Four Years Later, SoCal and NoCal Meet Again

I can't believe it's been nearly four years since our last big family camping trip. Looking back, our last big family camping trip was in the fall of 2006. That's about as much time as it takes to complete high school.


The NoCal / SoCal Camping Group. (06/07/2010)

Like our 2006 event, we selected coastal San Simeon as the middle ground, being approximately equidistant between us in Orange County, and my relatives from San Francisco. Plus it has the added benefit of being only five miles away from Hearst Castle, which I consider my home away from home.


James, Truman, Sergio and Tim with our new tent. (06/05/2010)

This year's group consisted of Tim and I, our pal Sergio, our pup Truman, my cousin Michele, her partner Lisa, their daughter Liele, my cousin Ralphie, his dog Dozer, our friends Lynne and Anna and their daughter Colby, and friends Bridgett and Bob, who brought along their kids Phoebe and Tristan.


Tim was like Dr. Doolittle for the ground squirrels. (06/06/2010)

We had the usual camping fun, with a few new twists, like the surprise trip to Target in Paso Robles to buy a new tent (apparently we didn't pack all the parts of our old one). I was also attacked by wildlife: A single bite from a ground squirrel. The little guy was trying to eat a nut from my fingers and got a little overzealous.


Who says Tim doesn't like kids? (06/06/2010)

I haven't started foaming at the mouth yet, so I think I'm okay. As always, we had a grand old time. Hopefully we won't wait another four years to do it again, a'ight?