Outdoor Expedition One - 10/2/04

So this was the first camping trip for R4 and the girls. As a compromise between R3 (who wanted backpacking deep into unmapped territory) and the girls (who wanted a hotel room in mid-town Manhattan), we went to a state campground with flush toilets, running hot water and showers. At least we didn't rent a cabin...

No major problems finding the park and the campground, other than the 10 mile detour around a washed out bridge. We arrived early enough to snag a decent campsite. The place must be popular, because every site was taken by mid-afternoon. Park rules were pretty liberal; fire only in the fire ring, six-person two-car limit, as many tents as you wanted as long as they were all on the camp pad. Big plus - Alcohol consumption was allowed as long as you kept it to your site. That rule alone could have been a deal breaker.

Tent One went up with minor difficulties. Neither R3 or I had seen this tent before, and the picture supplied with it had a huge section of the middle torn away. The tent poles had been numbered and labeled in alphabetical order by a dyslexic. But we got it up. Tent Two (my new dome) also went up without a hitch. Tent Three went up, but it was obvious that Three was the victim of a mildew attack. We left it up to air over the trip, and it became the designated storage tent.

Car Two was able to navigate to the park, and promptly became lost within ½ mile of the campsite. Small side trip for Car One to locate the lost, and bring them safely to camp. (Note to self: Nextel is not a reliable form of communication. FRS is not reliable. Must get one of the kids interested in amateur radio.)

After the arrival of Car Two, we had pre-packed lunches and drinks. First major decision: Put up a tarp? Rain was predicted for the day, and the discussion was what to put the tarp over. Fire pit so we can have fire? Or over the picnic table, where we were going to eat and play games? The fire pit won round one, with the warning that we would move it over the table for dinner. Maps were assembled, a backpack with water and rain gear prepared, and we set off on what the park called a "strenuous" trail to the waterfall. One and one half mile later of what a normal person would call easy hiking, we arrived at the waterfall, the central attraction for this park.

You know how your parents always tried to protect you? Looked out for your safety? Warned you about dangers to life and limb? Remember how you thought your parents were nutjobs when your friend's parents let them do these same forbidden things?

We arrived at the falls. Lots of people climbing the rocks on the falls, on the other side of the stream. And of course, no bridge, no simple way across other than to rock-hop on wet slippery rocks. So the kids are disappointed, but they're ok, they know Mom and Dad are looking out for their safety. Until a troop of eight kids, with footwear varying between none and cheap PowerPuff Girl pink plastic boots, rapidly cross the stream and start climbing. After a brief discussion, the parents surrendered, and we crossed the stream.

Of course, in mid-crossing the rain started. Not hard, not worth doing anything about, but enough to turn the surface of the rocks along the falls into greasy, slippery slopes. The kids tried, but couldn't get more than a foot off the ground before sliding back to earth. We stuck around a while longer, and returned to camp.