Camping at Lake Solano

We spent Father's Day weekend camping with the Widmer Family! This was only our second time camping so we were not sure how it would go. We learned a lot from our first trip last summer, but still have a lot to learn. Lake Solano is only about 30 minutes from home,  so it was no big deal when I drove home Saturday morning to get a few things and take a shower! Since it was 6am, I made it back in time for the park to open at 8am! For the record, I only drove home once to shower, and did shower in the camp showers on the other days. However,  Allison did say "Mom you cheated at camping....you went home, showered, got a coffee, and brought doughnuts", so I guess I "cheated" a little but we made it all weekend!! 

When we were packing up to go, it was not exactly fun. Geoff and I had different ideas about packing, but it all worked out and once we were out in nature, all was right with the world! Last year, Paige decided about midnight that she did not want to be in the tent and just wanted to go home. But this trip she was better and was not afraid to stay in the tent. She had Froggie and her pack and play so she was "safe". Als was a trooper and loved every minute of it...except for tubing on Lake Beryessa...that is another post! There were lots of fun things  to do! I tried to take lots of pics! 

Als and Addie looking for fish....

Geoff had a net and was able to catch them from the dock...

Addie scooped the first fish out of Geoff's net with her bare hands, so she got the first fish..she was a happy little camper!

Not much luck on the loading spot so we ventured down the trail to see what we could find...

Geoff and Addie were down in a murky "swamp" catching fish and tadpoles and the Hulbert girls decided to take a time out on the rock and just watch.

We went back to the campground to get the rest of the Widmer Fam and tried the loading dock again...

All is right with the world according to Als. She was in heaven....

Paige and Baby Liam taking a little walk. When he would run off the girls would say "huggy" and he would run back and give them a hug!

The older siblings were the leaders of our crew.....

Back to camp for our first night of S'mores. The girls did not want to wait for it to get dark, but by the time Kevin and Geoff found sticks to roast marshmallows, it was the perfect time for S'mores! 

This picture is why Addie now has the nickname "Scout" from the Hulbert fam. She loved all things about camping and did not hesitate to get dirty, grab fish bare handed, and then hold this humongous toad that she caught with her daddy. Addie Girl will always be our little "Scout". 

We had glow wands the first night, but the second night Alissa busted out the fancy glow in the dark "nerd shades". The kids loved them. They were a great accessory to the glow in the dark skeleton pajamas! 

Als all ready for bed with her glow wand "night light"....

On the last day when Geoff was taking down the tent, Paigee girl pitched right in and was a good little helper...Happy Father's Day!

Group shot of the grubby little campers

After we cleaned up camp, we met some friends from work and we all rented canoes. The girls usually have fun, but they were not having it on Sunday, so Geoff took us to our campsite and we watched from dry land.

The Smith Family paddling by....

And the Widmer Family not too far behind.....

And the Hulber Girls happy to wave to the passing boats. Geoff was a lone sailor on his trip down Lake Solano....

He caught up with the Smith Family once he dropped us off....

Back on shore....the kids all had a piece of bread to feed the ducks....

We had a lot of fun and look forward to the next time.....we will work on our packing skills and do better next time around! It was a great way to spend Father's Day weekend!!