If I were a poet or songwriter I’d try to write something about my love for Oregon forests and being in them with children. Growing up in Utah, we did a lot of camping. One of my favorite memories involved scrambling to get dressed in the cold morning air to get outside where my Dad had hot cocoa waiting. My brothers and I would stay in our sleeping bags until he announced it was ready, then we’d all jump up, pull our long-johns off, shudder at the cold on our bare skin and get our jeans and sweaters on. Then out the door to warm ourselves up with a nice cup of hot cocoa by the early morning fire.
I still enjoyed camping as a single girl, especially after moving to Oregon and then when I was married and before children. But it’s since having children that it’s become important to me. I really feel cheated if we can’t get at least three trips in each summer. We’re off to a pretty good start this year.
I may not be handy with a verse, but I can take lots of pictures to share.


