a camping we will go

Turns out, I've made some incredible friends in the past two years.  Sometimes it takes a little breathing room away from the stress to realize it, but man I've met some great folks!  A few weekends ago JP and I went on a hiking camping adventure on Tumbledown Mountain with six friends, three of whom slogged through school with me and three of whom slogged through the slogging by their sides.  It was perfect timing, just a day or so after we had all officially passed our boards, and we all were just itching for some time in the great outdoors, relaxation, exercise and good company.

Our campsite overlooking this lovely lake.  Some of us braved the cold water and went swimming.  It was so cold, but so refreshing after the climb.  Have I told you lately how much I love swimming?

The men folk went fly fishing (successfully!), whilst the women folk horsed around and generally enjoyed the relief of being on real life vacation for the first time in two years.

A friendly Americorps worker camped near us and made sure no one built a bonfire.  We made due with a camp stove, even roasting smores over the tiny flames.

Oliver came with us, and had exhausted himself through and through by the time we reached the top.  He likes to run back and forth on the trail, and probably hiked about five times what we did.  Unfortunately his paws were so unaccustomed to the rough terrain that he tore up his pads and was limping by the next morning.  We took turns carrying him down the mountain when we got more level ground.  Poor little excited boy!  Don't worry though, he has since recovered completely and is probably just ready and waiting for the next adventure, painful memories erased.