Tales from Clackamas Lake pt. 1

So I have figured out how to upload pictures (though the process is slow and painful which leads me to believe that I must be doing something wrong)and decided to share a few of the highlights of our camping trip. Enjoy... We drove around the campsite for a while. Some would say we are picky campers but I prefer to say that we are...particular. We like a private site, near a bathroom, and that has enough space for our giant mansion of a tent. Number 2 has different ideas of the perfect site. It must include a "nest". Here is him in the perfect nest.

That last one is of him napping in his nest, a rock for a pillow. So relaxing... Once everyone was happy with our campsite, tent was set up, and we were settled, we decided to take a walk down to Clackamas Lake to check it out. Here is the meadow where the lake is located

Number 1 riding his bike down the lake "boardwalk"

The "lake" though really it was more of a fancy pond.

The "lake" was really clear. We learned later from the camp host that Clackamas Lake is a spring fed lake and there is a short hike right off the campground that would lead you to the spring. We were excited to check it out the next morning.... Next morning.... WATCH OUT! It is a bear! Look, even other campers were excited to check out a bear wearing snowflake pajamas.

Number 1 had quickly discovered that riding his bike down dirt trails littered with giant rocks and tree stumps was a lot of fun. He liked to force me to watch. I threw up a little in my mouth every time. I was convinced he would break his neck everythime he went down a hill. Marching up the hill (he would do this first thing in the morning. Notice he is still wearing his footy pajamas).

He was going so fast our fancy smancy camera couldn't get an unblurry picture of him. After I was able to convince him to stop flirting with death, we got dressed and headed out on a hike to discover the spring. Here is number 1 ready for adventure

1 and 2 in front of trail sign

Number 2 refused to take his hands out of his pocket pouch despite multiple warnings that if he fell, his hands wouldn't be be able to break his fall. He fell a lot...

After a short break, number 2 felt this was the safest mode of transportation.

Water break!

Once we reached the end of miller trail, which is where we thought the spring would be, we discovered....(are you getting anxious with excitment???)....

another meadow...bummer. Apparently we had missed the turn off. The boys really enjoyed this meadow. They were pretending to be lions. They would crouch down and hide and then pounce at us. Can you spot the two blond headed lions?

RAAAAAAAAAAARR!

Number 2 pouncing

Once we had enough African safari fun in the meadow, we headed back down the trail to try and find the spring.

And we found it...not far from the start of trail....of course....

Exploring the spring was homeschooling at its best. It was fun to watch the kids discover the water bubbling from the earth. Husband explained to the kids why this water was safe to drink (we were right at the source of the spring and the moss filters it, rendering it safe to drink). We emptied a water bottle and let them experience cold fresh spring water. I am also happy to report that they each only got minimally wet. SCORE. The downside was when number 1 slipped on a rock and hit his face. No parent wants to hear their child scream like that when you are miles and miles away from the closest hospital. Number 1's face broke his fall...on a rock. We are incredibly lucky that he did not crack his head open or break his nose. He scrapped by with a bloody, bruised nose and some scratches. Here is a picture of him a day after his fall.

Ouch. Keep your eyes opened for Tales from Clackamas Lake pt. 2! Coming to a computer near you tomorrow (ok, ok, more likely in the next 3-5 business days).