In need for a Spring Break - Part 1 of 4 or 5 {depends on my mood!}

We aren't the only ones who get anxious for Spring Break, Poliwhirl does too.

While Poliwhirl gets us to & fro from here & there in town - stop & go, slow down to the red, speed up before it's yellow, sliding door opens & closes as kids jump in & out - day in & day out - reliable, dependable & well-used.
It tires of it.
It longs for the open road.
It purrs when it has the chance to hit the road less traveled.

Tiger purrs, too...when we get back home - and when he gets fed, for that matter.

We desire that open road, too - so we comply.

One {or 4} must keep Poliwhirl happy :)

Carrizo Plain

Mustn't look back...

Day 2 - must move forward!

Summer in Lassen - Part 2 of 3

I'm hoping Dan can make time to post about his hiking trip up to Prospect Peak. What I can tell you is he left early in the morning and came back in the afternoon.
I had the morning to myself - the campground was quiet, the girls were sleeping and the air was chilly so I bundled up and spent some time reading, "The Book Thief." When the campers around us started to stir I woke up the girls and we slowly moved our way about until Dan returned.

Key, we slowly moved our way about...

Summer in Lassen Part 1 of 3

We made time for Lassen - we made time for us four. This trip was literally sandwiched between a rock and a hard place and we fudged & erased time to make it happen. It, this time together, had to happen.
I know our time together as a family is slipping away - morphing into another version of 'togetherness' - it's inevitable, the girls are getting older.
Fortunately we understand that stolen moments are necessary.

Our first campsite in Lassen National Park, Kaitlin & I decided to retreat from the sun and relax in the shade. We played cards, we read books and we napped. I believe we spent a huge chunk of our day in that manner.

We weren't in solitude - we had to share this beautiful spot with other campers - but if you squint your eyes just so, they disappear.
Kaitlin was bothered by the heat, I was intrigued with this incredible camera!
Dan & Breana spent their day on the raft, in the water, part on the raft and part in the water. They explored & drifted around the Lake. It was a blissful existence.

We acquired this raft on our last trip to Lassen. It's a perfect vessel for us & poliwhirl - it can be deflated & folded neatly into a box and it can be blown up to fit 2-3 of us. Every night while at this campsite, Dan & Breana would go out for moonlight excursions. Every night after cards, of course, or round robin game night w/ scrabble, golo & solitaire a la iTouch.

We came to one of our favorite places so that we could stretch out our days and spend them with ease & with as much simplicity as we could.

After one day of unwinding, it was easy to adapt to...

Yosemite Reading Guide

To fully appreciate our Yosemite trip, please scan down 5 posts to the beginning of "Camping Begin Style - Part I" and work your way up.

Thank you!

Camping Begin Style - Part V

I love moments like this when we steal away from it all...

Dan & the girls laugh while doing dishes together!

This time we were tucked under the trees in a day-use parking lot on our last afternoon here. Comfortably sitting down they managed to get a task done :) laughing the entire time!

We use this time for reflection - of all sorts :)

We listen to each other without inteference or distraction...

and we always keep our eyes up to the heavens...
Ah, camping, Begin style.

Camping Begin style - Part IV

Saturday morning Dan & I jumped on the tandem to hike around Mirror Lake.
This place never dissappoints nor does it let its name down.

And just when all was still in the morning light and if I were at all perplexed at life around me, I'm reminded that everything fits in its place. :)

Camping Begin Style - Part III

When you stop at Happy Isles, you must take a look-see in the Museum. In there I found the most unusual breed of animals. They are believed to be the species that are taking over Yosemite!!! Beware of the one smiling, they are reported to be the most sly! ;)
And there's a reason why one is hiding behind the leaves!
That one just sat and stared at me...

After a quick nap, Dan & Breana took off on the tandem to explore - they both enjoy speed, and Breana loves fishtailing on the tandem. :o While they were off, Kaitlin & I played soonka, the Filipino version of mancala. It was our one-on-one time with our girls. Much needed time.
As is time for the girls to snuggle in their favorite spot above the vanagon. A spot they can only retreat to when we are camping. It's the unused luggage rack that can be reached either through the tent window or climbed up from the driver's or passenger's window. It's a perfectly harmless place to just hang out and be...
or you can lay back on a bench to soak in the Yosemite Falls.

Camping Begin style - Part II

On our bike rides we stopped occassionally by the Merced River. If we had a picnic we would have feasted. Since we traveled without one, we just drank it all in - the whole entire view... from all angles.

An advantage for being in the back of the tandem is your eyes can wander & linger off in a dream state. One hand can even be holding a camera to snap the sky above you...
...but always in front of you when we stop to watch the tiny "dive-bombing" water ouzel.
(John Muir's favorite bird...says our own Damnificent.) Dan & Breana.

Camping Begin Style - Part I

We stole a moment and escaped to Yosemite National Park. There was a time when we were making annual visits during Mother's Day Weekend. For some reason that halted a few years ago - maybe because we didn't want to become desensitized or immuned to the vast beauty of this place - maybe we got busy with soccer - maybe the crowds of people got to us - maybe we just needed a breather...which ever or all of the above, we took that 2 year hiatus and whether that time away rekindled it or just the pure fact that us Begin's love the outdoors, we were blown away & in awe immediately upon entering the Valley as if it were for our first time.
We brought our bikes and just took in the valley floor. After dinner we rode to the meadow behind Lower Pines Campground where on one side is the Half Dome and the other is the top portion of Yosemite Falls. The sun was setting, deer were meandering about, and lights from Curry Village were appearing from behind the trees. If the girls weren't beckoning for us to head to Curry Village (i.e gift shop) we might have stood still for another hour...might have.
Years past we would jump on the shuttle and bum a ride around the Valley. You're encouraged to get out of your car, ride a bike, walk or take the bus. This National Park does have a lot of foot/car traffic. Unlike most camping trips we do, this place can get overly crowded. But if you take advantage of these shuttles, you can ride around & around the Valley checking out the sites. No worries.
Now these shuttles are hybrid - totally cool!
I enjoy the ride from the back of the tandem. Due to bike trails and roads were service cars are only allowed, the girls are free to roam far ahead of us.
And as always, Breana always has her sights set on accomplishing some death-defying feat (a Mother talking here!)..."Mom! Look how long I can go with no hands!"

Spring Break 2006

Spent the day hiking around Anacapa Island...


K&B boarding the boat...

California Adventures

K&B!

:)

Barrage Concert!

Ah, Sunny California!

Antelope Valley

California Poppies and
grape popsicle smelling lupines!
...as far as the eyes can see!
Camping during Spring Break 2006 - Begin style!