We have always tried to squeeze in a camping trip during the summer.
This year, we waited until last minute, but found a suitable campsite, outside Allegany State Park.
Well. I thought it was suitable.
On the journey down, we stopped for lunch in Ellicottville. It was a lovely, cool, sunny afternoon. We had a lovely lunch. Cervezas in the sun. Well- not Dyleva, they had ice tea.
Then we headed up the hill.
We took Dyleva to the Climbing Forest.
It was AMAZING. My little spider monkeys climbed those trees like it was nothing!
Seriously...It was a little embarassing on my part.
This clip of Eva needs a link because its long....but worth it!
I was so proud of Dyleva. They didn't even flinch. I was a little freaked out with the letting go part. They loved it!
What a wonderful afternoon! Later we rode the Sky coaster! Very cool car on rails through the wooded forest.
After the forest, we ventured to our campsite.
I usually go in with low expectations....c'mon it's camping! I thought the site was fine....secluded, safe, warm....
Jeff thought it was subpar.
Dyleva had no problema with it. They ran in and immediately began setting up their bedding.
It was so cute. First of all, I am a die hard tent camper. However, we got a cabin was because it was dropping to 40 degrees during the night.
Our cabin had 4 single beds, 2 above and 2 below. Dyleva instantly ran into the bedroom below and began setting up their sleeping space.
We settled in nicely. The first day was a blast. Throughout the night, we could hear critters running around underneath the floorboards. Totally freaky in the middle of the night because it sounds as if they are right next to you on the floor.
The next day....not as good. Dyleva was on a high from climbing; which explains their excellent behavior and kindness the night before.
We woke up slightly different.
We began a brisk hike, on one of the Allegany trails at the ambitious hour of 11:30.
The trail was amazing. Not paved, totally natural- as in you had to climb over nature to continue the trail. However, this did not sit well with me.
I was hiking with a post-Achilles injury hiker, and two small children that did completely the opposite of whatever I asked.
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| In the fish's mouth! |
They were going to break their necks. Or a leg or something. So they climbed a few boulders, while I held my breath. Ironically, I was the one that got hurt. But I don't mind taking one for the team.
We finished in tact. I would have liked to go further sans children. That's all I can say.
After a lovely lunch in the sun and an exploration over slippery rocks (where Dylan fell in, naturally), we took out a paddle boat.
We were quite content to guide Dyleva around the lake. It was calm, peaceful, sunny....an absolutely gorgeous day. But man they wanted to paddle.
I said no. But then I thought about it, looked at Jeff and said, why not? Let's take an hour off.
So picture it. We were the parents basking in the sun while our ninos worked their keesters off to literally paddle us in a circle, for an hour and then fight about it.
"Dylan, I'm steering! Don't touch it!"
"No Eva! You have to paddle faster."
The imaginary window was up. I looked at Jeff. "Did you hear something?"
"Nope." he replied.
After tuning out their bickering, fighting the urge to throw them overboard, and meditating on the sun, we again took over and motored to shore. By this time wind picked up, and it actually was work.
They were such a pain; I was so sick of listening to it, I made them do the dishes. This is them peeking out the window (don't judge; we had running water.)
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| Doing the dishes! |
Back at Chez Wagner and our glorious campsite we were preparing for night number two.
We arrived at a neighbor with a guest doing a live concert. He was really good! He covered Van Morrison, John Melloncamp, Bad Company, etc.
And the dude played from 6 until 11!
Seriously!
And he was two campsites down, so we didn't even have to leave the site to listen to him!
Other than my children's crankiness, (which may have been precipitated by a freezing cold cabin, peeing in the dark, and rodents underfoot), I enjoyed our weekend.
Good thing.
D day is next week.
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