Foster Fun House: Andrew's First 4th of July, Camping Trip, National Park, and SNOW!

July started off with a bang - but no fireworks. We packed up the truck and headed to Lassen Volcanic National Park for a July 4th vacation... and Andrew's first camping trip! On our way out of town, we stopped and watched the Mountain House Community 4th of July Parade (the town where we live) and although I've been wanting to take Andrew to see a parade since Memorial Day, I forgot the camera. So, you'll just have to trust me - Andrew was very cute watching the action!

After the parade, we drove north for 4 hours and left the 95 degree Central CA weather behind, for SNOW! Andrew's first chance to play in the snow was in beautiful, sunny, 75 degree weather.

Isn't this beautiful? It's Lake Helen.

I prepared myself for camping with an 11 month old by googling what suggestions other parents had based on their experiences. There was lots of good advice, but the biggest piece was to just accept the fact that Andrew was going to get dirty. So, I expected the dirt. What I did not expect was that Andrew would try to eat rocks, sticks, dirt, pine cones, wood chips, leaves, etc. We spent most of the trip running after him, pulling random pieces of nature out of his mouth.

Helping Dad set up the tent

Our Campsite - E16 at South Summit Lake

Andrew picking up sticks for the fire

Mike picking up sticks for the fire

Aaah! A Bear in our camp!

Love this hat!

Lake Summit

No reason why a girl can't look her best while camping!

We swear Andrew had a growth spurt while we were gone - all that mountain air!
His feet were hitting the back of Mike's truck.

A little about Lassen - this active volcano last erupted in 1915, and was made a National Park in 1916. There are hydrothermal areas throughout the park, with boardwalks and fences preventing visitors from falling through a thing crust hiding pools of acidic boiling water. In May of this year, a woman had to be medivac'd out of the park because she did not stay on the designated trail and fell through the ground getting severe burns. Hmmm.... maybe this wasn't the best place to take a newly walking baby? Oh, and did I mention that there are black bears? For those who have not camped in the west, there are signs everywhere about how to protect the bears... but not many about how to protect yourself if you see one. And there were mountain lion warnings that said to keep small children close in certain areas. Hmmm... what were we thinking?

My mom would be proud - we listened to a Ranger talk at Sulphur Works.
He wasn't that great and Andrew was VERY bored.

Mill Creek Trail to the Waterfalls - gorgeous scenery - moderately strenuous 3 mile hike.

I cannot tell you how many people passed us and commented on Andrew in this pack.
And, half the time - Andrew had no idea - he was fast asleep. I had to buy a travel pillow to support his little head.

King's Canyon Creek:

Andrew didn't think this meandering creek was worth waking him up from his nap for a photo opp.

Hike to Bumpass Hell. Man, this place really doesn't sound kid friendly either... and I guess it really isn't - it was named after a Mr. Bumpass, who took people on tours through the park, and fell through the earth into one of the boiling mud pots and suffered severe burns. It's a moderate 3 mile hike into the largest hydrothermal area in the park.