Kanaskat-Palmer State Park, site #25 Campground||Muckleshoot (Coast Salish) land
January 8-10th, 2026
We weren’t able to go camping at all in December due to the TWO atmospheric rivers that were causing flooding. We technically could have gone earlier in the month, but I had work, so no dice. Poor Leeloo didn’t understand why I went from telling her we were going to camping to telling her she’d have to wait until January. She was sadly pushing her “CAMPING” speech button a lot. Thankfully, we were able to go camping in January with no issues!
Rolled into our campsite pretty late (well, later than usual, at around 4:30.) It was already starting to get dark, so I quickly got the inside of Majel all situated so that I could let the kids out of their Sleepypods. I got the tarp up over her so we’d have the covered “porch area” and also not have to worry about rain getting in the window where it stays slightly open for the extension cord.
While I was getting us set up, an orange tabby trotted by our campsite. I called out to them, they stopped to look at me for a moment, and then they carried on about their business. They didn’t seem skittish, so I assumed they were supposed to be here, but I did check in with a volunteer to see if anyone had lost an orange cat. Nope! Kitty lives here, and there’s a black cat, as well!
Once our campsite was sorted, I rolled on over to the iron ranger to get us checked in on paper. It was totally dark at this point! This time around I chose a campsite that was closer to the bathrooms via the paved road so that I wouldn’t have the smooth but far road vs bumpy but closer trail conundrum.
I was so exhausted, I could have gone to sleep right away, but I had to stay up so that I could feed the kids their dinner at 7pm. Once we hit that mark, all bets were off and it was bed time, lol.
DAY TWO
Woke up all snuggly and warm with Leeloo on my chest. She slept there all night, unlike last time when she spent most of her time in Sieh’s Sleepypod. Sieh spent the night on the seat next to me, just where he sleeps when we’re in bed at home. It all felt very companionable.
Got the reflectix down from the windows and took in the view. This campsite is fairly open and has two pull through sites across from it, but there was hardly anyone in the campground at all, so we couldn’t see anyone else from our spot. And since we were in a back-in spot, I wouldn’t see anyone when I’m laying down anyway.
More train sounds this morning, which was great. I was originally worried that we wouldn’t hear any trains in Kanaskat-Palmer because they state that trains are quite rare on this line, but we actually get to hear them a couple of times each day.
Got us all our breakfasts, and settled in to chill.
Around 1pm, I got Sieh ready to explore the campsite. He got so excited when I got his harness out! Once he was warmly dressed, we headed outside…but the train was going by again, and apparently Sieh is not a fan of the rail sounds. We went back inside Majel to wait for it to pass, then tried again.
He was much more relaxed this time, and enjoyed poking about, nibbling on grass (and trying to nibble on non-grass, as well. Thankfully, I keep a close eye on him.) He saw some little birds scratching around in the fallen leaves, got to stare worshipfully up at a tree, and…ate some more grass, lol.
After he decided that he was ready to go back inside, I got Leeloo dressed in her fleece dino sweater and her harness. She was incredibly interested in looking out when Sieh and I had the door open, but she was pretty nervous about being outside, a lot like she was last time. Very strange for her.
Since Leeloo didn’t want her wander, I got both kids into the big boxy backpack and loaded them onto the rollator. We did our loop of the campground, which they really enjoyed, especially since there were hardly any other campers.
Once we completed the loop, I decided to see if we could make it down to the river. On this side of the campground you can hear it really clearly. I really wanted to take them down to see it at least once, so I decided to brave the unpaved trail. I was emboldened by the sign that said it was only .1 of a mile away. This was a really bad idea XD. I mean, we made it, and they had a nice time (Sieh especially was standing up out the top of the backpack, eagerly watching where we were going (they really miss hiking *crying emoji*)
We got down there, stared at the river for a bit, then headed back. I really should have turned back when I realized how steep the hill was getting down there, but I was determined. On the way back, Sieh walked alongside the rollator for a bit, until another camper stopped to talk to us and he wanted picking up.
Came back and COLLAPSED into Majel. Not supposed to be getting that much (or really, any) exercise. But now we can say we’ve been down to the river (which is the main selling point of this state park) so we don’t have to do it again, lol.
Lazed about reading while the kids had their post adventure baths and then naps. Since we’re officially past the 12 days of Christmas, I bid adieu to holiday music and switched to some Enya and assorted New Age music to keep with the chill vibes (I’m rocking with my old iPod, which I haven’t added music to since like, 2013.)
The kids scarfed down their dinners on top of the cooler, then went back to their favourite spots for their post-dinner baths.
It was after dark when I heard one side of the tarp come loose. The ground is super saturated, so even if I get the pegs in really well, a good gust can pull them right out, and there isn’t much stuff to physically tie down too at this site like there was at the last one. I tied down the one side to a sturdy sapling, and got back in Majel.
About half an hour later, the other side came loose. Sigh. Got out and just tied it down to the side mirror, because there really wasn’t anything else to secure it to. It wasn’t SUPPOSED to rain overnight, but I’d sleep better if I wasn’t worrying about water getting in the window or soaking my poor rollator (that has to hangout outside due to lack of space inside.)
Worked on this post, then I finished making most of the reflectix window covers for Majel (just have the back window left to do) and man, it really makes a difference in the heat retention. Leeloo slept on my chest all night, but it definitely wasn’t to keep warm. I even had to turn the heater down, because it was getting a little too roasty toasty!
DAY THREE
Woke up with Leeloo on my chest and Sieh fully on my lap.
Got up and took down the tarp since it was still a bit windy and we definitely didn’t need it anymore. Lolled about in bed for a bit longer, then got the kids their breakfast. Sieh kept trying to eat his before I had it all mixed together, lol.
After that, Leeloo snuggled up in her Sleepypod, and Sieh posted up on the cooler to keep an eye on things in the campsite. I read my book.
After a bit, I noticed that Sieh seemed to be actively watching something, so I sat up to take a peek out the back window, and it was the other campground cat! They were going to all of the spots that the kids had been walking around yesterday, with special focus paid where Sieh had been eating grass. They eventually wandered out of sight, but it was cool getting to have seen them.
Around noon I started getting us packed up to head home, because check out is at 1pm. When we camp fully contained in Majel like this, it’s so quick and easy to get packed up. I put the kids in their Sleepypods and buckle them in, fold the back seat up and chuck the bed in the far back, put my rollator back behind the passenger seat, unplug from the campsite power, and off we go!
Camp Like Noodle 