Backpacking 2014

With much-needed winter rains finally arriving, I remembered that I had not shared details about my family's 2014 backpacking trip. We went back to the same spot this year - this time hiking into the valley just as a thunderstorm met us there. We were cautious, ditched our packs and crouched apart from each other a few times under a forest canopy while distant lightning crashed about. Eventually we made it to our campsite, pitched the tent, and got our gear out of the rain. After an hour or two of UNO and settling in, the clouds gave way to blue sky for the rest of our three-day trip.

The rest is told in pictures - you might compare some of these images to those of last year's outing.

To parents of our kids' friends - you should seriously think about joining us next year!

Frigid water - up to chest-deep

No-bake cheesecake, yum!