Camping in Steamboat

We did it again, having not learned from our previous experience on our road trip, we went camping! Actually that is mis-leading. We love camping and the kids love it even more. Yes, it is a bit of a logistical nightmare, but it is worth it.

This time we headed up to Steamboat Lake, CO (pictures here). We had never been to Steamboat which is almost inexcusable for me who has lived here for 10 years and is flat out sinful for Katy who was born here. Packed the kids and the car full-up and headed up to the mountains on Wednesday morning. It is about a 4 hour drive...yea great views and yea in-car entertainment system.

Our campsite was on Bridge Island in the lake. Only technically an island because of a small creek that cuts it off from the mainland. Unfortunately, pine beetles recently ravaged all the trees there so we were left with no shade on the few hot days we where there. It was no less beautiful, just a bit more uncomfortable. Our spot was a few short steps to the water much to the kids delight. We pitched the tent (poorly as we would soon find out), and made camp. This would be a unique trip in that there would be no camp fires. Colorado has been pretty torn up by wildfires and even though most bans had been lifted thanks to a wetter July, Routt County had a open flame ban and good common sense said that was smart. No campfires of course is a big downer to the camping experience, but I must say, we didn’t miss the smoke.

We had no big plans for the three day visit. We would swim, fish, boat and hike and play, but first, the fun story of the trip.

So, Caden, being a recently fully potty trained kid, had some trouble with the Vaulted toilets at the camp ground (honestly, who doesn’t). So we had to make a few trips to the Marina where they had more proper toilets for him to use. On the first occasion of this trip, a bit of a storm was kicking up out over the lake. Caden and I headed to the marina for a 20 minute potty attempt (without success). Noticing that the wind was picking up, we hustled back to the camp site to find Katy in the midst of chaos. Herself and four other campers where desperately trying to hold down our tent from being blown away by the massive gail coming right off the lake squarely at out tent. I did stake down the tent, but only with old, used weak stakes...I assumed the 1-ton of crap in the tent would keep it in place. No sir. The wind physically pulled every stake out and moved the tent 10 feet away. Katy had Molly hiding under the table from the severe wind and rain and myself and Caden attempted to help. It was pointless. We could get the stakes in (doubled=up), but it would only stay in place and stay up if I held it against the wind. Katy dashed the kids up the car and turned on a movie for them (I really, really love our minivan for this and I don’t care what you say!). We battled the wind and rain and decided we couldn’t risk it and packed up the whole tent site (took 30 minutes compared to the 4 hours to set it up) and headed into town (45 dark windy minutes away). After arriving in town around 9pm, we found no rooms and were feeling rather wimpy having given up so easily...especially since the weather cleared. So, and I am very proud of this, we decided to turn back and set-up camp again knowing that it would be well past 11pm when we did this. Now I never thought I would say this, but, thank goodness for Wal-Mart. We hit up the store in Steamboat at 10pm for some proper tent stakes, ice, and some portable shade. Got back to the campsite around 11pm. Caden woke up and wanted to help rebuild (imagine his confusion waking up back on-site with this stupid plan). But, it really wasn’t so bad. We got it set-up pretty easily and moved in nicely. The kids fell back asleep in the tent and we crashed with them. After explaining ourselves to the our neighbors who were surprised to see our tent again that morning, we were back up and running. Definitely made the right choice. The storm that night did not break-us down.

So we swam some more and played some more and took a boat and fishing pole out on the water. Uncle Mark, don’t worry, we didn’t catch anything--that first fish is still waiting for you.

Saturday morning we packed-up camp (again) and headed to town for some planned tourism in the city. Ironically, our neighbors from back home were also in town so we hung with them bit. The highlight was going to the downtown pool which included a natural hot spring. We played in the pools there for several hours before walking to lunch. After enjoying some ice-cream on the sidewalk, we made the drive home. Non-stop.

The fam in the mud at our camp site.