Johansen Family: "Camping"

After our return from San Diego, we were supposed to pack up Friday and head camping to Republic, WA with the Kipps and Prizemans. Thursday night we got word that fires had broken out in Republic, not surprising since our plane landed in the midst of some crazy wind. We left the airport to smoke all around from local fires. We were very sad to hear about the area in flames, beautiful area at that, plus the weekends flying festivities would be very limited or canceled all together. So as a group we decided not to go, but knew we would have some very unhappy campers, literally. Us moms put our heads together and decided to plan our own "camping" weekend. We voted to eat breakfast at Chaps, good ol' skillet cooking. Ok, so not rustic at all going to a restaurant, but it was Sandra's birthday so we had to start the day out right.

Then we hiked up at Mt. Spokane. I have skied there, but this was our first time hiking there for the whole group. Just gorgeous. Half the group hiked to the Vista House - amazing view. The rest of us hiked back down to get the car to drive and pick up the summiters. I guided us down an "alternate" trail back, to avoid the very dusty trail and before we realized it, we were no longer on a trail taking us anywhere near our car. So we decided to head down the hill, our down hill part was actually the black diamond ski slopes of Mt. Spokane. Awesome on the knees. I lost all credibility guiding our group, but our score was Jen and Jordan finding the untouched blueberry field. The rest of the place had been picked over, but this was obviously unchartered territory. Lots of walking later and a crazy drive up to get the other half of the group and we were worn out. Oh yeah, we still had camping.

Jen being superwoman

Shane and James playing some type of war hunting game.

Our personal bear protectors - Yeah right!

Group photos at Bald Knob - really no jokes were made by this group regarding the location name. And this will forever be the site of my very blond moment. Thank you to Sandra for having a complete brain to make up for my half brain.

Sandra, Jen and Jordan on the ski slope with Spirit Lake in the background. Amazing view. WEll worth going off trail.

Chris looked like he was meditating in the field. He was probably asking God how he got stuck with us women and why he followed my lead.

Family photo at the top of Mt. Spokane.

Anders running back to the car. I told the other kids I would pay them a quarter to run to the car. Anders just followed them because he thought there must be a good reason they were running.

We reconvened in town at the Johansen campsite, nice accomodations I might add, as far as camping goes. Running water, flushing toilets, electricity, and a house for the moms to sleep in with the youngest children. Now this is camping I could do on a
regular basis.
Dinner at the campsite

Hanging out by the campfire

Brian in his attempt at Jiffy Pop wars - I think this will be an annual camping game. The men competed for who could do the jiffy pop without exploding the bag. Chris won, but his was also the most inedible. I have a feeling Brian will be practicing this fall.