Catherine Creek Camping Trip in July

Our family went camping with the VanDykes, the Robertsons, and the Ritchies at Catherine Creek in Oregon. We arrived at the campsite on Thursday evening, set up our tents (we have two tents now, since our family has outgrown one -- plus Todd slept in a pup tent -- so I guess we slept in three tents!) After dark, we gathered around the campfire to roast marshmallows and eat s'mores. Yummm!!! The first night, I didn't sleep much...my foam pad got left at home, so I was on the very hard, very cold ground. The second night, the VanDykes offered me their "extra" foam pad (which was actually Shayne's I found out later -- he was so nice to give it up for my sake). I slept sooo much better on that comfy foam pad. I was warmer that night, too, since the pad served as insulation between me and the cold ground.

We had a great time on our camping trip: hiking, fishing, tubing in the creek, and just enjoying being together in the beautiful outdoors. The kids made bows and arrows, pinecone people, and glow-in-the-dark personalized sticks.

Michelle's Aunt and Uncle are service missionaries at the campsite. The kids had fun riding on this little tractor and trailer. We went on a couple of hikes, including one to some caves that possibly housed some big, scary wild animals (a bear? or maybe a cougar?) Yikes! Two of the men went in first, armed with a big gun and walkie-talkies to scope things out. That was the most exciting part.

Tiffani and Kirby had fun searching for crayfish in the creek. They brought three back to the campsite to have as "pets."

David and Trent went on the tube together. Ooh, it was cold!!!

The kids were so sad when it was time to pack up and leave our fun camp site. Tiffani cried and said she wasn't ready to go. "Can we come back here every year?" she asked. What a memorable weekend in the great outdoors with our great friends! We hope to do it again next summer.