Bon Echo July 19-21

 We tried a new park for our first trip this year.  The "backcountry" camping is a very small area, with two lakes.  It even has a garbage within a paddle of our site, so despite the fire ban we could dispose of our diapers and other garbage for the night.  This was a very tame outing.  Jennifer loved it, so we decided to extend our second trip two 4 nights instead of 2.  We were worried about space in the canoe, so we didn't dare make the trip too long!

 Jennifer was thrilled with camping.  She got right into it right away.  Pine needles and dirt-good for the digestion!

 How many people does it take to put up a tent?  We had a ladies and a men tent this trip.  First year with two tents!  7 in a 4 man is a bit squishy, almost as bad as 5 in a 2, right Chris?

 More dirt.

 Exploring and eating.

Not too many bugs, but a few!

 Nathan was much too busy climbing rocks to pose for me.

There was a sandy beach on the lake (Joeperry?) where we went for a good part of a day.  The young 'uns had a lovely nap after getting tuckered out in the water. 

The old'uns were much too busy enjoying SAND for a change.  So much different than the rocky and murky/slippery entrances to the water that we usually get!

And this year they got to pack two tiny backpacks with toys.  I suggested small buckets, shovels, shoelaces and an old sheet, and Melanie also added a tiny notebook and pen, which she even used!

I also took some leisure time to take a couple picture of Phil and I.  (Daniel and Jennifer are in it too, snoozing, but that hardly counts.)

Jennifer learned a new trick when we were camping, and was very proud of it!

And, unlike our other babies, enjoyed the rugged landscape, taking it as the physical challenge it was!  She scaled much larger rocks than these!

Nathan thought Jennifer's standing up trick, and showing off, was very very cute.  He is still (unless Jennifer is destroying his things) wrapped around her little finger.