Camping 2012 #2 - Deception Pass

Another camping success with three little darlings is under our belt. Last Saturday morning, we left for just two nights up to Deception Pass on Whidbey Island. I had not been there since I was a girl, but it was absolutely breathtaking. Seattle's summer weather was very cooperative, which made it all the more enjoyable to hike the trails each day and to see some of the shooting stars from the Perseid meteor shower on Saturday night.

We really loved camping for the first time with the Chronik family who we know from Church and who also homeschools. They also have two boys, Luke and Henry, and then a girl, Nora. Nora is exactly one year younger than Veronica and Jason became her godfather in June. I was able to hold a sleeping baby a couple of times, which I love. And she is probably the smiley-est baby I have ever seen. Our children all made you work a little for their smiles as babies. Not Nora. You just glance at her and she has a huge grin for you.

We made the hike up to the Deception Pass bridge and walked across. It was an absolutely gorgeous view and I was glad we did it. However, it was also a little nerve racking. There is a cable fence between you and the two lane road, with a constant line of cars driving by. And then the bridge is bordered with a tall stone half wall that you can see over. All of the children behaved immaculately and everyone was safe. But it was still stressing me out a bit. I think I would have been a little nervous about the height of the bridge even if there had only been adults making the trek across. But children just heightened that uneasiness because they are so unpredictable. Even though they all behaved so well, you never know when one of them is going to make an unwise choice, such as race across the bridge or push their brother. Furthermore, Noah has been especially clumsy lately (he must be growing or something), so I've grown to expect tripping from him. But we all made it across safe and sound and enjoyed the view, and despite my anxiety, I was glad that we did it.

Our next trip is with the Martin family next week and we will be going to Moran State Park on Orcas Island, one of the San Juan Islands. This is another beautiful spot that I haven't been to since I was a girl, so I am really looking forward to it.

Let's hope we can continue our good camping streak!