Wednesday, November 12, 2014

where it all began

After a quick review of the weather, we realized that winter was fast approaching. If we had any hope of fitting in that camping trip we had been dreaming of then, the time was now. We only had a two day window before the temperatures would plummet. 

Bearing that in mind, we piled basically everything we own into the car (seriously, camping with wild ones- you may as well just rent a uhaul for all the gear that must come along) staggered our way out the door, with eyes and hearts set on the Buffalo River.






The fall colors were incredible- bright bold oranges, mustard yellows, elegant golds, with flawless pops of crimson. Nestled in between the bluffs were wide open pastures filled with thick green grass. Honestly, the sights were something to behold.




We hiked and explored trails, caves and one immense bluff til our noses turned rosy, our fingers began to stiffen and we could finally see our breath coming out in full white puffs, like smoke billowing across the evening.


Kaleb and I got engaged in this same spot near ten years to the day, and being back with four kids in tow, was a little wild and whole heap surreal. It was a sweet feeling to be back there and to feel so happy, so firmly settled in who I am and who we are. 

Big bonus, we got to see a herd of wild elk both nights! We sat on the bank of the road and observed- everyone utterly transfixed- except for Eleanor, who was scrambling out of our reach, yelling "Bobby, Bobby!" It's the name of our cat, so it seems to be what she calls all animals. . . and babies:)



After literally no sleep in the tent the night before, everyone was starting to feel a little weary, and our little miss would simply not settle down. She normally loves riding in her backpack, but she would have none of it. So our last hike, ended with me holding her as she poked and prodded my little cheekies for a few long miles. 

After finally arriving to the car, our sweet Zaino began to look a little pale, and as quick as that, he was spewing everywhere. We decided we had seen and done what we had come to see and do, and it was time to pack it in and head for home.




It all makes for better stories, and let's face it, we won't be forgetting this one! Chatting around the campfire as we roasted marshmallows and drank bad hot chocolate, sleeping in a piled heap of blankets, arms, legs, hats and jackets, sitting next to the trailhead cleaning up my Zain with the Eleanor's wails echoing around us, hiking with a baby on my hip whilst holding my sons chubby little mitt in the other, surrounded by the beauty that is nature. Somehow it all combined into the most wonderful of days, like it had all come full circle. 

26 comments :

  1. Looks like an amazing trip!!!
    Melanie @ meandmr.com

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  2. Beautiful post. Amazing photos. [Love the photo of you and hubby!]....beautiful writing, "We hiked and explored trails, caves and one immense bluff til our noses turned rosy"...perfect!

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  3. That sounds so wonderful! We were unable to fit in a fall camping trip this year, so I'm living vicariously through yours! :)

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  4. wow, you are so incredibly pretty:)
    I thought you have just one baby ;)
    Great pics as usual. Need to learn from ya!

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    1. Nope four crazy little bugs, all the light of my life:)

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  5. Beautiful photos, so jealous of the colors on the trees! Your kiddos are too cute!

    Jessica
    the.pyreflies.org

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  6. What a gorgeous family you are - beautiful photos, you capture everything beautifully!!!

    Really inspirational the way you write, it's actually like I'm there with you on this journey…..

    All my love to you and your family! :)

    Layla xx

    www.sprinklesofstyle.co.uk

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  7. Looks like fun, even if it ended with a bit of excitement!! And I LOVE your shoes! Where did you get those? I want a pair!! You have the sweetest little family!! And truly, your photos are gorgeous!!

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    1. Thanks! Yes these are the best and my most favorite shoes I have ever owned. They are Jeffrey Cambell fringeless moccasins, from free people:) a tad pricey but they have been worth every penny!

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  8. Thanks for taking us all along on your camping trip. Hope Zain recovered quickly and others did not follow...

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    1. Thanks- so far it's stopped at him, but there's a while whip cream and hot cocoa fiasco I blame for this:)

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  9. Amazing! I love that you can now bring you children back to the spot where you were engaged. It's a great story! x

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  10. I love this story! What a beautiful place and what a beautiful family! I wish I was more of an outdoorsy type, I often feel like I miss out on the great experiences of camping. But then I camp...and then there's bugs. Such a city girl haha!

    xo

    Michaela

    http://michaelajeanblog.com

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  11. Gorgeous setting and family! How special it is that you can take your kids to a place that has such lovely meaning to your relationship with your husband. <3

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  12. What beautiful stories and memories this place has for you. As always, amazing photos. I need to know your secret to taking great family photos with a toddler! Mine is always running off before I can hit the remote shutter!

    V
    Life+1

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  13. Wow. Wow wow wow. Definitely one of my favourite posts of yours. The colours are phenomenal, as is the lighting, as is the whole shebang! What a gorgeous experience and a great adventure for the kids. You are stunning too, by the way! Your hair... Woah.. Amazing. Absolutely loved this post and I'm so glad you do things like camping trips with your family. For kids that is golden memories galore!

    xx

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  14. So glad you guys got to go camping, even if it was for a short period of time. It's so lovely there! Gosh, if I had a place like that to go I just might camp and I'm not an outdoorsy girl.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  15. I loved reading this post, how it progressed as a story, and how sweet that you two got engaged in that spot and brought your kiddies back!

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  16. these photos are beautiful! love the colors of the leaves. and wow 10 years ago! so sweet! wish you two the best!

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  17. Wow gorgeous pics - love the views! Hiking at this time of year is just so fun!

    - Sarah :)
    www.thecrownbijoux.blogspot.com

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  18. What beautiful pictures! It looks like the perfect place to camp (and get engaged) and has me a little jealous that we didn't go this year. Such fun memories for your kiddos to have!

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  19. Oh camping is sometimes difficult with children... but it gives so many good memories...as you say! I love your photos...

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  20. Awww! Such a beautiful post with equally beautiful pictures! Love reading about the memories made. And Love love love your blog!

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  21. Looks like an amazing camping trip, glad you were able to squeeze it in before the weather changed.

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  22. All of this is beautiful. Photos, words, family. :) We haven't been camping in so long, I really want to go before the rain starts up for winter.

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  23. What a beautiful trip. Not having kiddos of my own yet it is so hard to imagine doing anything with a kid. It just seems so much more difficult. I am sure in a way that is worth it when the time is right! :) It is so wonderful that you and your husband are creating such sweet memories for your family. XO -Alexandra

    Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things

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