Lest you think I’ve just been slacking on my blog over the last week, I should tell you that I finally took some time off to enjoy a week of tent camping with my family and dear friends. We camped on one family’s gold mining claim along the Hopkins Creek, a tributary to the Feather River in the Sierra Mountains of Northern California. Complete bliss. Also referred to as Quincy. Though this was only my second Quincy camping trip (first about 25 years ago,) most of the families have been going annually for 30 years. My husband has taken our kids there every summer since they were tots.
I wanted to share a few shots from the trip- and to reward you for sitting through my vacation photos, a free digital download is awaiting you at the end!
Reclined in a camp chair, I read along the creek’s bank to the sound of rushing water. A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers was my book of choice for the week.
Does anything taste better than camp coffee in the morning? I don’t think so.
We 4-wheel climbed up a very treacherous mountain road only to find a favorite swimming hole had all but dried up.
Nelson Creek, another favorite swimming, bathing and fishing hole, was a pure oasis, and a hike I’ll not soon forget.
Breakfasts and dinners are scheduled and divided up among the families. My husband is an incredible cast iron chef. He made Biscuits & Gravy, Chicken Pot Pie, Mexican Lasagna, Pulled Pork w/Polenta, Apple Pie and Blackberry Crisp. Heavenly.
This was Charlotte’s first camping experience. No stick was safe.
God’s beauty was in all things everywhere.
Friendship anklets were crafted.
I brought along my Sharpies for camp tattoos (see more Sharpie tattoos here.) The teenage girls requested matching script.
A henna hand…
and a half sleeve.
This beautiful serving table flower arrangement was picked by camper Lisa.
Fly fishing is the camp sport at Quincy.
My son and friend fished up and down the creek for miles and miles on most days.
This was a rare sighting of our dogs not running around, (photo taken by my daughter, Jamie.) Quincy is a 24-hour playground for pups.
Though we all camped in standard issue Coleman-style shelters, in keeping with the tent theme, here are some sweet vintage illustrations for you to enjoy. Click on the image below for a FREE PDF file of clip art (c.1920) and a rustic wood typeface (c. 1880) from my antique book library.