Fourth of July backpacking

Bill spent several hours on the phone, repeat dialing, to get us a spot at Point Reyes' Cloud Camp, a small walk/bike in camp ground on the coast. Well worth the wait! It's right near the shore and a 1.9 (up and down the hill) or 2.8-ish (flat) walk in.

The drive in ended up being more of an adventure than we really planned for. I was suppose to finish packing up the car, pick up the kids, then meet mom & Bill at Willow for lunch and a robot tour. Well, it took longer to pack then expected, and I managed to drop the car keys in a bag, which took me half an hour to find.

We ran into some traffic on the way down to Willow, which led to screaming tired (and hungry kids), who, of course, fell asleep just as we got to Willow. Sigh.

We did manage to get everyone fed and everything moved into mom's car (a bit of a tight squeeze, you can imagine). Bill got everything *except* the stuff from day care - diapers, Isabella's swim suit and hat. The diapers being the biggest problem, of course - but not according to Isabella. The swim suit ranking far higher than any measly diapers!

We crammed mom between the two car seats in the back and set off. We made it all the way to San Francisco, encountering lots of traffic (since we were later than expected). All would have been well, except part way down Van Ness we get "mommy, I have to go potty *really badly*". This resulted in a frantic find a parking space, Bill went one way to get diapers, I ran down the hill with Ian and Isabella to where Bill promised there was a Jack in the Box. Got Isabella to the potty just in time (thank you to the kind Round Table folks who let us use their bathroom!) and discovered that, of course, Ian had blown out big time. So had to clean him up w/out all the usual handy diaper changing things.

We ran into more traffic and had to stop once more so Isabella could go again (she was enjoying grandma's water bottle, with the obvious consequences). And we got the usual complaints about wanting to throw up on the twisty-turny road (Isabella now tells us to "go fast on the straight bits and slow down on the twisty-turny parts"). We did eventually make it there and get our camping permit.

We really lucked out on the way in - there was a guy who parked in front of us and was busy filling up a bicycle trailer with stuff. I jokingly asked if he could take the kids in :) and he said he'd be happy to take in whatever would fit! So we piled grandma's back pack and a thermarest on his trailer, which was great. Bill hiked in very fast while Isabella, Ian, grandma & I went a bit slower. With a stop near the top of the hill for some snacks all around. We had an argument over wearing Teavas with Isabella (she's much better about it now). But she walked the *whole way* in! A fair amount of "I'm tired" towards the end, but pretty good for a little person. Took us 2 hours, but Bill had the tent set up when we arrived.

The campsites themselves were smallish, with just space enough for the two tents and a picnic table (the one at the top of the loop and the ones down on the flats are bigger). Lots of poison oak, dust, and dirt - and skunks, one of whom was quite happy to visit a campsite where babies drop food all over the place.

Ian, as you can see, was quite happy to play in the dirt with the obvious consequences. Isabella and grandma and I spent a fair amount of time on Saturday down at the beach building sand castles and splashing through the edge of the water. Isabella was more keen on the *thought* of water than the actuality - we splashed through the edge of it a few times, but that was about it. Ian spent a lot of time sleeping (and eating sand).

There were lots of rocks to pick up and throw in a small pond. We made a fairly elaborate sand castle construction (which Ian promptly walked through). However, we weren't watching the water closely enough, and a wave came up, washed over all the sand castle toys, and over Ian's bum. He didn't seem to mind, but Isabella freaked out(!) and it made a bit of a mess of his diaper. There was also a big pit someone had dug out, and Isabella and Ian had fun rolling around in it.

We had a crow visit the backpack - they're pretty fearless.

Sunday the weather wasn't so great, but we played on the beach anyway. That evening we made friends with the folks across from us, who were making S'mores and had a 3 year old. They played together for awhile - only time Isabella ran up and down the path, instead of whining to be carried! I think she spent more time being carried around in the carrier than Ian did...

We had our first pit toilet experience. Took a bit of coaxing to get her to go, and she insisted on having the door open. She'd go, then run to the far corner (or out the door) to wait. She now very much appreciates "real" toilets!

We took the long, flat way out, bribing Isabella with promises of a stop at the beach for lunch. Bill hiked everything out, then came back to help carry Ian out. Of course, 10 minutes after we left, Isabella needed to go potty, and not just a pee. So we had a stop on the side of the road - bit tricky with Ian in the carrier and grandma with a backpack (Bill had already headed on). We had some whining, but we just eventually kept walking slowly on and Isabella followed along behind. Did a bit of "racing" which kept her moving. Stopped at the beach for lunch - a bit cold, and of course, sand got in everything. Made a little fortress out of the backpacks to cut out some of the wind.

Bill made his way back and met us as we were finishing our picnic lunch. Mom went on ahead and Bill took Ian. I ended up carrying Isabella piggy back about half the way out - but I'm guessing she still made it a good 2 miles on her own. She and dad did some races towards the end, as well, and she got to hang out and climb on the gate at the end.

The drive back was uneventful, except for the "I have to go potty!" just before the Golden Gate bridge. We made it, but just barely. At Willow we said goodbye to grandma (not a happy moment!) As soon as we got home, we dropped both kids in the bathtub.

Some notes for next time: You can bicycle in, which would probably be easier than backpacking. There are garbage cans, which made disposable diapers a better option. The site at the top of the hill/end of the loop is nice and big, but the furthest from the bathroom/beach. I understand that September/October are actually better, in terms of sunshine, than July.