Riverford With the Littles. June 29 - July 1, 2015

Ahhhh - who are the Littles?  They would be Tyler (8), Shelby (7), and Magnus (7).  This is their third year with me. The first two years I took them car camping because they were just too 'little" to do much of anything for themselves -especially anything that hinted of carrying their personal belongings (think sleeping bags) in the smallest of small kiddie backpacks.  So we camped at a nice  campground up the Clackamas. One year we did a day hike to Alder Flat and the next year we soaked in the tubs at Bagby Hot Springs. 

This year I thought they'd be ready for something more challenging than walking from the car to the picnic table.  I was pondering out loud to Jessica about where we should go.  Jessia said something like this. "YOU,RE WHAT??"  "BACKPACKING??"  "Think of just one word.....  ___________ (enter name of any one of the three "LIttles". 

I did. Visions of tired children with their sleeping bags dragging in the dirt; of bloody knees from tripping on a steep trail; of me carrying an 85 pound pack full of their Pokemon cards, their footed flannel pjs, and their pillow pets. 

I am ashamed to admit it but I blinked, I flinched, I caved.  We went back to the very same campground as before - but we stayed two nights!  Next year, dear Littles, I promise I'll take you to Top Lake

Instantly upon arriving at River Ford campground they headed for the river. 

Then into the river - as far out as they could go. Really, the water was very shallow. 

They conquered the rock!

Another rock. 

Found wildlife

Made a pet out of it

Everything got wet. They changed into dry clothes and played-what else but Pokemon!

Took a day hike to Alder Flat. 

Climbed up a big rock. Magnus is at bottom right. 

And a final victorious pose on Indian Burial Rock. 

Blessed bedtime.