There is something about camping...the outdoors and lake life. Something about the freedom your kids have while camping - biking down to the beach, the store to spend a couple of dollars on candy, or to the playground. Uninterrupted family time - whether at the beach, playing bocce ball or around the campfire in the evening. Memories in the making and moments to treasure!
The campgrounds at Shuswap are well maintained and are so spacious. There are many trees to allow for privacy. There are no hook-ups so we needed to use our generator to charge the battery each day (during certain hours). And a couple times over our stay we needed to go and use the sani-dump station and fresh water fill. With having a hybrid, it meant a little more work to pack the beds and then make them again. We understand that there will be some upgrades made to this campground in the near future, including electrical which would be so great. Pastor Ian and his family, including his sweet grand daughter Charlotte who Kirra absolutely adores, were camping near us and we appreciated that he was new to camping and was helpful with some instructions for use of the generator.
We had great weather while we were there. Really hot weather, just the way I like it. And the air was clear (free of smoke) until toward the end of our trip. We enjoyed many days on the beach and in the water. Terry and Jaret even kayaked to Copper Island one afternoon which is over 1 km off shore so lots of paddling round trip. We played bocce ball in the evenings. Terry and Kirra against Jaret and me. We intended to have a seven game championship but in the end only got four games in that ended in a tie. We had ice cream everyday, in fact, I think I am going into withdrawal, not having had ice cream since. Thankfully, I did do some running while away and Kirra even biked with me one morning. We sat around the campfire every evening and roasted marshmallows - sometimes to make s'mores and sometimes just to have roasted marshmallows - or burned, if your name is Jaret. Terry and I sat around the campfire at times and listened to the laughter of the kids as they played Kick the Can with other kids around the campsite. We went down to the beach to stargaze and watch the falling stars - I think that was one of my highlights. We also rented a boat and loved our days out on the water. We read books and relaxed. The kids played and made friends. In fact, Kirra made a friend named Alana - they spent so much time together while Alana was camping with her Dad. One evening, the kids even participated in the Learn to Fish Program but all that was caught was a stick by Jaret. It was fun though and they look forward to when they can fish again.
Some things we would do differently on our next camping trip:
-not pack as much (from clothing to food - something I should have already learned)
-purchase a bigger outdoor mat for the camper and a larger table for the camp stove and bbq
-purchase a collapsable wagon to help haul all our stuff to the beach
-Terry may add - buy an F150 and maybe a boat (teehee)
When I asked the kids about their highlights, they couldn't even choose because they just loved the whole time we spent in the Shuswaps. And I would have to agree, there were so many great moments that made for a fabulous trip. We are already looking forward to next year - maybe one month instead of just two weeks, unless we decide to enjoy a trip down the Oregon coast. The options are as open as the road that lies before us...
Pit Stop
We have become that family - one vehicle with the camper
and the second one following behind with the kayak and bikes.
Our home away from home...
Relaxing - "Ummm, Mom, we need to buy a second hammock."
Mostly because Terry and I also spent time in the hammock,
when the kids wanted it.
Old pine trees that have stood the test of time...
We ate well - one of my favourite summer meals -
Peach Salsa with Pork Tenderloin
With another campfire ban due to dry conditions and BC fires,
we were glad we had a propane fire pit.
Many good memories and lots of marshmallows roasted...
One of our many days out on the boat...
Someone is excited to get his learn's license in a year.
In the meantime, learning to drive a boat...
Kneeboarding - only a couple of runs before Jaret hit hard
An evening walk - mother and son - down by the beach
Kirra's friend - Alana
Tubing!!!
Time for a dip...
Copper Island Jump 2018...
The stillness of the early morning at the lake
Kirra's last day with Alana - they didn't want to say goodbye
Learn to Fish Program
American Girls just hanging out around the campground
A walk along the beach with my girl and her dolls
Did someone say, ice cream?
Our last stop before we left - skipping rocks...
Hmmm - as I post these pictures, I just want to go back. What a great and relaxing summer vacation with lots of family time! See you again next summer Shuswap and Copper Island!
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