Ended up being a pretty uneventful camping trip due to the cold, but we had some fun anyway! Had to drive through some pretty foggy stretches to get out here! Especially since this is deer country, you really don’t want to be going too fast at night. There was also quite the obstacle course to get through the final 5 miles due to all of the downed trees. Consequently, we didn’t arrive until around 10:45pm, which is quite a bit later than our usual. The kids’ grandpa had arrived around 1pm, and had steak waiting for them. They love camping with Grandpa!
Getting camp set up didn’t take too long since I downsized a bit (no cot, no side table, etc), so we were in bed before midnight. Both kids wore their fleecy sweaters for warmth, which was plenty for Sieh. Leeloo is a lot more sensitive to the cold, so she slept in the sleeping bag with me (under a ton of extra blankets, it was chilly!)
Woke up at precisely 9am to two very hungry kids. Got their breakfast for them, then got the water heating for my tea, breakfast, and face washing. Ate breakfast, got cleaned up, and decided it was time to get the fire going.
Had just gotten the kids all kitted up and out for a walk when it started raining pretty steadily, so we had to postpone while we got a tarp over the fire. I always carry a very small, stinky, black-stained tarp for precisely this reason. I’d never put my nice tarp over a campfire, but a cheap blue one certainly does the trick! Should have done it earlier, but we were hopeful that the weather would remain fine.
Had a bit more tea while waiting for the fire to recover, then proceeded with the interrupted exploring. Sieh was feeling his tent time so I just took Leeloo instead of carrying him in the backpack and then switching them out. She mostly wanted to explore the road that runs by our site. It’s a source of endless fascination for her.
In spite of her cold, she had lots of fun running around!
We even got some jogging in!
She loves hanging out on the bridge, looking down at the raging waters below.
She rubbed against the bridge and got paint and green slime on her coat, officially breaking it in.
Sieh gets more and more confident on every adventure! He’s getting a very good sense of where the leash is, so now he feels more comfortable making leaps and bounding about.
He has to stop frequently to joyfully rub against things,
and tree climbing is high on his list of ‘things to do in the woods’.
He explored all over and then was very cross when it was time to head back to camp because it was getting dark.
Wow, the temperature got down to freezing our second night out! I finally had both kids in the sleeping bag with me! Leeloo had already burrowed in when Sieh came over and laid on top of us, and I could feel him shivering. I grabbed him and shoved him inside and he didn’t even shift around to get comfortable, he just feel right asleep all warm and happy. He finally learned the joy of camping snuggles!
Day two we didn’t do much, just took a short wander around the campsite, packed up, and shipped out. It was too cold to stay without a fire, and we burned all the wood the day before.
But we finally roused them, got them sweatered up, and in their stroller. It’s getting brisk outside! The weather held long enough for us to take the kids on a loop through the arboretum. We started out on the newer paved trail that runs down by the road. Sieh gave Leeloo a protective hug to make sure she felt secure.
We saw so many mushrooms! All different kinds!
We let the kids explore the pavilion at the Visitors’ Center, and they quickly found a little path that wrapped behind it.
There were spotted towhees hollering in the trees, and the kids found a little hollow full of bushtits. It was like a spectator event, with the little birds flying and hopping around inside! Both kids spent quite a while checking this out.
We saw more things blooming.
After checking this area out for a while longer, we finally got going to head back. We took the main gravel trail this time, through the winter garden, and emerged by the Woodland Garden. The kids had fun exploring the dock and around the pond (though they were strictly forbidden from jumping into the water!)
Tio Jamie has become Camp Like Noodle’s de facto PR person! Every time we were stopped by someone who was asking about the kids, he’d make sure to tell them about this website and blog! I really need to print up ‘business cards’ that have our info so we can hand them out when people are curious about cat adventuring.
We’ll have to make sure to come back when the Winter Garden is in full swing!
Woke up with another yoga class taught by instructor Sieh.
He’s very talented.
Decided to take the kids to Country Village after I heard that rumours of it being bulldozed soon were true. It’s been talked about for quite a few years, but apparently by next May this place will be gone. I don’t really know how to explain what Country Village is, other than that it looks like a tiny country village and is populated with shops, etc. There’s also a pretty legit duck pond. Anyhow, this place holds a lot of happy childhood memories for me (and quite a few as an adult thanks to Keepsake Cottage Fabrics), so I’m seriously bummed that it’s all going to be gone soon.
There were lots of little human kids, so my kids mostly stayed in the stroller (Leeloo loves screamy grabby toddlers but Sieh is TERRIFIED of most children) while I took them around to see the sites. The did get to do some on foot exploring around the duck pond.
We started out at the duck pond, with its little dock and tiny boat shop.
Sieh was, of course, very interested in the bamboo growing alongside the pond.
We saw a chicken that was eating an ENORMOUS grub, and got to watch him clean his beak in the dirt after finishing his meal.
We showed up right at duck nap time.
I really recommend that you check out pictures of this place (I should have taken more scenery shots), or visit if you’re nearby. Many of the shops have already closed up but you can still wander the grounds, which are the best part to me. When it’s gone, it’s gone!
Sieh got to visit Elliot Bay for the first time! Leeloo has been on the Centennial Park waterfront trail a few times, but now she got to go with her brother which was even more fun!
To get there, we rode on the bus, which was a first for the kids to do in the stroller.
Tio Jamie lives in Belltown, so we went to his place and waited outside for him to join us. While we were waiting, a nice person stopped to ask us about cat strollers, and it sounds like they’re going to get one for their cat! That’s a victory in our mission here at Camp Like Noodle!
We walked down to the waterfront trail, and headed for the beaches. Leeloo was afraid of the big freight trains, but Sieh was brave and let her hide behind him. We don’t know why Leeloo is so afraid of transportation, but suspect it may have to do with something that happened to her before she was rescued. We’ll definitely be working on it so that she doesn’t have to feel afraid!
Leeloo was still too nervous about the trains and other industrial sounds to enjoy the first beach that we got to, so she hung out in the stroller while Sieh explored. (I wish we had gotten a picture of the dogwalker who stopped and was absolutely ENTHRALLED by Leeloo. She even held her! We meet such nice people on our adventures.)
This seagull was hoping that the kids had some snacks to share. My kids are not the snack-sharing type.
The beach is extra fun with tio Jamie!
By the time we reached Leeloo’s favourite beach, we were far enough from the scary sounds for her to relax and really have a good time. She was so excited!
There were so many rocks to climb on,
and holes to investigate,
and sometimes you get told “no” and have to be grumpy about it.
Leeloo even managed to get stuck to the blackberries.
The sandy beach is so much fun!
After we played at the beach for a while, we headed up to the Belltown Mud Bay. The staff here are so friendly, and the kids had fun climbing around on stuff, and they even got some freeze-dried chicken.
Location: Canyon Park Petco, Paddywack, North Creek Trail, McCollum Park
Date: October 3rd, 2018
Activity: Strolling and exploring
Had a big day up near Gramma’s!
First we went to the big box store to check out all of the small and twitchies. While the fish and the birds were interesting, the guinea pig was the first prey animal to really captivate them. I had to keep reminding Leeloo to keep her feet off of the glass.
After that we drove to Paddywack (an independent pet supply store in Mill Creek) for some treats and a new leash for Sieh. Everyone at Paddywack is super friendly, and the kids always have a good time. Leeloo even met a puppy who has the same leg broken as she had when she was found. No pics of all of this because one mom to two kids is a tricky ratio.
After that fun we set off on an epic stroll along the North Creek Trail. The wetlands that we were at yesterday are actually part of the trail, but we were starting farther north than that. The kids made lots of people smile as they sat side by side in their stroller, taking in the fresh air and sights. I was mostly excited to get to take them into the wooded loop at McCollum park, something I couldn’t do with the old, smaller-wheeled stroller.
We unfortunately arrived at the same time as several schools’ worth of crosscountry students. They were walking the route that their race would take through the park and the woods, so we didn’t get to spend as much time poking around and exploring as I’d have liked. Sieh is very easily startled by people running or moving quickly if he feels exposed, so they mostly stayed in the stroller. They did get to play by the creek for a bit, though, and explored a short section of trail before we had to head back to Gramma’s.
I can’t wait to bring them back to explore here where there aren’t several hundred kids running around, haha.
We started the day with a yoga class taught by instructor Sieh. Then, once we were all limbered up, we headed off to the wetland near the kids’ grandma’s house. I can’t believe I’ve never brought them here before!
It was very overcast, so there was hardly anyone else there.
The kids had never been on a floating boardwalk, either, and they were very surprised when it would move around!
Sieh, of course, was mostly concerned with how much grass he could eat,
while Leeloo wanted to stomp around off-road.
In his quest for more grass to stuff in his face, Sieh made a grave miscalculation. What he thought was solid ground was actually scummy marsh water with a thin layer of duckweed.
Thankfully both kids had on their fleece sweaters so they were good to keep exploring for a bit.
We stopped at a local pet supply store on the way back to pick up some shampoo and conditioner for my stinky kids, and then we headed home.
Once we got to Gramma’s, it was bathtime! I brought a space-heater into the bathroom, and filled the tub while the kids waited in the hallway in their carriers.
Sieh was very upset about his bath until I started his shampoo massage, and then he ended up liking it in spite of himself! He was very docile and let me give him a towel dry and snuggle.
Then it was time for some serious drying work with Leeloo’s help!
Until it was time for Leeloo’s bath! Leeloo enjoyed the sensation of floating in the water, but was not pleased by the shampoo massage or conditioner treatment.
Neither kid was feeling the blow-dryer, and since it was so warm in the bathroom from the space-heater, I let them air and tongue dry. I think once they get used to them, they’ll have fun with their baths. Now I get to enjoy their soft and lovely-smelling fur until the next time they decide to get mucky.
A stroll with Gramma! Since she got them the new stroller, their grandma was eager to take them for a spin in it. The higher handle (we’re 5’9”, and it’s actually tall enough for us) and big bicycle-style wheels and tires really make this stroller a joy to handle.
We walked through Gramma’s neighbourhood and crossed over into the bougie Mill Creek Highlands neighbourhood, and headed for the owl park (there’s a big carving of an owl on a prominent stump). Gramma found a little tiny cedar grove that the kids enjoyed exploring!
Sieh worked on climbing trees,
while Leeloo stomped around in the underbrush,
and trees continue to be excellent scratching posts.
Second time using the brand new stroller that their Gramma got for them! The first time it was already dark and we walked to Volunteer Park to look at the Space Needle, so no good pics of that.
Wanted to get a quick walk in, so we bundled the kids up and headed out!
It was a little chilly!
The kids really wanted to get out and explore, but this was strictly a quick walk.
It was so nice outside, but a little cooler than it’s been, AND the air quality was good, so we took the kids to a nearby park.
They got to explore in their matching tanktops.
Leeloo thinks she should be allowed to explore without her leash on.
I don’t know what this awkward pose is all about.
Jamie tried to get Sieh to pose on the dragon sculpture and he was being uncooperative until I walked over.
He’s such a momma’s boy ❤
Sieh is unimpressed with all of my rules: don’t eat that, don’t go in the bushes that smell like something died in them…I’m obviously completely unreasonable.
Leeloo found a dead crow, and tio Jamie brought it over so that Sieh could check it out too. He was very impressed!
We hung out at the park for a bit longer, and then it was time to head home. Thank you, Seattle parks!
Location: Gildergreen Grove, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, WA, USA
Activity: Camping!
I finally get to work on the blog post while I’m actually out camping!
Drove out here Sunday night after work, and it was RAINING! If you’re not in the PNW, this might not seem like something to be excited about, but for the past few weeks the skies of Seattle have been BROWN. There are fires in eastern Washington, fires in BC, a fire on Vancouver Island, and fires in Oregon. Basically, we’re surrounded by fire. Oh, and the taiga was burning, so we got smoke from freaking Siberia as well. Seattle air quality has been worse than Beijing’s. So not only does it LOOK disgusting (you can’t even see downtown from the West Seattle Bridge…or Capitol Hill…), it’s not safe to be out in, especially for people who already have breathing issues.
So what a joy to be driving down to the Gifford-Pinchot National Forest and have it start raining! It made driving a little difficult, though. Not because it was WET, per se, but because the rain brought out HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF FROGS. The last 17 miles of forest service road was VERY FROGGY. I’m a big ‘do no harm’ person, but damn, those frogs weren’t making it easy! I’m pretty sure there are a couple little frog bodies stuck in Majel’s tires. But hey, the air quality is great down here, and the sky is so blue!
The campsite with direct river access that we’d initially wanted was already taken by a group of farmer-looking types (MASSIVE litterers, left garbage and gross stuff everywhere), but we were able to find a spot a short ways back that we’d passed. This site had a trail that seemed to eventually lead down to the river, so we called it good and parked. Set up in the rain, got the kids inside, and crashed.
Early Monday morning, I went to check and see if maybe the litterers had just spent the night and moved on, but no such luck. Jamie, meanwhile, had tremendous luck with finding us a better campsite! A short ways down the trail was a barely visible turnoff that lead down a hill to a nice area by the river! The kids hung out in their carriers in Majel while Jamie and I packed everything down to the new site.
Wow, what a site! We’ve got plenty of room for both tents (even with my giant 4-person tent that I bring for the kids), the Happy Habitat, my hammock, and a huge sitting area/kitchen.
We set up my Kelty Noah’s Tarp with my new Kelty poles just in case it starts to rain again, and because the trees were still dripping from the good rain that had just stopped.
Finally, it’s time to let the kids explore! Leeloo climbed every tree, and Sieh went up the big hill!
Leeloo checked out the edge of the water,
and wanted to climb across this tree trunk bridge,
but I’m a mean mom, so I totally went across but wouldn’t let her. I think if we come back and it’s really hot out, I want to try the kids with swimming, but only if they want to, haha.
Sieh tried to snack on all of the local flora, which he of course was not allowed to do.
After he went up the big hill and walked around for a while, Sieh decided that he’d had enough of adventuring for a bit, so he got to take a nap in the tent.
Leeloo hung out in the Happy Habitat for a bit, then had a little more adventuring, and then she went in for a nap as well.
There’s SO MUCH trillium here! It’s seriously everywhere! Since it’s so late in the year none of it is blooming and a lot of it is getting pretty dried out, but it’s still amazing how much of it there is. It’s all native plants out here. I can’t wait to come back in the spring and early summer!
We had some visitors of the stingy persuasion, so we set up the mosquito netting under the tarp, and I put the bug net on my hammock. After a bit of reading and relaxing, tio Jamie took a walk to figure out where the rest of the trail goes: overgrowth. He headed back and obliged me by putting the kids in the hammock with me.
Sieh kind of dug it,
Leeloo wasn’t so sure.
The litterers had cleared out midway through the day, so we took the kids on a pre-dinner walk over to the campsite we’d been originally aiming for. Leeloo went with her tio and Sieh went with me. We explored the stream and a small stagnant area that had little fish in it.
Tio Jamie kept trying to get Leeloo to see the little fish but Leeloo was too impatient.
Sieh just wanted to eat the grass and drink the water which was a big no-no.
Leeloo was being very good, climbing lots of trees and exploring the underbrush. I didn’t get a picture of it, but tio Jamie reports that she fell out of a little vine maple and her leash got snagged so she just hung there in her harness slowly rotating until tio Jamie got her down. This is precisely why Leeloo wears such a supportive harness.
Sieh used a bridge (twice!)
He also found down from some kind of warbler (tio Jamie’s Best Guess) and huffed them so hard they got stuck to his face and he needed my help getting them off.
Whoa, that’s a lot of water.
Leeloo and I ran back to the campsite, and she stopped to climb a tree along the way, but I can NEVER get video of her climbing trees! Tio Jamie and I were just complaining about this when Leeloo decided to oblige us.
Then it was time for dinner and bed.
Tuesday morning I woke up at 7:30 again, went and got our food from Majel, came back, set my water to boil, and puttered around the campsite tidying and setting things up. I got my short morning yoga routine in, washed my face, made some chai, got the kids their breakfast and ate mine. Oh, and the kids did their circus cat routines for treats. 10:00 and we decided it was time to wake up tio Jamie, so I stuck Leeloo in with him while I went to move Majel down to the now vacant river campsite. It’s going to be much easier to pack our things out when we don’t have to climb up that steep hill!
Time for the kids’ morning walk! We’d just gotten started when some douglas squirrels showed up! These are the indigenous red squirrels of the area, but there’s so few of them now because of the invasive asshole grey squirrels. Leeloo treed one and then was waiting patiently for it to come down until she noticed that Sieh was stalking another one. She took off after it at full speed—until she hit the end of her leash.
After his foiled stalking attempt, Sieh wasn’t really feeling the walk vibes, so after he’d been out for a bit and nibbled on some grass he headed back to the tent to hang out.
Leeloo kept hunting the squirrels for a while before we called it quits and headed back to camp.
After relaxing around and having some lunch, we decided to grab the Happy Habitat and head over to the vacant campsite for some river fun. The kids rode in our arms as we waded across to a little island, and then alternated hanging out in their habitat with exploring the mini island. I went across the water to the main island and looked around a bit until Leeloo got panicked that she couldn’t see me.
Came back to the mini island and let Leeloo explore while Sieh hung out in his ‘cave’ (a Beatles beach towel slung across one corner of the Happy Habitat).
Then Sieh wanted to come back out, so they checked out a little tangle of trees together.
Then both kids wanted to hang out in the Happy Habitat a bit before we went back to camp.
Snapped a quick pic with the sun in our eyes and then headed back to camp. Tio Jamie reports that Leeloo tried and almost succeeded in eating a bald-faced wasp before he pulled her off of it. She is so obsessed with trying to catch the ‘spicy’ snacks!
Hung out reading and writing until evening, then packed up and headed back to the city.
The kids were TIRED. Sieh hardly made a peep, and he usually yells any time we’re on slow, meandering roads. They both slept almost the entire ride back. One hilarious note: we stopped for ‘road trip dinner’ and a Taco Bell employee was trolling HARD and wrote our names for our orders as “Vrasity” and “Jammy”. So amazing, I wish I could have tipped her.
We definitely have plans to revisit this site many more times, in all seasons, because it was so beautiful. I can confidently say that it’s my favourite campsite ever.
Camp Like Noodle 