Summer: a first family camping trip

Summer: a first family camping trip

In the days before children, my husband and I used to go camping often. We loved it. Spending the day outside, cooking simple food, watching the sun set and waking with the dawn. A true escape from our busy lives.

Then the kids came along, we got even busier and despite having invested in a great family tent (to replace our two-man!) we never made it camping as a family.

Until last week!

Our excuses were varied and multiple; it might rain (which in Scotland was generally the case, to be fair), the 9yo was too young, the 6yo was too young, then the wee girl was too young (!), we were busy, it was too cold, it was too hot (which in Boston, is also a consideration!)…

But, a few weeks ago a friend (whose children are friends with our kids) suggested heading down to Cape Cod to camp for a few days, and we jumped at the chance to take our first family camping trip.

We have never been to Cape Cod, but it’s been on our list of must-dos for a long time, and was in fact on our summer bucket list. As was camping :)

We wanted to make the most of our two nights away, so left early on Tuesday morning, deciding to stop half way, in Plymouth. Having stopped for breakfast at an iHop just outside town (pancakes for breakfast being a holiday must) we were greeted by this wonderful view of the harbour when we arrived in Plymouth.

Camping 1

Arriving by 9am meant that parking in the centre of town was easy; it was rather busier when we left two hours later! Plymouth was well worth a stop and after visiting the Mayflower 2 and Plymouth Rock (blog post to follow) we were glad that we’d chosen to stop there.

Knowing that we couldn’t check in to our campsite until after lunch, and that our friends were planning to arrive mid-afternoon, we decided to drive to Hyannis and have lunch with one of my husband’s nieces who has been working there for the summer. Hyannis is really pretty (what we saw of it anyway!), with a wonderful high street full of lovely restaurants and cafes and lots of unique gift shops. Lunch was great, in a fabulously American diner :)

Camping 2

Suitably refreshed, we headed for the campsite, Sweetwater Forest Camping Ground in Brewster, arriving just after our friends.

Helping daddy put up the tent was the 9yo’s job, having practiced the weekend before.

Camping 3

The wee girl was thrilled to discover that she had a bedroom all to herself.

Camping 4

The first evening was spent investigating the nearby lake (literally a minute from our pitch) and it was beautiful. The sun was setting and it was just perfect.

Camping 5

Camping 6

We threw stones into the water (although stopped that when a stray rock thrown by the 6yo connected with the 9yo’s head) and played in the adjacent park. As we walked back to our site to have dinner, we watched as two kayaks were launched in to the lake.

Camping 7

Camping 8

A dinner of pasta was wolfed down and the kids happily went to sleep, with out a peep. And they let us sleep until 7am!

The next day we decided to take it easy in the morning, and after breakfast (where my husband jokingly laid out a full place setting for me!) we went to investigate the rest of the campground and the mini golf. Always a hit with our lot, and their friends! Another playground took up the rest of the morning before a picnic lunch back at our tents.

Camping 9

Camping 10

Camping 11

After lunch we took our new canoe for a test run… which probably requires a little background! My husband has been looking at second hand canoes for a while, and to be honest, I didn’t take it all that seriously. I mean, we were busy enough, when on earth were we going to fit in using a canoe? Anyway, a few days before we left he told me that he’d found one on Craigslist and we were picking it up on our way to the campsite!

I have to admit I was still pretty skeptical about the whole thing, and then we took it out on the lake. All was forgiven. It was amazing, so calm and peaceful, surrounded by water and a beautiful view. Fabulous. The kids loved it too.

Camping 12

Camping 13

Camping 14

To finish off our day, we headed to one of the nearby beaches (although my husband had to stay behind to deal with our flat battery…). Asking for recommendations at the campsite Reception, we were guided towards the ‘bayside’ beaches in Brewster, and found ourselves on Saint’s Landing beach. If I hadn’t already fallen in love with Cape Cod, this was the clincher.

It was late afternoon, the beaches were getting quieter and the view as we arrived took my breath away.

Camping 16

We spent an amazing couple of hours swimming in the beautiful clear water (blog post to follow) and this was the view as we left.

Camping 17

Back to the campsite and a dinner of hot dogs, beans and scrambled eggs, followed by s’mores (Graham cracker sandwiches filled with toasted marshmallows and chocolate) made over our campfire, finished off a truly wonderful day.

Again, the kids went straight to bed, exhausted and happy, and slept until 7am!

The next day we packed up and then, again on the recommendation of Reception, drove to East Dennis to the Sesuit Harbor Cafe.

Wow. Amazing food, amazing views. A perfect end to our holiday.

Camping 18

Camping 19

Camping 20

We watched the boats coming and going, saw jet skis come back from a spin around the harbour and watched boats laden with huge fishing rods heading out for the afternoon. White sand, turquoise water and a deep blue sky. We couldn’t have asked for a better day.

We took a short walk along the beach before setting off for home, and our friend took a rare photo of my husband and I together.

Camping 21

After a last look out over the sea we started the (long!) drive back.

Camping 22

I now understand why so many people holiday on the Cape!

But, best of all, the kids absolutely loved camping. So, weekends away in a tent are back on the agenda :) Although my ageing hips can no longer cope with just our super lightweight thermarests, new sleeping mats required before our next trip!
 

I’m linking up with the wonderful Country Kids at Coombe Mill, as always. Click on the badge to see what everyone else has been up to and be inspired to get outside!

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

 

 photo 4d06e438-4e6a-4f3b-88b2-0c1093350397_zps361ad0e9.jpg       Monkey and Mouse

 

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46 thoughts on “Summer: a first family camping trip”

  1. Looks like you picked the perfect weekend to go camping, the water looked crystal clear. we love camping we haven’t been for a couple of years though.

  2. What an amazing weekend you all had and that canoe ride sounds blissful. Your photos are so beautiful – what a stunning place to spend a weekend. Glad you had such a wonderful time and looking forward to reading more about your visit to the Mayflower 2 and Plymouth Rock.

  3. Yeh! Bet it’s the first of many camping trips. It looks like a fabulous location. We’ve been looking into getting a canoe, now they can all swim. Seeing yours makes me even more determined. Although it could have something to do with all that blue sky and blue sea. Perfect. #CountryKids

  4. Absolutely gorgeous. Just so beautiful. I’ve never been a camping person, but looking at these pictures, I would like to be :) Waking up in a location like that, so close to the beach and nature… Ah, just lovely :) #countrykids

    1. mumturnedmom

      I never expected to like camping, then my husband persuaded me to give it a go and I love it. I will admit that I’m a fair weather camper though :)

  5. Looks stunning. Great for a first camping trip with the family.

    I was the same with my thermarest. Painful back the next morning. Guess it’s a proper campbed or airbed next time!

  6. What a beautiful place to go camping, there’s so many picturesque views! The kids look so excited in every picture, it’s great that they finally got to go on a family camping trip. There’s so much to do on the campsite alone it’s amazing you managed to drag yourselves away to explore the beaches and cafes surrounding it. Thanks for linking up with me on Country Kids.

  7. What a fantastic trip you had…and a camping success!! Hurrah. Your tent looks amazing! I’ve been to Cape Cod a couple of times but never seen it in this light. That lake is stunning! Fab pics. So glad you had a fun time. The canoe sounds like an inspired purchase! I have no idea how you packed all that up and into a vehicle – it must have been a big one! #countrykids

  8. Now, I could cope with camping if the weather was like that-it looks wonderful. Such a lovely part of the world too-we have family at the Cape and I’d love to show the children around sometime. I’m so glad you enjoyed yourselves-and I’m in total agreement about your approach re camping before this trip :) xx

  9. Camping is so great, I’m pleased you all had such a lovely time and it’ll hopefully become a regular thing. You learn so much about your family that you wouldn’t learn at home or in a hotel :) x

  10. It looks so good and like you had the best time. I’ve never been one for camping but I do like to read about others camping adventures. People always say they feel like something has been reset which sounds like a very good feeling!

  11. Looks like you had a fabulous time camping, the site looks amazing. We went camping this weekend too – despite the rainy forecast. There is something nice about camping with the kiddies in the fresh air. I think its an adventure for them. :)

    Love the mug shot btw haha – pardon the pun!

    Sonia :) x

    1. mumturnedmom

      There really is something wonderful about it, and the kids definitely think it’s an adventure x

  12. Sounds like the perfect trip! The photos are lovely. My husband has ruled out camping (too many bad camping memories from chidhood) but I would so give it a go. Definitely invest in a good mattress for you!
    #CountryKids

  13. Looks amazing! What a lovely first camping trip in a beautiful place. We used to camp, before children and are starting to think about giving it a try again. I think children love the simplicity of camping and the basic fun you can have connecting with nature.
    Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids

  14. Such a lovely post Sara and great pictures. It looks like your first camping trip was a huge success. I love family camping as the kids are always so happy to be in the outdoors. I think they get such a sense of freedom and of course the fresh air helps them sleep! xx

  15. Wow! That’s an amazing place to visit! I have heard of Cape Cod, but never knew what to expect, but it just looks like the perfect place for a family holiday and for camping. I love your photos, the kids look so happy. Hope you have many more lovely camping trips.
    Thanks for linking up to #Whatevertheweather :) x

  16. When I saw Plymouth I immediately thought you were in the UK. But this place is so much more beautiful than our Plymouth. What a perfect holiday and I’m glad the craigs list canoe worked out!! What a beautiful way to spend the day. It looks so peaceful and your photos look gorgeous! It’s so cute that your daughter was thrilled to have her own room and that they let you sleep in till 7. I see so many people say that their kids seem to sleep for longer when they’re camping. I think I might need to take note and take my daughter camping. Thank you so much for linking to #whatevertheweather x

  17. Pingback: Let kids be kids linky 8/9/15 - Let Kids Be Kids | Let Kids Be Kids

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