Not too many people will say that camping is their home away from home... but after this weekend's experience, Vince and I will never view camping in the same way! Our standards have changed!
Every year Ed and Uyen attend a family camping trip -- it's a tradition started by Uyen's brother in law, Thao and sister Trang (also wife to Thao). They've asked us on many occasions, but we've been busy with weddings. But this year, we happen to have the weekend off. We are trying our best to slow down with our wedding schedule...
Anyway, we are so glad we finally said yes this year!
We began the weekend camping trip with a stop at
Pescadero State Beach -- for your future info, there are three beaches (one after the other) with the same name. However, the first one we stopped at was the ONLY one with a day use fee of $8.00. So after unloading the children, our gear, and paying the self-registration fee... we walked down to the beach and looked around for the group. After about 5 minutes we noticed that we did not recognize anyone. Hmm... how is that possible? It's a large group -- 80 or more, Thao said. Meanwhile, E had to use the potty. So Vince trekked E back up toward the parking lot to use the potty. Upon his return, he informed me that there are indeed 2 more beaches with the same name! Fortunately for him , the ranger whom he spoke to was nice enough to offer him a refund! Score! So... back into the car and off to find our group. At the picnic area the group was already set up grilling chicken, short ribs, hot dogs, and hamburgers! Wow, what a lunch spread!
The children ate quickly so they could go down to the beach:
MD was ready to get working on a sand castle -- which required getting water!
Then there was the egg hunt!
That's Thao helping James.
E found one!
Then it was off to "Pham"ily camp! (That's Thao's family name and since he started it, he can name it! ;))
See the tents here? That's just one quarter of the tents... the others are behind! We were on 2 acres of land! There were 118 of us at one time or another!!!! 118 people -- can you believe it?!
Play dough time!!!
Dinner prep:
This is the reason I said camping here was home away from home...
I was very intrigued by what was going on here! What was in those bags?
Then I walked over here to see they are washing vegetables -- my favorite, on choy!
Here are all the veggies getting ready for the tables -- napa cabbage,
watercress,
on choy, and another green vegetable that I do not know the name for.
The short ribs are being grilled!
And guess what we had for dinner? HOT POT! Oh my gosh, Vince and I were in heaven! We could not believe we were camping and having hot pot! People, if you have never had hot pot - you need to try it! It is the most amazing dish ever! You put in all the veggies and meat that you want and then eat it with noodles!
It was awesome!!!! (see the shrimp waiting to be cooked int he pot?) Remember those bags earlier? They had the shrimp, squid, meatballs, and
fish cakes in them!)
These 3 were silent as can be... their favorite -- noodles and meatballs!
As Thao was walking around later, Vince said to him, "I've never eaten so well! I don't get food like this at home!" So, maybe it's better than being home?! ;)
And after dinner -- entertainment! Home away from home indeed! My 3 grabbed front row seats! :)
The next morning, breakfast was sausages, scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, oatmeal, and coffee!
We then loaded up the troops and headed out to
pick berries!
10 children picking berries and just as many parents with cameras photographing the children picking berries!
That's Trang in the yellow -- she's walking with Ben (her oldest) and Ryan (Uyen's youngest):
MG has lots of experience picking berries because of Jim and Clare's garden!
MD was done after a few minutes (good thing his admission was free!)
And this little fella ate more than he picked!
There's everyone!
Almost ready for the next event!
After the tractor ride, of course!
The beach was next on the agenda -- where sandwiches, chips, and watermelon were waiting for us:
MD quickly finished his ham and cheese sandwich so he could get wet!
While playing together E asked MD to get him some water...
He obliged!
They had a very relaxing afternoon! (So did Vince and I)
On the way back to camp... we passed Ed, who decided he needed to exercise! Some work out he got -- he rode his bike up hill most of the way! Great job, Ed!!!!
Our last dinner while camping was no small scale entrée -- pasta in many forms, along with a wonderful salad, garlic bread, and more chicken and grilled meats!!!!
Can you imagine how much weight we have gained this weekend?!
So now we are home... the car has been unloaded, the camping gears have been put away, the clothes are being washed as I type... and the car has been vacuumed and washed! You cannot believe the layer of dirt we brought home! It's no wonder I was sneezing most of the way! Home away from home was wonderful! Thank you Uyen and Ed for inviting us!
Here's the group!!!
Here we are with the Yeh Family:
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