Cabin Camping 2012

It's that time of year again. We had a wonderful trip to visit the public use cabin on Kelly Lake. We were there in 2010, and we opted to return to the same cabin because it was only about 1/4 mile distance to pack in the gear. It's a good amount--to feel like we're going into the wilderness and also to feel like we're close enough to the car to use it as an extension of camp if necessary.

We went with our friends the Larsens, making it the 5th time we've gone cabin camping together since the winter of 2008. We practically have it down to a science, we don't coordinate much more than the meals anymore. It's a lot of fun to enjoy the Alaskan beauties with good friends.

The boys would tromp through the spongy moss forest bottom calling out "bushy berry bushy berry." We didn't get them to stay within sight very well, but they were always within ear shot. I loved watching their little boy imaginations take off in the middle of the forest.

 Getting ready for a morning boat ride with the men folk.

 See that spot of heaven on earth?

One visitor recently exclaimed,
"It's a post card everywhere you turn!" 

That's the pristine Alaskan wilderness for you.

 And they're off.

 So thankful for that glassy lake.

 One of my very favorite things about being a mom is that I am the person he runs to when adventure and excitement is pumping through his little body. He jumped out of the boat, ran up the path and found me on the porch of the cabin.

 Just to show me the evidence of a really really good time on the lake.

 For most of the weekend, we were bundled up while the temperature bounced around between the 40's and early 50's. It drizzled here and there and the wind came and went, but thankfully the storms of earlier in the week were well past by the time we were in the great outdoors.

 Guess who falls into the role of leader of the pack!?!

Sam had plenty of helpers on that saw.

 Not knowing what the weather would be like, and not really wanting to imagine what it would be like to have 3 small boys holed up in a cabin in bad weather, the moms each brought plenty of activities to keep little hands busy. Tempura paints quickly turned into an outdoor activity as these little boys decorated the tree stumps.

  While the weather was blustery outside, Sam entertained the boys by playing games on the "bunkin' bed." (The streamers and sign were to celebrate Courtney's birthday. We've linked our cabin camping trips each year to a birthday--Jess's, Sam's or Courtney's. I mentioned that we need to go in April sometime, but I got a collective moan at the thought. No one wants to camp in icy mud.)

Falling asleep on the "bunkin' bed" was definitely a highlight for David. When we went to bed, we moved him to a fort made out of the benches and table all scooted together. He claimed that he was not happy with the arrangement. He wanted to sleep on the bunkin bed all night--but alas, luckily he didn't know about the switch until the morning. In reality, I don't think the "fort bed" he woke up in was much of a disappointment either.

Eventually we took a boat ride with six of us--three adults, three boys.

 These two boys went from being the boat's rudder to acting like the mast, then moved on to the mascot at the stern. Oh, they were having a good time!

 While we were on the boat, Sam tended the fires so we'd have warmth to greet us after the lake.

When the Nutella finally softened a bit, we polished off the camping trip with a nutella sandwich, a big smile . . .

 and two minutes before we pulled into our driveway, the excitement finally gave way to a nap.

 And as we packed up, the clouds gave way to sunshine. I waited for the men folk to return from one last trip to the cabin with the boat, and I sunned myself on a rock and watched fish swim in the lake at my feet. No, it's not warm enough to think about splashing my toes in the water.

But it was warm enough to sit there and take it all in.
I just can't get enough of this grandeur beauty Alaska offers me!