So we'd planned to go camping with the Johnsons earlier in the summer and Luke said he'd be able to come, which we needed.
We wanted to camp in City of Rocks cause we'd heard great things about it and had never been there.
Apparently the climbing is amazing and the camping is good and there's even mtbing up there as well. My shoulder was still hurting from my crash so I knew I couldn't climb but I took my bike and figured I could try biking.
Luke had all the gears which was great so we could all climb as a family. It turned out to be 3 hours for each of us to get there, so pretty even for the both of us. So that's awesome.
Kristin gave us great instructions and we made it to camp. Look how beautiful the sunset was.
We had a great set up. It was still a little smoky.
Tess invited her boyfriend and Luke invited his girlfriend and it was great getting to know them.
The night was cold, but we had our hot bottles and thank goodness as it saved us from freezing. So glad that's a camping staple for us. In the morning we got warm and did our hair for the day.
Then Luke took us to a climbing spot he'd thought of. Him and his girlfriend had been here a few times before so they knew the area way better than us. Thank goodness we had them. His gf's name is Veronica and she's lovely. Here's Takeshi giving it a good go. He's amazing for hardly even going. His power to weight ratio is on point I'd say and he's a total natural. We'd do climbing gyms for the winter months but they're SO EXPENSIVE that our family just can't part with that kind've money. So the kids climb around once a year or so. So I'm always impressed at how good they are.
Here's are the girls giving it a good crack. Super proud of them.
Masaru did amazing as well and loved it. So that's awesome.
Here we are just chilling at the area we climbed in. It was relaxing for those of us who couldn't climb.
Dru got up there and gave it a great go. He loved it and I love seeing him climbing again. He used to do it ALL.THE.TIME before we were married.
Here's Takeshi way stoked that he made it to the top.
It's such a beautiful place. I'm sad it took us this long to go there. Idaho really is a beautiful place. I'm glad we live here.
Some more of the views.
Later on that day we took off for a mtb ride which was fun. Here's a shot of all of us that went. Zeke is getting into mtbing now which is awesome for Takeshi. I hope he keeps it up. Those two could do together like Masaru and the twins.
Masaru took a little video of us mtbing.
That night we had fun getting to know each other a little better and telling us our 'How did your meet' stories. Dru and I started and then we heard Luke and Veronica's and Tess and Rhys and Kristin and Chris. It was cool.
And on a side tangent the flies were out of control. Talk about invasion of the flies. It was horrible.
The girls had fun together.
Veronica and Luke.
Look at those disgusting flies. They all stayed there all night and basically froze, so in the morning we had to sneak in and catch them all and throw them out of our car before they fully got warm and woke up. SO GROSS!!
The next day we did some more climbing at this beautiful place.
Tess, Rhys and Kate had to get home, so they left and the rest of us stayed and climbed/hungout.
Yuki and Ella. They got along great this trip. So that's nice.
Takeshi and Zeke. They got along pretty well this trip, so that's awesome. Everything is a competition between them though, so they live their lives trying to 'one up' the other one. I wish they'd just chill, but it's in their nature.
We were waiting for others to finish their climb so we could have a turn, so the kids went exploring. The other climbers told the kids to be quiet and Dru told them to chill out and that's part of sharing the outdoors. Luke went and talked to them kindly so there was no hard feelings hahahahaha I guess when you get older you just don't give a crap about people's feelings and just say it how it is like Dru and these older people climbing and Luke is still young enough to care. It was interesting to watch from the sidelines. I like being older and not caring though, but I guess we have to find a balance. I hope I can find one in my older aging years and not be a grumpy gus and yell at kids who are having a good time in the outdoors.
Great shot of the cuzzies. If I'd been thinking right I would've gotten a picture of our whole family up here for a Christmas shot. But you aren't thinking, when you're having fun, about that kind've thing.
It was nice and warm in the sun.
We got this set up on a timer and got a shot of all of us which was awesome.
Look how high that is!
Takeshi rocking it.
Turns out you can be married for a lot of years and still love each other. Good to know.
Masaru having fun.
Another great shot.
View from the top. Thanks Masaru.
So high.
Dru having a turn.
Masaru.
Love these shots of him.
Luke was kind and gave Masaru a pair of shoes that didn't fit him. So now Masaru has some climbing shoes.
Yuki.
Takeshi.
Then we had lunch and said our goodbye's and decided to get a couple of family shots.
This one of us is my fav.
It was a wonderful weekend full of lots of fun. The kids had a blast and Dru and I had fun and we tried new things and kept busy and full of good food.
I'm really glad we went and our family will be going each year from here on out.
Here's to many more family trips in the future..........And I might even get to climb next time if I stay good on my bike.
