Camping

Anjali went on her first camping trip. We drove about an hour southeast of home, into the big yellow rolling hills ~ that I call Steinbeck hills ~ dotted with waxy-leaved trees. Exemplary of Mediterranean climates , the landscape is striking. We car-camped in Del Valle State Recreation Area. It was hot! So we quickly set up camp and then went for a swim in the lake. The swimming area had an atmosphere more like a public pool, but the water was refreshing, with not a sidewalk in sight. This was the first time Anjali had ever been in water recreationally (or at least for her parents' recreation). Covered from head to toe (well, ankle) for sun protection, she held tightly to Papi as he slooowly dipped her deeper and deeper. She remained apprehensive ~ though not upset ~ until she noticed a group of children nearby splashing and laughing. I can't guarantee that that is what tipped her to tolerance, but as much as she likes watching bigger kids, I think it helped. When the sun dipped down, it was time to retreat from the water. Anjali played in the grass ~ another new one for her ~ and then we headed back to camp.

Papi started a fire and we prepared dinner. Anjali spent most of her time holding onto the bench of the picnic table to stand, cruise, and squat. She browsed around the ground some by crawling, but the coastal oak leaves strewn on the ground had pokey corners (like holly leaves), which made it uncomfortable. The pork chop was scrumptious.  And Anjali once again loved the meaty bone. With it, she played a long, laughing game of what I'm calling "Share."  *  At bedtime she fascinated in the phenomenon of the tent ~ crawling as fast as she could from corner to corner of the bed and pouncing on the puffy down sleeping bags. After she fell asleep, Mommy and Papi sat by the fire and made s'mores (boy, will Anjali love that someday)!  

The next morning we tried our best to make it to a hiking trail before the heat reached its most intense.  Papi and Anjali took the baby hiking pack for its first outing.  It worked well.  We hiked up a winding road to the highest point in the park, where we could look down on the lake and mingle with the hawks as they rode the currents of air.  We stopped for a snack, and a nap for Anjali, along the way, so it was very leisurely.  Anjali's cheeks were pink, but only from heat; not from sun exposure (ha!  to those "helpful" strangers who have suggested otherwise).    

When we returned to the car the air conditioning was welcome. We look forward to this being the first of countless outdoor outings in our life as a family.

* Renamed, "Now You Eat."