Ian and I went camping in Flagstaff this weekend for Father's day. It was his first campout. Connor is still a little too young to go and Linda does not like camping. They hung out at home and apparently went shopping at Target and stayed up late watching "Cars". I am hoping to get the whole family to go camping next summer. (hint hint)
Ian had a ball. He gave a running play by play and didn't stop talking until he went to sleep.
Here he is helping out with dinner, opening a can of Spaghettios, which was pretty much all he wanted to eat this weekend.
Some of his running banter -
"We are CAMPING!"
"I love the tent."
"Smores are good!"
"Daddy, can I tell you something... I love camping!"
Ian has gotten handy with the camera and took this picture of me cooking. I haven't been camping in 17 years and had a lot of fun too. I set up the way too large 8 person tent myself and got the fire going in only two tries!
Ian loved the tent. It was a spaceship, cave, AT AT Walker, and then a cave again.
On Sunday we went to the Lava Tube Cave. This is a pretty cool spot to visit if you are in Flagstaff. There is a bit of a climb down some rocks at first, but then it levels out and is 0.7 of a mile to the end. It is straight in and back so you can't get lost.
I explained to Ian how the lava tube was formed and then he explained it back to me the entire hike. He didn't stop talking for two hours straight. I take that as a sign that he really liked the cave. Here is a direct quote I got on video from him.
"Sooo... when a voltano has hot lava inside it's just called a voltano, but when the lava is dried up, it's called a lava tube."
Ian climbed the whole thing himself, refusing all offers of help from Daddy.
"Daddee, I am doing it myself. I am five!"
Climbing back out of the cave. Ian overheard another family that was heading down ask how long the cave was.
Ian - "It's 7 MILES!"
Other dad guy - "Really?" Wow that's far."
Me - "Yeah it's only .7 of a mile."
Other dad guy - "Oh."
Ian - "It took us forever!"
Climbing a tree after the cave. This is a little blurry because I was using the zoom.
Ian helping pack up the campsite on Monday morning.
Our hike in Sandy's Canyon.
We had a great time and were really tired when we got home Monday night. I posted some other pictures on facebook so feel free to check them out too.
6 comments:
Wow, what a great post!
Yes, to be completely I much rather camp out in Target and on my couch then in a tent. I'll go next year, but I think you should be really, really sure you want me to go.
Ian is quite the camper and explorer, not to mention voltano expert. I am really happy that you were able to take him and have a great weekend together.
Next time, take Connor too! (hint, hint)
Oh I will take Connor next time. This was pretty much a practice run. Get the kinks out so when you do come camping... it is really easy.
I will add bug repellent, citronella, mosquito nets, fly swatters, etc to the next supply list.
But I imagine sleeping in the van shouldn't require too much pest control.
You and Ian must have had a ball! He'll have quite the story to tell to his friends. Nice pictures too.
That looks like a blast but I'm with Linda. I'd be camping at that hotel she posted about!
I love that last shot of Ian. So cute!
Hmmm, no birthday tributes here....
:)
Post a Comment