful place,  I feel so blessed.

TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT

The grandkids are coming over for their annual "Grandpa's Campout". 

The tent is up

The taco's are being prepared

The treasure hunt is in place

T-shirts are finished

Prizes are ready

Games are ready to be played

We will even be doing a craft (imagine that!)

I will be back later with pictures.

PEACE, TRANQUILITY AND RELAXATION

We just got back from twelve days of heaven.  We camped with kids and grandchildren in one of the most peaceful places around.  There were campfires and s'mores, fish caught, frogs captured, swimming in an icy cold river, hikes and bike rides and playing card games and reading books. There was no cell phone service, very limited internet service but we did have our satellite dish so we could watch some television, although we didn't watch much of it.

It was kind of sad to have to come back to reality.

Here are a couple of photo collages of some of the fun we had.

SUMMERTIME FUN

We are spending some more time at our secret camping spot.  Some of our kids and grandchildren joined us this time.

This is Tower Rock.

There were a few brave souls that decided to hike to the top of Tower Rock.

Little Miss Dawson was one of them to take the hike, although she got to be in the backpack.

 Duncan also went along on the trip to the top of the rock.

 This is the view from the top.

 Hubby Jim, son Dustin, grandsons Matthew and Spencer and son-in-law Jason were mighty brave to pose in this photo.  It's a little too close to the edge.  Oh the things they do when mom and grandma aren't around.

My daughter Tasha and I stayed in camp and were able to see the mighty hikers through a spotting scope from camp.

 Here is the owner of the campground patiently teaching the boys how to cast their poles.

 Spencer caught the biggest fish of the day but was too chicken to hold it for a picture.

 Once the fish was cleaned and strung up on a stick he was brave enough to hold it.

More photo's to come, we are headed back for five more days.

FOUR DAY GETAWAY TO PEACE AND TRANQUILLITY

Relax

Rejuvinate

Peaceful

Nature

Good Friends

Quiet

No Hustle and Bustle

Spending time far away from everyday life can do so much for the soul.

We have a favorite little camping spot that offers you a step back in time to sit back an enjoy the silence and tranquillity of the peaceful outdoors.  It is nestled in the Cascade Mountains in Washington and is only a two hour drive from our house.  You just can't find a place more peaceful to unwind.

I hesitate to publish the name because I kind of feel like I don't want lots of people knowing about it.

Is that selfish of me?

I will tell you the name of this rock, it is called Tower Rock and you can see it from the campground.

They have the cutest little pond that they stock with trout.  They provide fishing poles and bait so anyone can fish for just a  mere $4.95 per pound for the fish you catch.

Below is our friend Jim enjoying himself fishing.

See how rustic and adorable this place is?

It kind of reminds me of what camping was like about fifty years ago, except now we have the luxury of recreational vehicles to camp in instead of tents.

 

Here is a view of our camp site.

This is where our friends Jim and Debbie camped.

One of the ways we like to pass the time is playing cribbage.

Here is Debbie showing off her catch of the day.

It was such a nice little getaway.  None of us wanted to come home.  I am sure I could have stayed another week and not been ready to come home either.