We just had the best camping trip ever. I mean ever. Grandpa Carpenter decided that he and Grandma were going to take their family fishing. Grandpa planned everything. We traveled 7 hours to Bishop California, just 15 minute south of Mammoth. It might as well been on another planet as it was so beautiful there. We camped at Brown's Owen River Campgrounds. The camp was flat and grassy surrounded by mountains, we had fishing just 50 yards from our tents.
I have never eaten so well on a camp out. Foil diners? I don't think so. Grandpa is an expert dutch oven chef. We had tender corned beef brisket Saturday night and melt in your mouth beef roast Sunday night.
Friday and Saturday were our fishing days. Here is the place were I will boast about being the first one to catch a fish! It was so fun! What was more fun (for me at least) was putting another worm on the hook and catching the second one just 10 minutes later! Whoo Hoo! In fact, those were the only fish caught Friday. Saturday was another story. We got up early the next morning, skipped breakfast, got our poles ready and headed across the grassy meadow to throw our lines in.
Grandpa was a great tutor. He gave each of the kids casting lessons and it must have worked because Rilyn caught the first fish of the day. Soon enough the family was smiling big as they reeled in those flippy-floppy brown trout! All in all, we caught 11 trout. Strangely enough they were pulled out of the same spot in the river. We named our fishing hole, "Carpenter's Bend". A highlight in everyone's memory was Grandpa gutting a fish, showing everyone that it was a female fish because was full of "Roe" (eggs) then promptly put them in his mouth and ate them. I thought Caitlin would puke on the spot. Nevertheless, everyone enjoyed the fishing experience, even Brittan who is not fond of fish, was a good sport . She said she was fishing just to "practice her casting". When she hooked two fish during her "practicing" while reeling them in, she would apologize to the fish and refuse to touch it after that. By the way, she caught the biggest fish of all. (Of course.)
Inbetween times, the kids had squirt gun battles, threw a Frisbee and football and played card games,(legal ones)and ate. we made many visits to the "hungry tent" it was well stalked full of wonderful things you don't feel guilty eating because you're camping.
Another activity was Brittan practicing her driving around the camp grounds, in grandma's car. Not to be out done, Teagan had her fair share of driving around camp as well. She's a good driver even though she's twelve.
Each night before bed and after the evening clean up, grandpa made a fire and we gathered around for our nightly devotional. We shared a spiritual thought, sang camp songs, played games and made treats. Sunday we organized a quasi church meeting with hymns, talks and discussion about gospel principles. It was cool.
We were about 15 minutes from Mammoth so we took the quick trip up and loved the amazing beauty there. We hiked trails, saw Devils Post Pile and drank from a delicious soda spring we discovered bubbling up next to the river. It was a great adventure for all of us.
I could go on and on but I won't.
Did I mention this was the best camping trip ever?
Here are some pictures.
