Backpacking in OR!

 Last summer's adventures continued! While we were in Oregon we had the opportunity to meet up with my friends Beth and Guy and Beth's daughter Aparna. We headed into the mountains to go backpacking...my fav thing EVER! The first night we camped at this beautiful lake that was near the trailhead. The kids were in heaven and got along incredibly well and loved camping. They made this fire and called all the adults over for stories and camp fire time. Love the 3 little headlamps and the moon! (they just made the fire, the adults lit it...)

The next morning we had breakfast and then got all our gear together to hit the trail.

 LOOK at this picture... Tear! I was so, so proud!

 We hiked for about an hour and then stopped for lunch at a beautiful stream. We all got refreshed and gave our feet a good soak in the cold water.

 Then it was back to the trail. Sasha and Aparna were amazing and talked and sang and played games as they hiked while Teddy went ahead and "fast packed" with Guy.

 The 2 buddies were inseparable even during rest time!

When we got up to the Chambers Lakes area there was SNOW! (it was August..) The kids were stoked and had several snowfields to run around on while we made camp.

We had dinner and then the kids had story time with Beth. Love that she brought a kids book on the backpacking trip. Totally makes up for the 1/2 pita with hummus lunch you fed me back in the summer of 2000 baby!

Best picture EVER!!! They look bright-eyed and excited, but they went right to sleep.

The next morning Teddy was up super early. I climbed out of the tent about ready to whine at him and was rewarded with this beautiful sunrise:

We watched the sun come up together. Ted was super-proud that he got to watch the sun come up!

Then we made our hot drinks and waited for them to cool enough so we could drink them. We didn't have to wait long... it was COLD outside!

Meanwhile, back in the tent....

That morning Guy took some trekking poles and the 3 kids over to a steep snowfield for "snow team training". He taught them how to traverse a steep slope, how to kick steps and how to stop yourself from sliding. They loved it. Here are 4 experts returning to camp.

The girls made fairy food from little things they found all over. Nice photo-bomb Ted...

After lunch we headed up and over the pass between the 2 mountains. First we had to climb a steep scree slope:

Then figure out a way down the other side. There was a dried lake bed and a lot more snow!

The kids were amazing. Such a fun, gung-ho little trio. There WAS to be honest a bit of squabbling over who would be the leader but for the most part they were awesome.

When we went back over the pass to our side we had to come down some steep snow fields. That snow team training really came in handy!

Our camp:

Sadly, we had to leave the next morning. We said good-by to our little camp and started the 6 mile hike back to the trailhead.

This picture is every reason that I love Central Oregon!

Me and my Ted. He hiked that whole way out and carried his own pack. Not bad for a 4 year old!

Of course rest breaks and snacks are some of the best things about hiking. We made sure we brought some good ones!

On the way out we stopped by the same log and stream to rest. I snagged this picture of Ted just being tranquil and taking it all in. What an awesome experience. You can be sure it's on our to-do list for this next summer!