The Twins First Camping Experience

Margaret and Erick decided it was time to try camping with the twins.  Although the weather stays pleasant during the day, we know that it won't be long before the nights are too cold for little ones to be sleeping outside.  Maricopa county has a number of parks which are close to Phoenix.  So for our first trip we chose McDowell Mountain Regional Park.  They had recently opened up a few sites in a primitive campground.  We went up on Friday to make sure we had a spot.  It ended up that our spot was large enough to hold both our tent and the kids tent.  

Only one problem that we discovered.  There are 51 miles of trails in the park of varying degrees of difficulty.  But after one walk to the bathroom, we realized that the dogs could not go on any trails with us.  The desert area is covered with all kinds of stickers.  By the time we got back to the campsite the dogs were fearful of venturing beyond it having had their fill of pain.  No leashes needed the rest of the weekend.  In fact they spent most of Saturday inside the tent sleeping.  

The family arrived on Saturday in time to visit the nature center and see the assorted snakes.  The rattlesnake even cooperated by rattling his rattlers for the twins.  Then we headed to the campground.  Margaret decorated the site with a ghost and Lily brought along her new sparkley purple spider (the only spider that wasn't scary at Michaels).  We had fun watching the twins.  After Margaret sprayed around the perimeter of the site with bug spray, Callum walked around pretending to do the same with a mustard bottle (lid closed) for several passes.  We were well protected from the flies that seem to be thick this year.

They helped Grandpa cook the hot dogs over the fire, sang 'Home, home on the range' and enjoyed a s'more.  One of their favorite books right now is a reissue of Lois Linski's Cowboy Small.  It was originally published in 1949 but still enchants children.  In it Cowboy Small sings Home on the Range so this is their favorite.  Then they had fun playing in our tent and getting out all our stuff.  

We're not sure how much sleep everyone got but it was a fun camping trip.  Margaret cooked us a delicious gourmet breakfast.  We made a trip to the playground and then it was time to break camp.