Bad Bear Camp 2012

Bad Bear Campground is about eleven miles beyond Idaho City.  We don't know where to go, but we figure if we just keep trying new places, we'll eventually hit upon a family favorite.  We didn't want to travel too far because of the kids.  Add that to the fact that we were late reserving places and we needed to avoid three forest fires, that cut our selections down.

Terry and I and Brent were the first to arrive at camp.  We had so much stuff, Brent had to drive separately.  He was carrying our water jugs and somehow one of the spouts opened and emptied the entire contents into his trunk.  Before we set up tents, he and Terry had to bale out the water down by his spare tire.

Bry and family arrived while Terry and Brent went to Idaho City on a water run.  I got the foil dinners ready even though it seemed too hot for a fire.  Stacey and family arrived and everyone was set up by the time our dinner was ready.  Brent's not big on sweets or anything unhealthy, so it's ironic that he's always in charge of desserts.  As it turns out, Friday was National S'mores Day.  We had a deluxe s'more bar.  I tried sliced strawberries on the s'more, a waffle cone with chocolate chips, bananas, peanut butter, and marshmallows cooked in foil, and a Rolo stuck in a marshmallow and roasted.  It was sickening good.

This campsite offered a babbling brook to cool us down during the day, a mountain trail that we couldn't conquer with kids in shorts, and a few wild raspberries.  We had a visit from a forest ranger who handed out Smokey the Bear information and gave us a fire report.  (The smoke was actually less up there than it was in Boise.)  We set up a treasure hunt for the three big kids, and brought plenty of games to keep everyone entertained. 

This year we had three new campers - Brent, Maycee, and Isaac.  Brent was okay, but I was worried about the two little ones (and their parents).  Isaac ended up being the cleanest camper, and Maycee just followed her normal routine and hung out with everyone.  Now I'm thinking next year is the one that we have to worry about.  They'll both be running around by then.

We ate good food and treats all day long.  When Terry and Brent and I left to come home Saturday evening, we weren't even tempted to stop and get ice cream in Idaho City.  The other two families stayed another night.  The kids wanted to stay 100 days and cried when they had to leave.  When we saw them on Sunday afternoon, they were dirty, smelly, tired, and running out of food. We on the other hand, had enjoyed baths, showers, the Olympics, clean clothes and sheets, soft mattresses, and a good night's sleep.  It was a success for all.  We've made a list of improvements for next year.  Plans are already underway.