Larrabee State Park

Over the weekend of May 5-7, Jim and I took a trip up North to Larrabee State Park with our new friends, Mike and Marcie. We stayed at a walk-in site, where you park your car about 400 yards from the campsite. The thought was that it would prepare us for the hike-ins that we plan on attempting this summer. We have since realized that isn't the best idea, but I'll get to that later.

We got to the park on Friday night, which was spent setting up camp. We carried everything from the car the 400 yards to the campsite, not really bothering to think ahead to what we actually needed. We set up the tents, got wood, started a fire, ate, and saw a few raccoons that were getting a little too close for comfort. We had food at the site that we needed to take back to the car to keep it safe. We walked the 400 yards back to the car with a cooler, box of cooking supplies, and more food. This was one of at least half a dozen trips that were made, never once thinking ahead enough to just grab what was needed. We're smart kids, I know!

We woke up Saturday morning and finished breakfast. It, of course, was raining a bit, so we all hoped in the car and drove to a nearby town. I can't remember the name of the town, but it sure was cute! We all got drinks (much needed caffine) at a cafe that was obviously obsessed with cattle. Strange, but still cute. Marcie and I saw a shoe store across the street from the cafe, and ran in. Marcie spent some time looking at running shoes, during which time I was VERY tempted to buy. I forced myself to be good and only left with a $15 hat!!

After wandering around a bit more, we headed back to camp to hop on our bikes and take a ride! We were pretty excited since it was our first time getting out on our new bikes other than just the small park across from our apartment! The ride started off great for us beginners. The trail was wide, fairly flat and covered in gravel, which was good since it had been raining all morning. After a few miles, it got a bit more trecherous. The wide gravel trail turned into a narrow, windy, hilly, muddy, and root covered trail with random rocks jutting out! Despite the change, Jim and I were enjoying it and actually doing fairly well. At first, we walked the bikes during the worst parts, which were often! But we quickly got more and more daring. Being the accident prone one, I was taking a few falls, but nothing too messy. After at least my 6th tumble, this time down a small hill, I was getting a little frustrated. No one else was falling!! Why am I always the one to look like an uncoordinated dork? I got up and laughed it off. " I made some comment like, "I'm making up for everyone else not falling!!"

Here comes the highlight of the trip..... Not a minute later, as we were riding along a narrow, rockky bumpy section of the path, Jim started to wobble. He slowed down, balanced on top of his bike, and in horribly slow motion, he fell. Did I mention that the path ran right next to a pond filled with smelly stagnant water? He fell about 3 feet down a steep, muddy hill into a shallow pond, bringing his new, shiny bike down with him. Trying to be a good future wife, I asked if he was alright, helped him out, grabbed his bike out, and attempted to hold in the laughter for as long as I could. I'm not going to lie, though; that wasn't a long time!! Luckily, Jim took the awful situation in stride.

We were also probably about 6 miles from the camp site, and it was about 50 degrees out. We all road back, Jim covered in mud and everyone sort of laughing as they passed us. The whole time, all I was thinking was how badly I wanted to snap a picture of him laying in the pond, all decked out in his cool mountain bike clothes from REI. Good thing I didn't because I don't think he would have been too happy with me!

Back at camp, Jim took a shower, which actually seemed to be a worse experience than the mud bath! He hopped in for a 6 minute shower (costing a mere $1). The water started off ice cold. When he finally convinced himself to step under the water, it turned scalding hot. All in all, a traumatic day for poor Jimbo!

After all of the drama, we all sat around the campfire, ate hotdogs, potato salad and s'mores, and had a few beers. A good end to a hilarious day!!

The camping trip ended with a quick breakfast, packing up the tents in a slight drizzle, and tossing everything in the car just in time for the rain to pick up!

All in all, a fabulous camping trip! We can't wait for the next one!

More pics!