Backpacking Siouxan Creek

Yes, we spent a whole day packing and another whole day unpacking 

for 24 hours of 

"vacation".

Yes, there were moments where it felt like we were 

d         r        a       g        g         i        n         g 

unwilling children down 3 miles of rocky path.

Yes, the ground was hard.

Yes, the kids complained.

Yes, we toted around a 6 month old for 24 hours straight.  

Yes, we got very, very dirty.

Yes, we might be crazy.

But would I trade our overnight backpacking trip with three kids?  

Not for any other activity in the world!!

At the trailhead - feeling great!

Nate and I have a tradition of taking our kids backpacking.  We started when Ben was 1 and have been on a 4 year streak ever since!  Although I was a bit leery about going with 3 kids and one under 6 months, I also knew I could take anything for just one night.   We always tell ourselves, "There will be terrible moments and amazing moments; the important thing is making memories."  This time, the amazing moments actually far outweighed the terrible moments.  We had so much fun!

Siouxan trail is perfect for young families.  It can be as long or as short as you want to make it.  Three year old tantruming at a half mile in?  No problem, there's a beautiful creekside campsite just for you.  In fact, there are campsites scattered every half mile or so all along the way.  Now, granted, the better ones are often taken, but, if you're willing to keep walking, you can find yourself the perfect spot.  We actually made it to our favorite spot THREE miles in this time!  I was so proud of the boys.  They even carried their packs.  Well, part of the way at least.

Oh, and did I mention who got to come with us?  That's right, Dan, Sarah, Mom, Wedly and Gabriel!  I love this little video we took at the gas station on the way out of town.  You'll see how excited the boys were to play with Wedly for the first time...

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We had such a blast hanging out with the Stuart's!  It was the first time all together.  Pretty sure my mom was in heaven.  (Dad has a very hard time getting away from the golf course during the hot summer months... Time to retire, Daddy-O!).

Dan and Sarah couldn't stay, but they and Mom hiked in with us the 3 miles to our spot, then hung out for a couple of hours along the creek.  Nate built a boat for the boys after merely glancing at one in a toy store (that's my man!) and here you can see the boys enjoying his handiwork.

After Dan, Sarah, Mom and the boys left, we set about enjoying the outdoors.  Climbing on logs, throwing rocks - listening, smelling, seeing, feeling, breathing in God's beautiful creation.  Man, He is good at what He does!  Here's a 360 to enjoy this next February when the sun trickling through fir trees is but a distant memory.

Dinner was hobo stew: potatoes, sausage, peppers and cheese.  Last year, I committed a huge sin and forgot the sausage.  This year, I forgot the foil!  This made them more mushy and not nearly as fun to cook, but needed nutrients were consumed.  Chocolate pudding for dessert.

We didn't have a watch, and forgot (intentionally by Nate, most likely) our phone, so we didn't think we had a clock until discovering one on our camera the next morning.  We ate our dinner and dessert, cleaned the dishes, threw a few more rocks in the creek and got ready for bed.  It was still pretty light out, but, man were we tired!  So, we just went to sleep.  Levi was up several times, like normal, but didn't wake the other boys.  The ground was hard, but not unbearable.  The next morning, when the sun and rushing creek woke us (oh, the bliss!), I realized our camera had a clock on it.  We had gone to bed at 7PM!  Woke up 12 hours later.  Felt more rested than I had in weeks! 

It is difficult for me to decide which moment is my favorite while backpacking.  It's a pretty close tie between:

•  snack break, especially if it involves Doritos or Jolly Ranchers (guilt-free, of course)
• taking off the pack when arriving at camp (feels like floating)
• sitting down to a scrumptious dinner (having earned every single calorie)
• unzipping the tent to a crisp, gorgeous morning
• coffee enjoyed during said morning (we had Starbuck's Via with flavored creamer - no cutting corners there)
• the ice cream treat enjoyed on the way home (a tradition my Dad started while growing up)

 Each item was enjoyed immensely on this trip.

We spent the rest of the morning exploring the creek and watching the boys entertain themselves with sticks and rocks.

One of my favorite pictures - EVER!

One thing I haven't mentioned yet is what an angel Levi was on this trip!  Napping in the carrier, napping in the tent, smiling and cooing and being content with a water bottle lid for a toy.  He was, and continues to be, such a joyful little guy.  Pretty sure every momma could tackle backpacking with a little one like Levi.

Another thing I'd like to mention is my immense gratitude for my health!  Last year, on this exact same hike, I felt much worse.  You can read about how God provided for me here: http://www.thekellarfam.blogspot.com/2011_10_01_archive.html

After many hours splashing in the water, we began the most dreaded part of the trip - the long hike out.  Even this was not so bad.  My amazing hubby carried a 60 or 70 pound pack AND a 40 pound 3 year old almost the whole way out - while smiling and chatting with him!  Ironically, Sammy wanted to hike the last half-mile, which is a pretty steep hill up to the parking lot.  Ben carried his pack most of the way and only spent part of the 3 miles complaining.  Levi cooed and slept as usual, with a just a little fussing.  Now, don't get me wrong, there were still some pretty terrible moments where all 3 kids were crying and my back was aching and I really wanted more than a hole in the ground for a commode.  But we were still riding high from the previous 20 hours and still had the aforementioned ice cream to enjoy.  Gelato at Chuck's Produce - amazing stuff.  The boys fell asleep minutes after we started driving. 

The Kellar backpacking tradition shall continue. For many, many years to come!