Camping

Amy had meticulously planned our entire adventure.  Since I was designated the "hunter/gatherer" my work would come, ha, ha.  We were about 5 miles up the mountain when she realizes while she had planned out the meals, we had actually forgotten to bring them.  So, back down to retrieve, which wasn't a problem since home is close.

Amy sets up the tent.  The temperature was around 60 with some wind.  I quickly.....

....got a fire going.  Too bad we had to use the large kettle in which to make the fire as that blocked some of the heat.  

Our site even had a container for storage with warnings about bear activity.  We had bear spray just in case.  We had brought 6 packages of wood but it became apparent that may not be enough so....

....I went out to gather more.  I brought a maul and began hacking at the side of stumps, cleaving off some nice pieces.  Those pieces burned especially hot.

Night falls.  We warmed chili and ate in the tent, drinking champagne (only a very small portion) to celebrate our 3rd anniversary.  So far, our first camping experience had been very enjoyable.  Next time, a sleeping bag on top of an inflated pad, won't be repeated.  It was too hard.  I've had this arrangement a few times in the Grand Canyon and it didn't bother me but I was probably so exhausted, it didn't matter.  The next morning....

....yikes was it cold!!  OK, 50 degrees but it seemed freezing.  We had slept as long as we were going to sleep under the circumstances so up before the sun rose.  Amy made tea and oatmeal while I got the fire going again.  Jack the Dog had come too and if I had to guess, he too thought it too cold.

Amy invited him to lay in a chair, covered him with a sweatshirt and he stayed there, until we packed and headed down to the warmth of the valley.  We'll do this again soon but at a lower elevation (the camp sites up here close in two weeks) for some added warmth and with alternative sleeping arrangements.