More camping photos, of course! After we set up camp we decided to walk further up the trail to see what was happening.

Josh brought his fishing pole along to try fly fishing again. Note the “five finger” shoes on his feet–the ones I jammed my monkey toes into the next day, causing mega pain. Speaking of monkeys, my mother just told me over the phone about some nature documentary she was watching about baboons and she was “shocked” by how “predatory” they are.

“See?” I said to her. “People think monkeys are so innocent and sweet, but they’re actually awful and mean!”

I even made a tee-shirt about my distaste for monkeys, ‘member? I’ve sold one!

I need to bathe these pets today. I meant to do it yesterday, when the sun FINALLY came out around 4 pm, but instead we went to the park again and then to visit Auntie Corinne, who finally has achieved Crazy Cat Lady status with her new cat leash! More about that later. Including pics.

I love taking pictures of mushrooms. We found some semi-destroyed spotted mushrooms that looked a lot like Amanitas, which Josh was interested in, but we didn’t take any home. According to Wikipedia, they are responsible for 95 percent of all mushroom poisoning fatalities, so MAYBE that trip isn’t worth it, eh? My mushroom gobbling days are long past, anyway. Tooooo ollllllllld.

Next time we go camping I am investing in water shoes. Flip flops don’t cut it, and the new Bunion of 2013 means I can’t wear my Chacos any more. SOB! Maybe I should put the green ones on ebay–I’ve barely worn them.

A soothing mini waterfall. Ahhhhh…

The color of the lake is so beautiful! My brain responds in a very positive way to that hue.

This morning I met my weight goal at WW. I’ve been at goal for a few weeks, but unable to attend meetings due to camping/hiking/biking/life getting in the way. Now I just have to maintain it +/- 2 pounds for six weeks and I become a “Lifetime” member–I won’t have to shell out 40 dollars a month any more. I’ve joined WW several times over the past decade of my life and this is the first time I’ve stuck with it long enough to hit “Lifetime”. What am I, flaky or something?*

Basically the most important lesson I’ve learned is that I don’t have to deprive myself, I just have to make exercise a daily occurrence, and it has to be something I enjoy. If I feel like I “have” to do it, then I won’t enjoy doing it, plain and simple. What exercise do I enjoy? Walking the dogs is number one, of course!

I just don’t understand people who do not like nature. The older I get, the more I appreciate it. Just look at that fabulous scene!

The meadow, although gloriously green, was incredibly marshy. I started soaking Josh’s Vans at this point, but then accidentally falling into the stream while crossing a log (not captured on video, unfortunately) sealed the deal.

Josh getting busy with his fishing pole.

There he is, trying his best to provide dinner for us. Luckily for back-up we had freeze-dried macaroni and cheese (my choice).

He built the fire; I kept it going while he went away from camp to hang the “bear bag”. Note the Vans right next to the fire–the heat wasn’t enough to balance out the humidity of the air. Moist as a snackcake, I tell ya!

Join me this week for the last round of camping pics–including sun sun sun and fun fun fun.

* yes.