We planned a last second camping trip to Big Basin last weekend. Matt had the Friday off so he spent the morning packing up the van while I went shopping. We tried to get to the park by noon to get a spot but we were a little later than we hoped and ended up tenth on a waiting list. We were bummed but hopeful and decided that even though they said our chances of getting a campsite were slim we would wait it out and try. We ate our lunch, watched a show in the van, climbed on stumps, logs and trees and went on some walks/hikes around camp. We went back to the lodge a few hours later and the kids and I waited while Matt checked to see if anything opened up. He came running back with a campsite form in hand so excited that our waiting had paid off. Lucky for us, others on the waiting list must have been intimidated by the wait and decided to leave.
We were so grateful and excited that we got to camp. It is our first time in a long time and we've been talking about it forever. It was all worth the stressful and crazy morning of shopping, packing and rushing out the door. The drive was under two hours and it is one of the more beautiful places I have ever camped. Our site was surrounded by huge Redwoods towering 250-400 feet over us with so many that were hollowed out and made for a fun outdoor playground for our kids. Camping as a family equals so much work but it was all well worth it. The kids had a blast and surprisingly slept great through the night.
We had so much fun playing, roasting, cooking, hiking, telling stories, goofing around and sleeping. We forgot our scriptures so we took turns telling our favorite scripture stories. I love the expressions I caught on the kids faces while listening to Matt tell stories. It was one of my favorite moments.
We are anxious to plan our next trip and go out again. Next time, I will be waking my kids up in the middle of the night to show them the thousands of stars. I regret not doing it when I got up to go to the bathroom. I haven't seen the sky like that for years and years. It was amazing. A small opening in the middle of the tree tops filled with more white from the stars than black from the sky. I wish I wasn't such a pansy and scared to be out in the middle of the night by myself because I could have stared at the sky for hours.
