After work on July 15th our sweet little family packed up our truck and headed out on our W. Vanspronsen Family 2022 Camping Adventure.
In our final stretch of packing the vehicle William closed the door on his finger and was in so much pain that we kept toying with the idea of going to the ER. Thankfully after some advil, ice, arnica, and time he seemed a lot better. This set our departure back a bit, but once we got ourselves back together and finished packing we pulled out of our driveway just before 7pm.
The kids had pipecleaners to play with for this leg of driving and Delilah had asked me to make a sun, moon, star, and earth. I made the earth last and the project ran away on me. Several pipecleaners later I had something that resembled earth that I was very impressed with. Unfortunately our three year old did not share in the impressive handy-work of her mother. *sigh* She even asked me soon after to take them all apart so she could make something else. I said no way I was going to take the earth apart after working on it for 20minutes. 😛
At 9:45 we were driving past the Litton fires. In the twilight it was difficult to take a good picture of the fire with my phone but I still wanted to remember how eerie it was driving past mountainsides aflame in the dark.
The kids did really well on the drive there. James slept just about the entire drive, William fell asleep around 8:30, and Delilah around 9:30. We pulled into the ranch just before 11 that evening and it took a while for the kids to settle again for the night.
Saturday morning was a bit cool, but it warmed up nicely soon after breakfast.
I was very concerned how I'd do in the heat but we had lots of shade and an almost constant breeze coming through that kept things at a very doable temperature.
And here's where we were staying! Such a neat experience!
This prairie wagon was in a sweet spot on the ranch. A little ways away from the RV sites and cabins, with just two tent sites next to us and only one site was used for one night while we were there. We also had shade all throughout the day from the trees that were right behind the wagon. Only in the evening did we not have shade from the trees, but then the picnic table was in the shade of the wagon.
Inside the wagon were two bunk beds, a table, and storage cubbies. Very spacious!
We loved how small Hat Creek Ranch is. The kids could run off and we wouldn't have to worry about them.
Happy campers!
Apart from having a difficult time falling asleep because it was so light out, the kiddos were great and had a blast.
These three had a blast playing this fishing game. Will would crawl under the boat and both kids would toss a piece of rope over the side and try to catch their dad...
...and pull him into the boat to eat him!
So silly!
Talking Opa's ear off 😄
And this here is the whole reason we came out to this region - for Will to do some scouting for future hunts!
Currently nothing is open for hunting and our kids know that. When Will came back Delilah instantly asked him, "Did you catch anything, Dad? You know you can't shoot any deers, right?"
The landscape here is so much different than what Will's used to in his less-than-a-year of experience. I'm curious to see what he plans!
Sunday morning snuggles.
James did really well also. The light didn't bother him too much although there was one morning where it felt like he was awake too early but then he happily cuddled, nursed, and played next to me while I slept. 😄
I found these dino painting kits at the dollar store which kept the kids occupied while we listened to a sermon on Sunday morning.
Watching the trees.
Wagon wheels for a treat seemed awfully appropriate given our accommodations!
Chasing Will's drone
There was a small playset that the kids had fun at. Here William is pushing Opa on the swing!
We did a marshmallow roast on Sunday evening but both kids were disinterested. They'd rather just eat raw marshmallows.
These horses were in the field right behind Will's parents' trailer. Such macular animals!
William loved trotting over to say hi to them.
By Sunday evening the kids were tuckered right out and fell asleep pretty quick. Will and I did dishes together and then ran around like a bunch of children. We had a lot of fun.
Will said, already on Sunday morning, that he felt relaxed and rested and if this was all we were getting for a summer holiday then that would be alright with him. And we still had another week ahead of us!
We had a light smattering of rain on Sunday and got to eat dinner in the wagon. We saw dark storm clouds come from different directions but we missed anything big. Later that night, around 11, Will and I stood out on the road and watched lightning storms that were above the mountains surrounding us.
On Monday morning while I was packing up our things inside the wagon I spotted a dragon fly on the outside.
And Will found an inch worm to show the kids
Packing up to head off to our next spot - a Vanspronsen family reunion!
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