Camping on Orcas Island!

Well, we survived Brian being gone on another work trip, yay us! Brian got home on Wednesday and didn't have a lot of recovery time before we left for camping the next day. Getting ready for camping is so much work - you just have to keep telling yourself that yes, it will all be worth it! We did have a great weekend camping on Orcas Island. The ferry ride over was fun, and we had fantastic weather all weekend. Friday morning our whole group (Daveys and Vanees were camping with us) headed down to the beach close to our campsite. We rented a few canoes which was a lot of fun, unfortunately Adam would not give them a try (not terribly surprising). Nathan loved it though! Lynsey and I took off on our whale watching trip in the afternoon and had such a great time! I wasn't sure if Lynsey would get bored but that was not an issue at all. We were on this boat that went really fast and she thought it was a blast (it also got us wet a few times!). Seeing the orcas was really cool - definitely an experience! Didn't get too many good pictures, although I did get a decent video, perhaps I will post it later if I can figure out how to shrink it down. When we got back, everyone was going to this bridge where you could jump off into the water - Lynsey just couldn't muster up the courage to do it, although we could see she really wanted to.

The next day (Saturday) our family split off from the rest of the group because our boys really wanted to go back to the beach in the morning. We got another canoe for about an hour and just let the boys play on the playground. After that we went on a drive up to Mount Constitution - spectacular views! So beautiful, I could have hung out there just looking out all day! Of course that wasn't what we did, but you get the picture:). When we got back to camp we heard that the rest of the group was back at the bridge so Brian took Lynsey and Adam back out there - this time Lynsey *sort of* jumped off the bridge! She was lowered in a few times, and one time I think she said she sort of slipped and fell in . . . it still counts, though! I was proud of her for being determined and trying something so scary - you can bet I didn't do it myself! Great end to the day, especially for her:).

Sunday we packed up and took the ferry back home. Had a great weekend, but of course it was nice to get back to clean showers and a nice comfy bed! It was our first time camping for 3 nights and I think it went pretty well. Would probably try it again next summer, especially with the Daveys and Vanees since they are so well prepared for everything. I am learning a lot camping with them! We ate so well all weekend, if I was camping alone we would be having hot dogs more than once I'm sure!

This week, I am hoping to get a few more house organizing things knocked off my list - buy shelves for the garage and get Brian to trim the shelves for our Lego table so I can put out all the games and get rid of the boxes in the family room. If I can achieve those two things, I will be doing well! Oh I also have to get Lynsey registered for school tomorrow! It's all coming together, slowly but surely!