Summer Birthday Celebration

On Tuesday my lovely {L} turned double digits! That's right the big 10. Time seems to be flying by so fast especially on these hot summer days and splendid cooler summer nights. Last years birthday camp out went well and so {L} wished to have another one this year.

We set up tents and bought marshmallows for the campfire.... which never happened, it was still to hot at night for a fire. At least I have a stash for next time.

I made a quick camp sign out of the cardboard found at the bottom of the bottled water case. I had some scrap book pages in the craft cabinet and glued them on.

This bouquet came out beautifully. The roses are from the butterfly garden around the fountain. Lace and hot glue up- cycled my old spaghetti jar really nice. Add a solar light without the spike into the middle.

Simple patio set up. but enough to give a festive touch. Please excuse my gardening transplant pots on the side.

This is the result from the solar light, a luminescent nighttime bouquet. I definitely will experiment with these in the future.

The party went well under a magically lite sky by the Full Moon I special ordered just for her (wink).

This whole week has been pretty eventful and I'm really looking forward to this holiday weekend. We are trading in BBQ's and fireworks for sand, sun, and boardwalk fun. I wish you all a safe and sane Fourth of July.

Mother's Day Weekend in the Woods

Wow the weekend is almost here again. Last Thursday I was scrambling around getting our camping equipment and all necessities packed  and ready to go for our first camping trip of 2015. Even though it rained the night before we still headed out Friday morning to Orchard Springs Resort.

The up and down road that leads to the campsite is beautiful with country scenery and wildlife.

We camped at tent site 270 ,  a nice spacious site with the basic camping amenities. R.V. sites and a few cabins are available also .

We all worked together to set up camp and then got to enjoy our home away from home. I grow up camping and love sharing this pastime with my own little tribe.

Surprisingly even though we are in extreme drought Rollins Lake has ample water, and oh what beautiful scenery. This is a view from the N.I.D. overlook.

It seems during the week  construction was taking place. {M} is in love with tractors and was excited  take a photo op.

The woods are full of Pacific Madrone trees. We dubbed these chocolate trees because they are so rich in  color. The way the branches twist is a wonder in themselves.

A stream runs through the camp. A little cross bridge is located below cabin camping up on the hill.

We followed a little off the beaten path trail and found this cave. At first it seemed a little creepy, a big open mouth cave in the side of a dirt compound facing the lake. Bears perhaps? Later Internet research proved to be an old mining shaft created by hydraulic mining. In the words of Huell Howser" that's amazing
 California Gold".

Rollins Lake really is beautiful, here's the view from across the cave.

I really enjoyed my Mother's Day weekend in the woods and look forward to camping here again. Orchard Springs Resort campground is family & pet friendly if you wish to visit. The store however is closed, temporary or permanent I am not sure. Rentals for the lake other than your own boating also wasn't available at our visit, this could be due to off season. If you happen to visit and spot me and my tribe don't hesitate to say hello.