I know, I know.... it's been FOREVER!!!! I knew when I started this blog that inevitably I would fall behind. I had no idea it would happen so fast! So, please accept my apologies and stay tuned over the next few weeks as I have A LOT of ground to make up:)
And now, let's travel back in time to July 2010...... to a Langstaff family adventure; Grant's first visit to Yosemite!
As most of you know, George would have us living in a tent if I allowed it:) So, you can imagine how excited he was to get Grant out in nature, ensuring that he too would a lover of all things outdoors.
I must admit, there were several things that made me anxious about this trip.
1st- How on earth will we be able to carry all of the necessary gear for a back country camping trip with a toddler?! Our packs were pretty heavy when it was just the two of us, let alone now that we had to include diapers, wipes, toddler friendly bites, along with Grant's sleeping companions monkey bear blanket and musical sea horse. Not to mention we'd be substituting my regular pack for a kid-carrier one which already means less room than normal. And to top it off, we had to carry a weekend's worth of whole milk for the Grant man. Liquid is soooo heavy!!... which is why we always just pump fresh water from running streams while on these outtings.
Solution: downsize your own necessities just a bit, have a husband who can be the work horse and carry ridiculous amounts of increased gear, oh- and don't go it alone!! Our best tip for traveling families is to bring along a couple of friends... preferably who don't have kids of their own yet so you can enlist their help!! haha:) so funny, but I am so serious!
2nd- I'm never going to be able to keep Grant clean!! I love nature, but the truth is, the further you trek = the dirtier you get. With dirt as you're only ground covering, you can bet Grant was a mess from the moment we left the car; and he LOVED it!!
Solution: RELAX and embrace it... and have plenty of wet wipes! It also doesn't hurt to have a kid who loves water and has absolutely no fear of quite literally ice water. We were surrounded by rushing streams, water falls, and wading areas everywhere we went which provided glorious photos and frequent bathing opportunities. I had to dig deep just to dip my feet and hands in the water, but for his own safety, Grant had to be restrained! Sound like anyone you know?! :)
3rd- Everywhere we turn some sort of danger seems to lurk for a curious toddler. Here are just a few that came to mind (we cook our meals on an open flame gas stove, large boulders abound presenting tripping hazards to a kid who's been walking for just under 1 month, small critters are cute but bears are not- especially when they are ravaging your campsite at night, need I list more?!)
Solution: again, RELAX and embrace it... oh, and constant vigilance! We quickly found that food, stick fights, and rock throwing was often able to distract Grant from most dangers. It doesn't hurt to have those extra no-kids-of-their-own-yet hands so we could trade off. Concerning the bear, just hope your kid sleeps as well as ours. He had no idea the bear was running through camp stealing neighboring campers' backpacks!! Kim and I on the other hand were acutely aware of this fact:)
Though it was a lot of work to prepare for this excursion, everything was well worth it and helped lead to a weekend adventure we hope to recreate for many years to come. Breathtaking surroundings, excellent travel companions, and a curious toddler who seemed to find wonder in everything he saw; just another weekend in Yosemite!!
Here are just a few pics from our 3 day journey through Tuolumne Meadows (8600 ft) to Glen Aulin (7900 ft). ~6 miles one-way. For the full web album
click hereENJOY!
DAY 1 (Fri.): arrival, set up campsite, night before heading in to back country
Less than 10 minutes from arrival and Grant is already coating on the dirt and preparing to tackle his first log climb.
Even the littlest of hands want to pitch in and help set up camp.
We attempted to nap with him, but he thought that was play time so we got kicked out. Proof that if you're tired you can sleep almost anywhere!
After a snack by the stream and wading with Daddy.
Relaxing after a long day in the outdoors.
DAY 2 (Sat.): break down campsite, load up gear, hike 6 hours to destination
Our fearless travel companions Matt & Kim.
Checking out the pack horses we passed on the trail. There were 2 different sets of horses we passed that bring supplies to and from a site camp each day.
Grant passed out after a hard day of being carried:)
Like father like son. Notice no mama in this pic... the water was FREEZING!
Grant and Mommy playing in the tent while George prepped dinner.
DAY 3 (Sun.): break down camp one more time and hike back out
Seriously, this kid was at home in this tent and actually slept 15 hours!! I'm sure being completely exhausted from sensory overload and being super cozied up doesn't hurt:)
The sweet waterfall by our campsite which George and Matt swam under. Grant was less than thrilled when I wouldn't allow him to go along:) If you look closely you can spot Matt & Kim at the top of the rocks on the left.
We all climbed to the top of the rocks on the side of the waterfall. I'm sure we got more than a few "bad parent" looks as we passed Grant from person to person as we ascended!
Grant man's view pretty much the entire time. Not bad!
Grant's Island: We stopped by a shallow section of a stream for lunch on the way out. Yet again, Grant can't resist. I couldn't resist the opportunity to bathe him:)
