mt lemmon | Simply We

We took the boys camping over the weekend. It had been about 12 years since our last tent camping trip!

For years we have been saying how we need to do it, but never got around to it. Sometimes you just have to force yourself to commit, and that’s what we finally did.

Our plan had been to camp in the pines on Mt. Lemmon, but the sites were packed so we settled on Molino Basin lower on the mountain. I would have thought camping in anything but pines would blow chunks, but was pleasantly surprised. It was beautiful country and we had a blast.

Building our mansion of a tent was a family affair. It took all six of us.

I loved having this cement picnic table. I want one at home.

In the summer of 2003 Mt Lemmon was on fire. The summer of 2003 is coincidentally when Der’s job moved us all down to Tucson. I remember standing in the hotel parking lot miles and miles away watching the red move across the mountain in the dark of night. During the day I couldn’t see the flames just smoke, lots and lots of smoke.

The basin is still scattered with charred remains 9 years later.

We went for a nice hike on the Arizona Trail.

I was smitten with all of the long dead burnt trees.

Sometimes, if enough time passes, beauty can be seen where tragedy once was. Such is the case here.

I love, love, love the grey, swirly, veiny wood.

Jeremia said this one reminded him of Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night. I agree completely! I was so proud that he not only remembered the name of the artist, but the name of the painting.

When we were hiking through this wash, just before I took the picture below, a snake darted across my path, less than an inch away from the tips of my sneakers. It was moving so fast, trying to get away from the humans as quickly as possible. I am not generally afraid of snakes, but it startled me deeply. My brain momentarily lost logical function. I jumped back and squealed ”Agh! Snake! Squeeee!”, like a prissy little girl. My reaction was of great humor to all of the boys.

This gorgeous moss was growing in some of the nastiest, stagnant water I have ever seen.

There were tons of butterflies and caterpillars all over the place. Caterpillars are decidedly easier to photograph than flying butter flies.

Our camp as seen from up the hill.

Our friend the stick bug. He hung out on the side of our tent all day saturday.

Keegan tries to look seriously engrossed in the side of his Dr. Pepper can to avoid getting his photo taken.

Normal brotherly behavior…right?!?!

By the third day we were all dirt balls and in serious need of showers.

I was over the dirt.

Those shoes are supposed to be black not brown. They have since taken a spin in the washer and are back to their rightful color.

Camping is a great way to unplug and remind us all how spoiled we are with electricity and plumbing…glorious, wonderful, amazing electricity and plumbing! Distance DOES make the heart grow fonder!

We are already talking about our next trip.