Camping at Lake Tapps

 Austin's company privately owns a campsite that wraps around a part of Lake Tapps. He's been there a few times for company events and has talked about what a great place it would be as a family. We slowly got camping gear over the years and finally had enough to make a last minute, 24-hour trip out of it. 

When I talked with Mom on the phone a few days before, she said "camping is a lot of prep work." I just want to say yes to that. Even though we were there for a short time, packing everything you need to sleep and eat is a big job! 

The campsite was lovely: it had bathrooms (shower and laundry too for extra nights stay), basketball and volleyball courts, row boat access, a couple of slides and swings, cabins (on lottery basis-all camp grounds are first come first serve, otherwise). This will definitely be an annual family tradition. I forgot how much I like camping. It's so peaceful. I'm not sure I would like sleeping in a tent for days but the one night was perfect. 

Highlights:

-The stunning view of Mt. Rainer 

-Watching a Tongan family playing volleyball

-Roasting over the fire-Dallin trying s'mores for the first time and loving it

-Dallin having no interest being in the water haha. Also, duck poop was everywhere, nasty.

-Seeing a momma deer and her doe

-The excitement of Dallin being in a tent for the first time

-Playing eye spy (his favorite 'game' to do outside)

Things I want to do differently or remember to do next time (this is for me so I can easily look at this for the next time so I don't forget!)

-Bring a swimming suit. I thought it was going to be like all the beaches here but it's more like a swimming pool with cement surroundings. So no place to wade in. Hard to even put your feet in without getting your pants wet.

-Bring a floatie for Dallin or some fun water device

-Try a cabin for more than one night

-Bring an electric skillet (and a phone charger) even if camping because there's electricity outlets-to do pancakes and maybe burgers

-Bring pita bread if doing chickpea salad sandwiches again

-Find a campsite where the table is closer to the fire (table was way too heavy to move)

-Bring more snacks! 

-Bring a volleyball

-Make sure to have some first aid