Sound Bites & Snap Shots

Welcome to Walker’s Birthday weekend!  In lieu of a party, Walker opted to have dinner out with friends and go camping at his happy place.  We made the reservation last month and booked Walker’s favorite unit—Raganeau.  When we arrived, we saw our names on list for the weekend lodging on the camp chalkboard.

We arrived bright and early Saturday morning and took an impromptu hike around the campgrounds.  The boys took turns being our guides and exploration was the name of the game. When the trading post opened, we checked in, drove to Raganeau and unloaded our gear. 

Then we made our way up to the stables for our trail ride. 

The weather was gorgeous for our hour long ride and all the horses behaved, mostly.  Just before we started I popped into the outhouse to do my business.  When I was done, I unlatched the hook and pushed the door.  It wouldn’t budge.  I wiggled it and shoved it to no avail.  Trapped inside, I hopped up on the commode and cried out for help.  Thank goodness, Bill heard me and came to my rescue.  Apparently, I’m not the only one this has happened to; the mower was also trapped this week.

After our hike we grabbed our backpacks and our vittles and set off for Pakentuck, the destination of the All Day Hike during traditional camp.  Walker chose the lunch menu:  jars of peanut butter and jelly, Ruffles chips and Wonder bread.  We added goldfish for Mason.  These are, of course, the offering when the campers have lunch there too.

After lunch we skipped stones.  All three boys were really good at it.  In fact, one even warned the others to stand back so as not to hurt the others with his awesomeness.

There was a lot of beauty way out in the woods. 

Before returning to camp, Mason and I took a detour across the Amantacha bridge.  Yes, I let him climb the cables which made Bill cringe.

When we got back to Raganeau, we were delighted that the rain that had fallen at Pakentuck veered away from our unit.  It was time to open presents.  First was the gift of gummy frogs and a cash-filled card from Camille, Frankie, Uncle Drew and Aunt Mo. 

Mason gave Walker a rain tarp and bug net for his hammock, accessories he had been pining for. 

His big gift from us was the iPhone 6 Plus I just got.  He’ll get the previously owned phone after the new iPhone 6 Plus S arrives.  He was beyond happy!

We lit the fire and started the dinner prep.  The menu was Forty Clove Garlic Chicken in the Dutch oven.

We all read while we waited for dinner to cook. 

Bill prepared cobbler for the boys in lieu of cake.  (He is quite the cook even outdoors!)

Our candles kept melting in the pot so we had to hold them in our fists as we sang a raucous rendition of Happy Birthday. 

As the sun went down, we huddled around the fire, told stories and roasted marshmallows.  It was a wonderful end to the day.  Walker climbed into his hammock with his book and Bill, Mason and I retired to a cabin.  The next morning, Bill prepared a mountain man breakfast in the Dutch oven with eggs, sausage, cheese and hash browns.  It was delicious and the birthday boy returned several times for more.  We made a mad dash to clean up after breakfast and head to town for Mass.  Note to self—when data services are unreliable, it’s always better to have a hard copy print out of church locations.  Despite the race against time and geographic challenges, we arrived a few minutes early and settled in for a sweet country Mass. 

Earlier in the morning, I asked Walker how he slept.  He smiled a big grin and said, “I finished my book!”  I loved seeing the delight on his face.  Being allowed to read until the wee hours is a struggle we face but last night, there was no fight. Snuggled warmly in his hammock, he got to do what he wanted to do and no one was there to stop him. 

After Mass, we returned to Raganeau to tear down our camp and leave it better than we found it.  We loaded up our car and headed toward home.  By the conversation in the car, I will venture to say that the birthday boy had a wonderful celebration.