Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Vacation! Deep Creek Lake
Yea! We finally got to take a vacation. Better late than never as they say and for the most part that held true in this case. We loaded up the truck and headed to Deep Creek Lake State Park where we had rented a yurt for the week. The yurt was tucked away at the back of the campground, away from all the other campsites, nice and private. (Turns out this didn't really matter, because it rained and 70% of the camper reservations canceled).
The Yurt:
The yurt is set up with a full-size bed, a pair of bunk beds, and a nice large table and chairs. There is electricity, but no running water or cooking space. All the cooking takes place outside on the fire or the camp-stove. So it's like camping but with the comfort of a bed.
Christine enjoying our bed:
We managed to get there early enough in the day to take a nice little hike around the lake front and headed back to camp to whip up my famous chicken potpies in the dutch oven.
Old photo of my famous chicken potpie:
The next day we took hike around the perimeter of the park. It was kind of a mellow hike, one good climb and lots of fireroad. It's maybe 5 miles long. After naptime we loaded up the boy in the bike trailer and headed down to the beach. Originally we had planned on coming in July when it would be warm, but this didn't work out. We had to settle for September. When we arrived at the beach it was maybe 70° outside.
That did not deter the boy from playing in the water though...
Or the sand:
Or the water:
Later we went out for ice cream:
We grilled a steak for dinner and had hobo vegetables on the side with s'mores for desert.
That night around 5 am it started raining and didn't stop for 2 days. The first day we tried to go outside for a hike at the Cranesville Sub-artic Swamp. It cleared up so we made a go of it. Of course it started pouring as we reached the furthest point on the trail from the car. Needless to say we got kind of wet. Jamie was a good sport of it and didn't complain a bit.
Back at the yurt, things were different:
He complained quite a bit about being cooped up inside. The next day was a little better, even though it still rained off and on, it warmed up and being wet didn't seem so bad. We got up first thing and went and rented a kayak for Christine. She paddled from the rental place back to the park (2 or 3 miles) exploring all the little coves along the way.
Leaving from the rental place:
Bye Bye:
After she got back, I took off for a bike ride. Things were a little on the sloppy side but the trails were mostly gravel and rock so it wasn't as muddy as it could have been. I think I managed about 10 miles. When I got back, Christine went for another paddle. Then we went out for Pizza. Jamie now knows what pizza is so when we said we were going to get it he got really excited and then really mad because he doesn't understand that "going to get it" means that you have to wait a little while before you can have it. Toddlers only know the meaning of NOW!
Speaking of toddler stuff, there was a little short trail right behind the yurt and all that boy wanted to do was hike. He would go and find our hiking pole and announce "I'm hiking" then take off. It was cute but got to be a little tiring chasing after him every 5 minutes. He doesn't come back or answer when you call. It's kind of unnerving.
Hiking with Dad:
Admiring a daisy:
Well that's pretty much it. We packed up the next day and hung out at the beach until lunch, when we fired up the camp stove and reheated the leftover p-i-z-z-a (don't you dare say pizza with in earshot of the boy unless you have a slice to give him, I'm warning you!).
All-in-all, it was good to get away. Deep Creek Lake is a nice place, it's kind of touristy and has that touristy feel and all the touristy type stuff to do. However, if you stay in the park, you can get away from the people if you want or if you choose to get ice-cream, or if you forget all your groceries on the kitchen counter (which we did) you can run out and get it.
The Yurt:
The yurt is set up with a full-size bed, a pair of bunk beds, and a nice large table and chairs. There is electricity, but no running water or cooking space. All the cooking takes place outside on the fire or the camp-stove. So it's like camping but with the comfort of a bed.
Christine enjoying our bed:
We managed to get there early enough in the day to take a nice little hike around the lake front and headed back to camp to whip up my famous chicken potpies in the dutch oven.
Old photo of my famous chicken potpie:
The next day we took hike around the perimeter of the park. It was kind of a mellow hike, one good climb and lots of fireroad. It's maybe 5 miles long. After naptime we loaded up the boy in the bike trailer and headed down to the beach. Originally we had planned on coming in July when it would be warm, but this didn't work out. We had to settle for September. When we arrived at the beach it was maybe 70° outside.
That did not deter the boy from playing in the water though...
Or the sand:
Or the water:
Later we went out for ice cream:
We grilled a steak for dinner and had hobo vegetables on the side with s'mores for desert.
That night around 5 am it started raining and didn't stop for 2 days. The first day we tried to go outside for a hike at the Cranesville Sub-artic Swamp. It cleared up so we made a go of it. Of course it started pouring as we reached the furthest point on the trail from the car. Needless to say we got kind of wet. Jamie was a good sport of it and didn't complain a bit.
Back at the yurt, things were different:
He complained quite a bit about being cooped up inside. The next day was a little better, even though it still rained off and on, it warmed up and being wet didn't seem so bad. We got up first thing and went and rented a kayak for Christine. She paddled from the rental place back to the park (2 or 3 miles) exploring all the little coves along the way.
Leaving from the rental place:
Bye Bye:
After she got back, I took off for a bike ride. Things were a little on the sloppy side but the trails were mostly gravel and rock so it wasn't as muddy as it could have been. I think I managed about 10 miles. When I got back, Christine went for another paddle. Then we went out for Pizza. Jamie now knows what pizza is so when we said we were going to get it he got really excited and then really mad because he doesn't understand that "going to get it" means that you have to wait a little while before you can have it. Toddlers only know the meaning of NOW!
Speaking of toddler stuff, there was a little short trail right behind the yurt and all that boy wanted to do was hike. He would go and find our hiking pole and announce "I'm hiking" then take off. It was cute but got to be a little tiring chasing after him every 5 minutes. He doesn't come back or answer when you call. It's kind of unnerving.
Hiking with Dad:
Admiring a daisy:
Well that's pretty much it. We packed up the next day and hung out at the beach until lunch, when we fired up the camp stove and reheated the leftover p-i-z-z-a (don't you dare say pizza with in earshot of the boy unless you have a slice to give him, I'm warning you!).
All-in-all, it was good to get away. Deep Creek Lake is a nice place, it's kind of touristy and has that touristy feel and all the touristy type stuff to do. However, if you stay in the park, you can get away from the people if you want or if you choose to get ice-cream, or if you forget all your groceries on the kitchen counter (which we did) you can run out and get it.
Update time.
I haven't stopped taking pictures. Seriously. But it has been one busy summer... So here's a few semi-recent to recent photos of the boy and life in general for your viewing pleasure.
1. Yet another of Mom's great projects. I was cussing my Mom when she sent this thing to us. It's huge, and came with exactly 1 million and 1 pieces, but once it was up we really started to enjoy it. May I present the Gazebo:
2. The baby bacchanal rights of summer. (Disclaimer: no grapes were smashed during the filming of this project)
3. Shovel's a little big for that sandbox don't ya think boy?
4. I'm pretty
5. I'm not pretty
6. This wagon is too small
1. Yet another of Mom's great projects. I was cussing my Mom when she sent this thing to us. It's huge, and came with exactly 1 million and 1 pieces, but once it was up we really started to enjoy it. May I present the Gazebo:
2. The baby bacchanal rights of summer. (Disclaimer: no grapes were smashed during the filming of this project)
3. Shovel's a little big for that sandbox don't ya think boy?
4. I'm pretty
5. I'm not pretty
6. This wagon is too small
Friday, July 11, 2008
Sandy Point State Park
Well with the real beach being 2.5 hrs away, gas being so dang expensive, and with Jamie hating riding in cars, we decided to try the next best thing, Sandy Point State Park. It's in the shadow of the Bay Bridge and practically in our back yard so why not? Turns out it was a great place for a first trip to the beach. The waves at a whopping 12" high were pretty much perfect for a little guy! He loved it.
First he tested the waters:
Then, completely fearless, he marched right in! The waves were just big enough to knock him over but he didn't mind in the least. He'd just crawl out and then go right back in again.
Splash!
Momma got in on the act too! I think that wave may have taken her by surprise.
They even took a stroll down the beach together. (all together now, say Awwwwww!)
I took him out a little deeper and tried to get him to kick his legs a bit (and to wash the sand out of his pants). There's the bridge in the background.
First he tested the waters:
Then, completely fearless, he marched right in! The waves were just big enough to knock him over but he didn't mind in the least. He'd just crawl out and then go right back in again.
Splash!
Momma got in on the act too! I think that wave may have taken her by surprise.
They even took a stroll down the beach together. (all together now, say Awwwwww!)
I took him out a little deeper and tried to get him to kick his legs a bit (and to wash the sand out of his pants). There's the bridge in the background.
The boy keeps growing up.
This recent picture shows just how much Jamie is starting to change from being a baby to being a boy...
He sure do got purty eyes.
He sure do got purty eyes.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Camping and Trains
Well, I have 15 minutes of free time. 15 minutes of time I haven't had in months and might not have again for a couple of months, so what better way to spend it than to update the old bloggeroo. ;)
Last time I had the camera out was the last weekend of May. Christine, Jamie and myself loaded up the camping gear and headed out to New Germany State Park in western MD. The idea was to meet Natalie, Michael, and Ian, who were coming up to take an excursion on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. They stayed in a nearby hotel while we roughed it.
We got to camp, set everything up and took off on the bikes to ride some of the cross-country ski trails. They were pretty flat, wide, and mellow, if not a little muddy, perfect for trailering Jamie.
After our ride, we headed back to the campsite and started cooking. We had invited everyone to the campsite to eat and I cooked up a lemon ginger trout and curried vegetable feast over the fire followed by marshmallows, of course. The boys had a great time. Their big game is to have a screaming contest. I'm not sure who won. but it was very exciting for all. Jamie also learned how to climb in and out of the camp chairs and onto the top of the picnic table, a feat he has oft repeated on the kitchen table now at home. Hmmmmm. Can't take your eye off that one for a minute!
The next morning, the park rangers stopped by the campsite bright and early to report that Pittsburgh had issued severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings for our area. Just about then, the wind started picking up and the sky went black. We quickly finished up our breakfast and secured everything that wasn't nailed down before it commenced to storming (which didn't take long). We thought we might drown if we stayed in the tent so we jumped in the truck and drove to Cumberland to meet Natalie and Michael and check out the trains.
Obligatory "son standing in front of a caboose while standing on a baggage cart" picture:
Here comes the engine!
Another view:
We hung out in Cumberland, found some lunch, and tried to wait out the rain as best we could then headed back to camp. We were trying to decide whether or not to just pack it up and leave or stick it out. We decided to put Jamie down for his nap (and use the opportunity to take a little nap ourselves) and make the call after he woke up.
By the time we all woke up it was bright and sunny. It was really just a clever ruse to get us to stay. We went for a hike and then put dinner on. By the time dinner was done, it started raining again so we had to eat in the tent. Jamie proceeded to throw his dinner all over the place. Thank god no bears came by to visit. Then it stopped raining again. So we got out of the tent and played in mud puddles.
Boy did we play in mud puddles!
I've heard of cookies and milk, but cookies and mud???? Yuck.
Then to get rid of the mud we went and played in the trout pond, which I think was about 33°F. I thought I saw penguins. It hurt my toes to wade in it. Of course that didn't stop Jamie from diving in head first.
Splash:
Then we went back to camp and made s'mores. Then it rained again so we went to bed. The next morning, it was bright and sunny again so we went for another hike. This time we hopped in the truck and drove to Big Savage Mountain. Turns out this trail was somewhat unmaintained. It wasn't particularly rugged or anything, just overgrown. The kind of trail that when you walk you can't see where you are putting your feet. Did I mention that it had rained for 2 days straight and that the sun was now out in full force. Perfect weather for reptiles, of which we saw plenty. We lost count of all the garter snakes we saw and we knew that if we were seeing that many garter snakes, how many rattlesnakes and copperheads were we not seeing? If you've never seen a rattlesnake or copperhead in the wild, there is a good reason why, they are perfectly camouflaged. You just don't see them unless they are moving. We were getting pretty stressed out over it as you can well imagine. Some where along the trail we flushed a bear who was sitting about 10 feet of the side of the trail in a blackberry bramble. Fortunately it took off and we never really got a good look at it. Finally we made it to a fire road that led to a firetower and overlook. Just as Christine was stepping out onto the road I looked down and saw a copperhead slithering off the trail right in front of me. She had just stepped right over it and never saw it. Yowzers!@%*&#$*(&@(~~~!!! We hiked the fire road to the tower, and enjoyed the view and then followed it back out to the main road, avoiding the trail for the return trip.
We made it back to camp, cooked up lunch, then yes, once again it rained while we broke down camp and got ready to head home.
That was our trip in a nutshell. Hope y'all enjoyed hearin' the telling of it.
Last time I had the camera out was the last weekend of May. Christine, Jamie and myself loaded up the camping gear and headed out to New Germany State Park in western MD. The idea was to meet Natalie, Michael, and Ian, who were coming up to take an excursion on the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad. They stayed in a nearby hotel while we roughed it.
We got to camp, set everything up and took off on the bikes to ride some of the cross-country ski trails. They were pretty flat, wide, and mellow, if not a little muddy, perfect for trailering Jamie.
After our ride, we headed back to the campsite and started cooking. We had invited everyone to the campsite to eat and I cooked up a lemon ginger trout and curried vegetable feast over the fire followed by marshmallows, of course. The boys had a great time. Their big game is to have a screaming contest. I'm not sure who won. but it was very exciting for all. Jamie also learned how to climb in and out of the camp chairs and onto the top of the picnic table, a feat he has oft repeated on the kitchen table now at home. Hmmmmm. Can't take your eye off that one for a minute!
The next morning, the park rangers stopped by the campsite bright and early to report that Pittsburgh had issued severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings for our area. Just about then, the wind started picking up and the sky went black. We quickly finished up our breakfast and secured everything that wasn't nailed down before it commenced to storming (which didn't take long). We thought we might drown if we stayed in the tent so we jumped in the truck and drove to Cumberland to meet Natalie and Michael and check out the trains.
Obligatory "son standing in front of a caboose while standing on a baggage cart" picture:
Here comes the engine!
Another view:
We hung out in Cumberland, found some lunch, and tried to wait out the rain as best we could then headed back to camp. We were trying to decide whether or not to just pack it up and leave or stick it out. We decided to put Jamie down for his nap (and use the opportunity to take a little nap ourselves) and make the call after he woke up.
By the time we all woke up it was bright and sunny. It was really just a clever ruse to get us to stay. We went for a hike and then put dinner on. By the time dinner was done, it started raining again so we had to eat in the tent. Jamie proceeded to throw his dinner all over the place. Thank god no bears came by to visit. Then it stopped raining again. So we got out of the tent and played in mud puddles.
Boy did we play in mud puddles!
I've heard of cookies and milk, but cookies and mud???? Yuck.
Then to get rid of the mud we went and played in the trout pond, which I think was about 33°F. I thought I saw penguins. It hurt my toes to wade in it. Of course that didn't stop Jamie from diving in head first.
Splash:
Then we went back to camp and made s'mores. Then it rained again so we went to bed. The next morning, it was bright and sunny again so we went for another hike. This time we hopped in the truck and drove to Big Savage Mountain. Turns out this trail was somewhat unmaintained. It wasn't particularly rugged or anything, just overgrown. The kind of trail that when you walk you can't see where you are putting your feet. Did I mention that it had rained for 2 days straight and that the sun was now out in full force. Perfect weather for reptiles, of which we saw plenty. We lost count of all the garter snakes we saw and we knew that if we were seeing that many garter snakes, how many rattlesnakes and copperheads were we not seeing? If you've never seen a rattlesnake or copperhead in the wild, there is a good reason why, they are perfectly camouflaged. You just don't see them unless they are moving. We were getting pretty stressed out over it as you can well imagine. Some where along the trail we flushed a bear who was sitting about 10 feet of the side of the trail in a blackberry bramble. Fortunately it took off and we never really got a good look at it. Finally we made it to a fire road that led to a firetower and overlook. Just as Christine was stepping out onto the road I looked down and saw a copperhead slithering off the trail right in front of me. She had just stepped right over it and never saw it. Yowzers!@%*&#$*(&@(~~~!!! We hiked the fire road to the tower, and enjoyed the view and then followed it back out to the main road, avoiding the trail for the return trip.
We made it back to camp, cooked up lunch, then yes, once again it rained while we broke down camp and got ready to head home.
That was our trip in a nutshell. Hope y'all enjoyed hearin' the telling of it.
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