Camping at Springville Crossing

Over Labor Day weekend we decided to take advantage of the long weekend and go up Springville Crossing to camp. Thanks to Joe for getting up early Thursday morning and getting us an amazing camp site. We were tucked back in a cove away from the road but next to the stream. We had a ton of shade and we were not right next to any other camp sites. I liked not being close to anyone because we could fire up the generators and we would not be bothering anyone. All of the kids were constantly dirty. Oh well that is why camping is fun.

Lincoln loved the endless supply of rocks. He enjoyed throwing the rocks in the fire pit, the water, and the dirt.

The kids enjoyed digging in the dirt and playing around the camp.

Lincoln and Crew had the best time playing with the cars.

Talan taking Addy on a pretend 4-wheeler ride. The kids all loved to ride on the 4-wheelers. We had  to make sure that the keys were never left in them or they might have taken them for a spin. We also had to watch that no matches were laying around. We caught Addy with a match behind the trailer. I had to laugh when Joe told Addy that we don't play with matches. Addy responded with I am not playing with matches I am just trying to light it. At least she was being honest.

I love camping at Springville Crossing because we can just jump on the 4-wheelers and ride. We went on a lot of rides. On Friday we rode to Look Out Point. It was dusty but fun.

Joe took Talan and Crew with him on the  4-wheeler.

Jason took Lincoln and I.

Jessica and Addy rode together.

Talan and Lincoln sitting on a rock at Look Out Point. It was so pretty up at the point, I loved the pines and the view was amazing.

All of the kids.

The Bills family at Look Out Point.

The Christensens.

The kids did so good on the ride we decided to keep going and see the beaver ponds. Joe said it was just up a little bit farther. We jumped on the 4-wheelers and headed out. After about 30 minutes of riding we stopped and asked Joe how much farther we had. He said it was just around the bend. It was not around the bend but we finally reached the ponds. It was worth the ride.

We all walked down to the ponds. Talan was tired and laid down for a little rest, while the rest of us threw rocks in the pond. There are about 3 ponds up there and the scenery is so pretty.

This was one of the smaller ponds.

Lincoln throwing his rock in the pond. He could have spent his whole day at the pond throwing rocks. As we walked away he keep looking back and saying "bye rocks".

As we walked around the pond we found this Blow Snake eating a salamander.

An up close photo of the beaver dam. I was hoping to see a beaver swimming around but no such luck.  I don't think that Addy liked the ponds. On the way down she got stung by a bee and the whole way back to camp she keep telling us that she wished that there were no bees on the planet. Talan enjoyed the ride home. He sang camp songs all the way back to camp, I am sure that Joe enjoyed his singing.

After a long 22 mile 4-wheeler ride we needed to cool off. We went down to the stream and played in the water. The kids had fun splashing on each other and throwing sticks to Dakota.

The water was so clear and so cold.

Lincoln was having fun throwing rocks, but he accidentally put his face in the water.

 Even the big boys had fun playing in the stream. There was a broken beaver dam, so the boys wanted to fix it. They spent the afternoon fixing the dam and making a kiddy pool. They did such a good job that they actually rerouted the stream.

Lincoln throwing rocks.

After a busy day playing we bathed the kids and let them watch Monster Inc. They had fun wearing there matching snuggies and eating popcorn.

When we went in to check on them this is what we found. Talan had fallen asleep and tossed his arm over Addy. He wouldn't snuggle with her if he was a wake because he gets so embarrassed if we ask him if Addy is his girl friend. He also wanted me to delete this picture when he saw it.

What to do while the kids are watching a movie? Sit by the fire playing Kings in the Corner and snacking on treats. We were having so much fun we stayed up until after 1am.

We went on another ride up to what is referred to as the Tub. When we got to the turn off the road was closed so we had to walk in to it. Of course Lincoln got a lift from dad.

This is the Tub. It is a dam that shoots water out. My Grandma said that her dad would take her to the tub when they were driving home from Strawberry Reservoir and she was so scared of it.

The whole gang at the tub.

Of course we had to go out on the dam. It was probably against our better judgement because it was falling apart, there is no railing and part of the floor was missing. Not only did the adults go out on it but we also took the kids.

The little boys leaning over the edge throwing rocks. You can see the rebar sticking out where the cement is falling away.

The view from the dam. The sound of the water falling was so relaxing and the site was beautiful.

I don't know why, but I loved this old out house that stuck out of the water.

Talan and Addy climbing up the mountain side. They had fun sliding down the hill, but they were covered in dirt.

Addy trying out her mountaineering skills. She will need to keep practicing because she got stuck and Joe had to climb up and free her.

We had to stop and have a drink and snacks in the shade after our hike up to the tub. I love Crew in his Mickey hat and sunglasses.

Of course we were having fun riding so we decided to extend our ride from the tub and go to Strawberry Ridge. It was so pretty to look out over Strawberry Reservoir. You could see the Marina and the boats out on the lake.

The kids were ready to head back to camp. We stayed on the ridge for a few minutes making phone calls and checking messages because this was one of the few places we had cell service.

Since everyone was talking on their phones, Lincoln picked up a couple of rocks and tried to talk on  them.

Crew was bored so he decided to sit and wait in the dirt. After all the calls were made and we had enjoyed the view we started off to camp.

When Joe pulled in to camp he had 2 sleeping kids. The sound and vibration of the 4-wheeler put both of the kids to sleep.

After another long day of riding we went down to the stream to cool off. Talan, Jason, Addy and Joe wanted to see if they could catch any fish. After an hour or so they came back to camp with some fish to grill up for dinner. Talan loves to fish but hate to touch it.

This is what Jess and I did while the older kids and husbands where fishing and the little ones having a nap. We lounged in the comfy chairs and sipped a cold soda. This was our favorite part of the day.

Talan and Jason showing off for the camera.

We had so much fun camping at Springville Crossing. We arrived Thursday afternoon and set up camp. We had an awesome camp site and we were so lucky to get it. Most of the camp sites were full. The kids managed to stay clean for about 5 minutes and the rest of the weekend they were covered from head to toe in dirt. We spent the weekend riding the 4-wheelers, swimming in the stream and playing games. This was our first camping trip on our own with our trailer. Luckily we took up a generator because we found out that our batteries would not stay charged so we only had heat when the generator was on. It was an adventure.  We were having so much fun camping with the Bill's family we decided to stay until Monday morning. We were running low on food and water but we were all just having such a fun time. I think it will be a yearly tradition from now on.