This weekend we took our first family solo camping trip and it was great fun. We drove out of town about 2 hours and did some serious car camping. It was a little tricky trying to set up camp and cook with a baby, but we managed. For the trouble we were rewarded with a breathtaking view of a pine canyon to wake up to, without having to leave our toasty bed. We successfully cooked over the campfire, and the best reward of all was a trip to the hot springs a mere 15 minute walk away. We’re still working out the kinks so that my super tall husband can comfortably sleep on the air mattress, but it was the perfect ending tribute to summer and a tender time for family bonding.
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| For my birthday I got the “garage” attachment for our Hobitat tent. Luke thought it a bit much when we first set it up, but then understood it’s beauty as the weekend progressed. I will say that the spot we set up in didn’t allow the garage to fully extend, which is why it looks a little weepy in the middle. We were working around trees, you know, nature and all. |
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| Here it’s partially opened. As you can see we used it to keep our luggage and as a changing room. |
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| It’s fully opened here, on both sides. If we really get into it we can get poles to hold the flaps out and then it creates a shady spot to hang. I love it! |
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| Almost to the hot springs! |
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| Luke recently rafted this part of the Payette river and they came upon the hot springs that we soaked in. He was a good hubby and remembered the name and location so we could camp here. |
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| We had to ford the shallowest part of the river on the left to get to the hot tub, but it was entirely worth it. |
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| Hot spring shower anyone? We shared the “hot tub” with a lovely couple who adored Porter. |
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| The spring had been dammed up and had a sandy bottom. The shower of warm water was a little intense for Porter initially, but it felt SO GOOD! |
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| He came around. |
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| Ready to make the 20 minute hike back to the campsite. Have I mentioned that I LOVE our Deuter Kid Comfort 2 hiking backpack? I DO! It makes experiences like this one possible, and even easy, with an 8 month old. Not only did it carry our child, but we packed in a change of clothes, a towel, water, a sarong, camera, keys, diaper necessities, sunglasses and there was even a little space left. LOVE IT! And love that my baby loves riding in it. Quality family time camping and soaking in hot springs…tender. |
Boise is considered the high desert. It is 2,730 feet above sea level, has a dry climate, averages 234 sunny days a year, and receives about a foot of rain yearly. The summer tends to be pretty hot and dry, between 85-95 degrees with stretches over 100 degrees. The winter can be quite cold. I know what zero feels like. This is what makes me appreciate the beautiful sunny days we’ve been having this spring. It makes it even better that we are getting to enjoy the outdoors with our new baby this year and that Luke’s work place makes it so easy to take walks in the foothills.
For a brief time in the spring and fall, the hills are green and burgundy colored with blooming grasses and the trees have leaves. The sky is filled with big spongy clouds and the temperature hovers around 70. It doesn’t get much more tender than that!
I’ve been documenting our hikes so that I can look back when I’m schvitzing like crazy this summer or piling on the blankets next winter, and remember that there is a time of year when being outside makes me very genuinely happy. To have anytime to enjoy the great outdoors is a treat and a luxury, and I’m happy to share it with you!
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| Luke works at the bottom of this hill |
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| Yet another view of downtown Boise from the foothills. |
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| Luke is the designated family pack horse, and I love him for that. |
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| Simplot hill: great for sledding in the winter and ice block riding in the summer! |
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| Beauty growing from the dry earth |
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| I finally got a picture of him awake during the hike. He promptly fell asleep after this pic was taken. Porter likes his Deuter hiking backpack better than all the rest because his giant baby body doesn’t get scrunched up and he stays much cooler. |
This last week my dad, Porter’s grandpa, came to Boise for a visit. Whenever family or friends come to visit I am always reminded about how lucky we are to have such wonderful people in our lives. During my dad’s visit he cooked up a storm. He made everything from curries to chicken soup, and we were lucky enough to have a friends dinner where my dad cooked. It was a great treat to have my dad cook the whole meal for us and I know we were all very appreciative of his tasty curries. Luke and Shaun jammed on their guitars, Lucy and Porter were their charming selves and it was heart warming to spend a beautiful evening with everyone. We are so blessed to have each other!
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| Porter and his doula Aunt Sarah playing at friends dinner. |
We spent time hiking on the greenbelt and in the foothills. Hiking was made much easier by the sweet Deuter hiking backpack to carry Porter in, from REI. The foothills were green and in bloom.
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| Porter’s Grandpa |
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| Napping on the hike. |
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| Downtown Boise |
My dad was also nice enough to beef up Porter’s wardrobe. My 4 month old is wearing 12 month sizes, with just a little room to spare! I especially love the plaid jumper he’s wearing when he fell asleep on my dad. It was a great visit and I we’re so happy that Porter has family that wants to be involved in his life, because no matter how much stuff this little boy gets, it’s the relationships that make our lives rich.
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| Tenderness |
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| Porter the acrobat |
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