December Bus Weekend

I just didn't get enough this year. What with the new engine install, I just didn't get enough camping in my blood stream to satisfy my thirst. So seeing a break in the weather last Friday, we surprised our six year old by picking her up at school with a fully loaded Party Pickle. We took the short drive down I-5 and pulled into spot B-17 at Champoeg State park.


When we got there it was just about dark, so I started a fire and started to unload all the crap we always bring with us.


I strung up some lights on the Pickle to get us into the holiday spirit and we had some good food for dinner. The girls wanted Ravioli, but wifey and I had good German brats grilled with sauer kraut and onions. It was very good! AT night we sat by the fire and met our friend Jasan, who brought his girlfriend Jill down to meet us. We made smores and the girls loved those. It was the only thing I could think of to get them out of the bus where they'd been hunkered down because of the cold. But by the fire it was nice and warm.



In the morning we were greeted with full sun... and everyone was ready to play.

We had a great time breathing the fresh air and checking out all the other campsites. Why didn't we do this all winter? Oh yeah, it was a bit nippy and wet. But other than that it was great. Hey this is Oregon anyway right?









We had a breakfast of muffins, eggs and bacon. (Why don't eggs ever taste this good at home?) And we had some good coffee. Then with our batteries recharnged we followed along as the girls rode the bikes around the campground doing several laps.

Our dog enjoyed the long walk too.

We loaded up the Pickle and went home on Saturday. It was a short, but nice trip.

Then on Sunday we allowed Charlie to get in the action with our annual Christmas tree hunt.

We went to a local tree farm about 3 miles from our house and found a nice Noble Fir for only $25 bucks!



Armed with my trusty saw, we cut the tree that Lani selected and then loaded it up on Charlie to bring home. So to sumarize.. two trips, two buses, one weekend.. and one very happy family!!!!