The Camping Trip That Almost Was...

....So the day before we leave to go camping, I can't help but notice all the smoke swirling around us as there were about 1000 fires going on in Northern California! I get the wise idea to call the local forest ranger up in the area we were to camp...and was told there was a fire near THERE, too! Only one way in, too, as the other route was closed. My husband, recalling the training of his former boyscout years, announced you never go somewhere where there isn't at least two ways out. Our hopes dashed, I got online to see if I could find ANYPLACE to go within a reasonable distance before calling everyone with the disappointing news. Nope. Nada. Everywhere was smokey and/or on fire.
So, instead, the next day we all motored down to the American River with picnic and rafts in tow and spent the day floating our cares away down the river. It being a Friday, very few people were on the river which made it even more tranquil.
That evening everyone came to our house for our camping supper of bar-b-qued tri tip, salad,garlic bread that we had planned, and corn on the cob that Jenni brought as well as homemade individual vegan cheese cakes that were delicious! Our friend, Jenni, is vegan and is a wonderful cook. Our daughter-in-love, Kristen recently celebrated her birthday and her favorite treat is cheese cake..Jenni was so thougthful to remember that!
Sunday evening after church (we go to a church that has the same services on Saturday night and Sunday morning--it's nice to have the choice!) everyone came back over to roast marshmallows and make s'mores over our outdoor fire pit. We laughed, bonded, had a good time....hopefully later this summer we'll make it up to our lake.

The above picture came from an old photo album of my grandmother's when she was a teenager. I suppose they are relatives of hers. Anyway, it was fun to use to illustrate with!!