Extreme Camping - Day 1 Getting There

We took 2 vehicles on our camp trip since the boys & I would be coming back earlier than my husband. The boys rode with him & the dogs with me. I enjoyed every minute of the peace & quiet, not even turning on the radio for our over 2 hour drive. The annual fall foliage color changes were pretty to observe. i had the back windows partially down for the furry babies & as we climbed in elevation I could actually hear the leaves quaking in the chilly wind. It had been 28*earlier this morning at our home located at about 4,000 feet elevation. Now, the road we traveled seemed to only lend itself to other campers, raised up 4 wheel drive trucks & an occasional semi-truck as we climbed to 6,000 feet elevation. The road signs seemed to stick out more than usual with their ominous messages: "carry traction devices" "do not pass snow plows on the right" & so on. We climbed ever higher on this lightly trafficked road, the various pine trees seemed to encroach upon the roadway, leaning in from either side nearly enveloping us. My leery concerns & the weather forecast came to fruition as I began to see patches of snow scattered here & there. For a brief space the trees gave way to a view of a lake, choppy with wind-induced waves. Still we traveled on. The wild shrubs & plants seemed to be waving us back as if a warning. Then the scattered patches of snow took over, reversing the order of things, now patches of earth were the rarity to see & soon non-existent. Even the pine trees were more white than green.
We finally arrived at our snow covered destination. The family joining us for at least a little while arrived shortly after us. I shoveled snow off a picnic table. My husband leveled the camper & a fire was built. Chairs were put out & snacks made handy. The collective group of now 5 boys wasted no time in making a huge snowball. A bird chirped excitedly at our arrival, probably in hopes of crumbs. The dogs played happily in the snow. A canopy was erected over the picnic table & towels helped finish drying off the previously snow ensconced sign of civilization (aka-the table). A comment was made about "welcome to the big top" & appropriately so because the bird's eye view did resemble a bit of a circus.

Despite the elevation induced ear ache, the cold & wet aching in my bones & not just surrounding us, it all somehow made me smile. My 6 year old in a giant coat, my 3 year old crying to go home because his hands are wet & cold after begging for a week "When are we going camping?". Seeing my husband in his element-sharing with his wife & children the spot where his family & their close friends have gathered annually for 23 years & will return for the 24th year in just a few days. Trails originally forged around & to the nearby lake by his great-grandfather, still in use today. I've retreated to the camper to write. Through the window I see comradery of 3 families, I hear the fire crackling & snow falling off the trees, conversation flowing. I brave the cold once more to actually try to take part in it all. Besides, the chicken should be grilling soon!
The snow continued to melt, falling in startling clumps as it melted off the trees. All notion of time was lost & pinky promises were made to roast marshmallows tomorrow. I made my retreat to the camper with the kids, all 5 of the boys! They with their chocolate milk & "Danger Mouse" cartoon video (hooray for the generator) I with my medicine, dry pajamas, robe, socks, notepad & pen. It feels like home but instead of a neighbor's cat or dog it may be a bear I see out the window! So ends Day 1.