CrabTobHux Camping 08

Last year we were invited to be a part of a new tradition of camping out the first weekend after school is over with the Huxford and Tobler families in beautiful Eagle Valley, NV at the Horsethief Gulch campground. We Crabtree's have never considered ourselves to be the camping types. But we survived the first year due to the camping preparedness of the Tob's and Hux's. This year we actually had our own tent and large ice chest. Wooo hooo! Zachary and Raegan had a blast the first time and insisted we join the fun again this year. Because of my wacky schedule and prior commitments we didn't think we would make it. But circumstances changed and bumbled around and the weekend freed up. I suppose you could say we were meant to go.

We arrived Friday afternoon and set up camp. The Huxford's hitched up a trailer and so graciously added our gear to theirs, as the old Taurus could in no way handle the load we needed to make it through the weekend. So the kids biked around the campground and the lake and hiked up and down the valley we were in. The Tobler's walkie talkies were not only great for safety but also fun for adventurous imagination games. We ended the night with a dinner of burgers and dogs, an awesome dutch oven cobbler, campfire songs by Bill, Claire, Rachelle and Andy (heard by the entire campground) and not to mention roasted marshmallows.Saturday was spent biking, fishing, hiking, playing board games, relaxing with a book and kayaking. We ate like camping royalty, thanks to the talents of Rachelle and Amy. They planned some amazing feasts, Mike said he had never eaten so much food on a camping trip in his lifetime. I am so spoiled now I'm not so sure I would ever be able to camp without them.On our last day, there were final attempts to catch fish. The Huxford's scored big all except for Bleu who only caught a dirty sock. But hey, socks are harder to catch than fish, right?? Even with great looking casts and biting bait, we managed to only catch lake weeds :-( Maybe next time. Raegan did catch a ladybug and she didn't even need a pole! On our way home we stopped at Cathedral Gorge to take a group picture and explore the caves and crevases and climb the crags. Its a very unique place and the kids love it.We want to extend a heartfelt thank you and much appreciation to our good friends who are more like family, the Huxfords and the Toblers, for all of their help, understanding and support on the camping trip. We love you guys!!