Back In The Camper

A sure sign that you will have a good time when you hit the road to go camping is how much food you have packed into the refrigerator and cupboards. We were busting the seams at the start of this adventure, and all was well. Our four-night adventure connected us with the Andersons once again. This time we were heading up the St. Joe River to one of our favorite Forest Service Campgrounds, Huckleberry.

The drive up to this area took us East on US-90 over 4th of July Pass and then south through the chain lakes area winding along to just outside of St. Maries. We then turned and started following the St. Joe River up to our campsite. 

We set up our camper and enjoyed the sun while waiting for Rayelle, Mike, Julia, and her boyfriend, Joel, to arrive. 

We chatted and had snacks once Mike and Rayelle arrived (Julia and Joel were coming on Friday). I noticed robins scouring the grounds around camp picking up worms and bugs. They would run under our truck and disappear so I followed them and discovered a nest. In the nest were four hungry baby robins. We watched the parents gather insects the entire time we were camped. Those adult birds were busy all day making trip after trip to feed the growing babies. They never stopped collecting. It was amazing to watch.

Linda and I played shuttle driver on Friday and Saturday for the thrill seekers who floated several miles of the river on innertubes.

On the trail from Anderson's campsite to the river, Mike spotted a Yellow Jacket nest hanging above the trail. The nest was in the perfect spot attached to a branch just above your head as you descended to the beach level. It was not noticeable because to get to the beach you had to walk down a small step or two. Your attention was on the ground because of the incline and thus we didn't see the danger the first several times we walked the trail.

As usual, we had a really fun time. We talked and laughed a lot. We played cards and made s'mores over a campfire. We read, cooled off in the river, ate yummy food, and enjoyed some happy hours (it's always 5 o'clock somewhere). Thanks, Andersons, for another fun adventure.