Labor Day 2011 - Camping Madness!

 SEPTEMBER 2011

 

Labor Day Weekend we headed up North to Gooseberry Falls for a weekend of camping!  We were well-prepared with kayaks, bikes, the burley, the play n pak, the hiking backpack, the stroller, and the list goes on!!!

While we set up camp, Sam started exploring the campsite and playing in the dirt!   It was not Sam's first camping trip (that was in Idaho), but it was the first time "roughing it" without the luxury of a motorhome next door!

Hanging out at the campsite!  Dad LOVES his campfires!

  
Hiking to Gooseberry Falls

 

It was a beautiful hike along the shoreline of Lake Superior, along Gooseberry River, and then up and around and down the other side of the Falls!

Sam was exhausted after all that hiking - dad too!  He took a long nap at the campsite in his play n pak under a shade tree!
 

Sam LOVED playing in the tent - climbing up and all over the air mattress and playing with all the stuff on dad's camping table!

Biking to Split Rock Lighthouse

 

The adventure continued on Sunday when we decided to pack Sam up in the burley and ride our bikes up the coast to Split Rock Lighthouse. 

The weather was uncertain with clouds on the horizon, but we thought we could handle the 6-7 mile round trip.  As we left the campground, the first 1/2 mile was all slow uphill and we were doubting our plan.... then we came across a sign that the Lighthouse was 7+ miles away (15 roundtrip!)  We decided we would go for it and despite the hilly bike ride, we were so glad we pushed ourselves!

We took a tour of the lighthouse and climbed to the top for a great view!  I definitely decided that I would not have wanted to live the isolated life of a lighthouse worker before there were roads there!  Talk about long winters....!

We then got back on our bikes and headed back to camp - Sam slept the whole way in the burley there and on the way back - he definitely had the best arrangement behind dad.  Technically, mom was carrying the baby the whole way - that's some extra poundage!!

 We actually opted to leave Sunday night instead of Monday morning.  Sam's first night camping went pretty well (he did end up in bed with us in the middle of the night), but the second night was an all out disaster with Sam screaming the majority of it!  We did not want to endure that again and we also knew record low temps were on the way.   So, we let Sam play on a tarp (it had rained so muddy), and we took down camp and headed for home!

 We had a great time hanging out together and camping with Sam!  It was a beautiful part of Minnesota to see and experience!  As for camping next summer with Sam and a 6 month old... we'll see!!!!  :)  A camper or cabin looks pretty good!!