I love to camp and it has been a year since we have been able to get out into the great outdoors. Finally, this weekend we were able to go. We brought along my parents and my sister and 3 of her daughters.
We went to Capitol Reef National Park (http://www.nps.gov/care/index.htm). Now, I debated on sharing that information as I don't want to share this little bit of heaven with anyone. However, if you promise not to take my camp spot, then I say, "Go check this place out! You won't be disappointed!"
We left late Friday morning and drove about 3 1/2 hours to get there (we did stop for lunch). When we got to the campground (which is set among orchards that were planted by the pioneers) it was full. We were debating on driving down the Notom road and find a primitive place to set up just for the night, but then we saw the handicapped spot was available. As my father just had knee replacement surgery, he has a temporary handicap parking permit (yea dad!) We set up our trailer for my parents, set up the Springbar (what else?!...http://www.kirkhams.com/) tent for us, and another tent for my sister and her daughters. It normally costs $10 a night to camp in the campground, but my father had his golden eagle pass so the campsite was only $5 a night (yea dad, again!!)
I made dinner (chili dogs/ hot dogs..depending on your preference) and waited for my sister to arrive. Once she showed up, we made s'mores and went to bed.
Saturday morning, I made pancakes for breakfast (using Bisquick Shake N' Pour..what campers did before this product is beyond me..it makes it so easy and clean up is quick).
We headed off to see the Gifford House and gift shop where we tried some wonderful apricot preserves, bought some homemade ice cream, and a book (I know you're not surprised by that last purchase!)
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| The American Frugal Housewife printed in 1833! |
We then went over to the visitor's center where more purchases were made, Junior Ranger patches that the children had earned the last time we were there, and 3 stuffed raccoon toys.
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| Junior Ranger Patch |
We then went over to the petroglyph walk which is a very easy walk along the river bank. As you walk along boardwalk you can see ancient petroglyph drawing from the native americans that lived in the area. It is amazing to see so many of them are still clearly etched into the sandstone. We drove down the road to see the 1 room school house that operated there into the 1940's and then the Behunin cabin that housed a family of 10.
As my mom and dad were not able to go on a hike, we decided to drive along the scenic byway, where we forded a river and stopped to let the kids wade in and play for a while. We came back to camp for lunch and then I and my family and my sister and her kids all piled into our SUV and decided to take the road up to the Lower South Desert Overlook, Bentonite Hills, and Temple of the Sun. We had a great time, and it fulfilled my husband's need for some 4-wheeling. 
Bentonite Hills
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| Lower South Desert Overlook |
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| Lower South Desert Overlook |
We came back to camp, had spaghetti for dinner, made banana boats and s'mores and then off to bed.
Sunday, we woke to find that a little woodland creature had visited our camp in the night. He had eaten some of my sister's hot dogs that we had accidentally left out. We could still see his paw prints in the dirt and decided that he was, most definitely, a raccoon.
We had eggs and bacon for breakfast which I made while my husband broke down the tents and cleaned up the camp spot. We made one more stop at the Gifford house and visitor's center and then headed home.
We didn't get to spend as much time as we normally like to, but it was fun and we will be back next year.
1 banana 
mini marshmallows
rolos or caramellows
tin foil
Cut a slice down the peel of the banana, slightly pull the peel open and create pockets on either side of the banana. Stuff any space between the banana and the peel with mini marshmallows and rolos. double wrap the whole banana in tin foil and place into the hot coals of the campfire. Wait about 10 minutes, pull from the fire, unwrap, grab a spoon, and enjoy the heavenly, gooey, goodness!
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