Monday, July 23, 2012

Now, where was I?


NW California coast
You might remember that I was recovering from a family camping trip in my last Blog, so you will be somewhat surprised to learn that I have been at it again, sleeping on a hard surface that is. No sooner than the words, "That's enough camping for me for a life time,"emerged from my lips, our good friends invited us to share a campsite in Northern California for a week. They go to the same spot every year and were meeting long time friends, and just happened to have s space available. Mrs Legend agreed immediately, which I didn't mind, as she never gets time off from her work for more than 2 days. I'm safe agreeing here, I thought. I'll show enthusiasm, despite a 700 mile drive in each direction. Two days later, she e-mailed me to start loading up for our impromptu road trip.

Crater lake
If there is one thing guaranteed in my life, it is that I cannot guarantee anything involving my wife.

I should know better.

Well, it was absolutely spectacular. Our camp site was a disused homestead in the middle of the Humboldt National Redwood Park at Albee Creek and a 2 night stay on the way back up at the Crater Lake National Park. The folks we met through our friends were all foodies. Dinner started at 5 with cocktails, appetizers and a full blown gourmet's feast. I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

The sleeping wasn't too much of a problem on account of the alcohol consumption, although getting up for a pee 4 times a night in a campground known for its bear visits can be a wee tad unnerving.
Legend Jr found a friend and was adopted by several families so we didn't see much of him. On a side note, our bathroom in the bedroom has no door, so doing anything in there is basically a spectator sport. Our wee man has grown up helping his Mommy locate her tampons and towels and handing them to her while she is sitting on the pot. While emptying one of Mommy's bags in the car so he could have something to put all his forest finds in, a large pack of "sticks" fell on the floor. His little friend asked him what the sticks were for. "You don't want to know," he said with an air of worldly weariness, "you really don't want to know."
Anyhow, on that note, I'll finish by conceding that I might be open to further trips like that, on the understanding that we are with the same crew.

I can't remember laughing so much, or eating and drinking so much since we got married.



Unusual debris from the Japanese Tsunami
I did find this beautiful wrought and cast iron gilded tea strainer in the
 blacksmiths shop, so I bought it for my sweetie for our upcoming anniversary
Amazing Blacksmith's store in Victorian town near the campsite
Hmm, I could fit all my Legos in here

Treebeard and a Hobbit

No dehydrated shit for these guys

Caveman BBQ. They were amazing (Licks Lips)
















23 comments:

  1. You could almost sell me on the idea. All but the sleeping on the ground part. It does look beautiful and yummy!

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    1. Tapas and Paella on the last night. Those folks knew how to camp in style.

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  2. a beautiful part of the world, one which I shall explore hopefully at the end of the summer, so do keep us informed of the delights!

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    1. Come up this way too. We have lots of room to stay.

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  3. my views on tents are well doucumented ....but that's quite a view!!

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    1. It was like a Grand Canyon moment when we looked over the crater lip and into the lake. It is so crystal clear.

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  4. I have to admit Wally that I could possibly forget about my lifelong utter loathing of camping if I could stay in this kind of a place. Getting up for a pee is one of the worst things specially when it invlves getting out of a nice warm sleeping bag (or even worse a nasty cold one). The addition of bears would just be the poison icing on the cake.

    Just thinking of how I hate camping makes me realise I'm saying something pretty big here! ( Although I'd also enquire into hotels, however expensive. )

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    1. I hear you, but this was the most beautiful of places. And the food was amazing....All I need is my bed in the tent.

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  5. Fantastic post on the best sort of camping. Northern California is a place I want to get to - for a wineries tour, not necessarily for the camping - it just looks so darn beautiful!
    Loved the bit about junior and the 'sticks'. I remember my little nephew, who lived with his parents two doors down, running into our house. "Grandma! Mommy needs a pontam!"

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    1. I'd go back there in a heart beat. Maybe a fly drive option, as the drive down and back again was a bit tedious.

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  6. I'll admit - I'm no fan of camping, but this place is astounding! What views!

    ps..........Legend Jr looks soooo like you!

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    1. he's a mini me, but with bags more confidence and panache.

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  7. That is one gorgeous tea strainer...

    But camping? No. No. Just no.

    And I laughed at your son's weary remarks about the "sticks." My daughter had a friend over last week and they were talking about stuff they'd rather endure than having to watch any more political ads. My daughter's comment? "I'd rather be forced to watch my parents having sex than watch another political ad." Her friend said that she'd rather lick Charles Manson's feet. So....yeah..wow.

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    1. Hilarious. I'm with them both on that one.

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  8. That really looks like fun, and I generally loathe camping. Also, nice strainer:)

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    1. It was a great experience. Staying in one place helped relaxation (and so did the cocktails)

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  9. Hi legend,
    What a camping trip, I have never seen anyone BBQ like that, laying the meat right on the coals, I will take your word that it was great eats and drinks. Happy to hear that the trip was that enjoyable given the long drive getting there. That little one of yours and his sticks has me wanting to know his answer to what he was going to do with his pile, maybe a later post you can get it out of him and let us know.

    Your writing and music is magic, keeping one perfectly entertained.
    Thank you for your sweet comment on a risk my daughter is taking in life, and a compliment to treasure.
    Keep inspiring us with your honest beauty.
    O, I love the tea strainer you purchase for your wife, a really beautiful thoughtful hand crafted gift.
    Treasure that wife of yours.
    See you soon, and your folk style music.
    Xx
    Dore

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    1. He was probably going to try and sell them on the site, knowing him.

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  10. Now this is weird - I thought I had already commented on this. Unless you deleted it for the Tea Strainer Envy that it contained :-D

    Looks like you all had a marvellous time - particularly like the hobbit and his tree!

    Ali x

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    1. Not guilty, at least not of that. I'll let you use it when you come over.....

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  11. How excellent, I hope you go every year. "No dehydrated shit for these guys" !! No kidding, that's amazing!

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    1. I think it has been put on our calendar. We might need a year to get over the quantity of food and drink!

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