Camping with friends at Portola Redwoods

Last weekend, we met our friends Todd and Sarah, along with several other of their friends out at Portola Redwoods State Park. The general idea was to let the kids go feral and enjoy nature down in the redwoods and creek; Nimue obliged.

 

Chad was a Very Good Sport. Of course the chance to relax, read, and nap helped considerably.

 

Nim quickly joined the kid pack. The trees around our campsites provided the perfect place for the pack to found "Camp Nitro". I don't really know why "Nitro"; I was told it was short for nitrogen, like that explains anything...

 

They had a Camp Nitro Pledge of Allegiance, and then tried to troop off into the woods in the dark on a puma hunt. Sarah patiently explained that this wasn't a good idea, while Nim tried to explain that she didn't think it was a good idea either and the only reason she was tailing along was to keep everyone else out of trouble. Patrick the puma hunt leader was unfazed.

 

There was also a fine creek running through the campground, which the kids took full advantage of.

 

 

Cold wet Nim.

 

Evenings brought toasted marshmallows (including some scary homemade ones generated in my kitchen) followed by glow stick fun for the kids. Kids include Chad.