Great Weekend at Coy Flats

Nana and Popo have their camping routine down to a science that almost crosses the threshold of fine art. I marveled at their meticulous planning, packing and sense of process. Of course, I could never be that organized, but it really gives me something to strive for. Beyond serving as camping gurus, Nana and Popo were most excellent companions. We enjoyed our time cooking, eating, stoking the smoky fire, making s'mores, playing cards, hiking, playing ball with Leila, blowing bubbles with Leila, reading to Leila and chatting. And Leila proved to be a pretty stellar camper and tent sleeper. Thanks to all for a marvelous weekend of mountain air.


Leila was not so happy about feeling the spray of this very powerful, up-close-and-personal, late spring waterfall just past Ponderosa. That's probably because she didn't have to work very hard to get there or get back. While Leila sat impatiently as navigator in the backpack on my back, Nana, Popo and I practically slid down a mountain to get to this beautiful waterfall, gripping onto tree branches so that we didn't slip and slide down the acute-angled, loose dirt trail. Ah, but what a stunning view and crisp, refreshing snowmelt spray.

Nana and Leila took a few restful minutes to get in some quality reading time...
Bubble time...
Cooking up some tortellinis on night 2.
We had an intense two-night 500 rummy battle.
Game on? Not for Nana and Popo. "D" is for Dad, "M" is for Mom and "N" is for Niki.
Leila slept in the tent, snug as a bug in a rug.


And best of all... Leila never got sick. For those of you who know the road up to Camp Nelson and, from there, the road up to Ponderosa... it's a slithery snake of a ride that could inspire nausea in the strongest of tummies out there. We debuted the "sea bands" for this ride -- could it be that they are the key to vomit-less drives? We won't leave home without them ever again.