Ayla's First Camping Trip

Yes, we were brave & decided it was time to take our 3 month old baby camping for the first time. Since we went to Tahoe last weekend, we chose to head over to the coast to give Ayla her first ocean experience. We stayed in the little town of Olema, on the Point Reyes National Seashore, just north of San Francisco and the epicenter of the 1906 earthquake.

She did really well on the car ride there, just stopping once to eat at a vista point along the way. Once there we set up camp & took a small walk into town...

She enjoyed the walk so much, we didn't have the heart to wake her... so we just went about the business of relaxing at the campsite! That night she slept so well! The other campers would never have known we had a baby with us had they not seen her with their own eyes! She was so good & quiet! Truly she was in her element! WE WERE AMAZED!






The next day we decided to have picnic at the cheese factory. Ayla got to see the geese at the pond for the first time & watch Ma & Pa chow down!









We enjoyed some lovely blue & breakfast cheese along with salami & an extra sourdough baguette with a delicious Sauvignon Blanc... mmmmmmmmm!









Ayla enjoyed some fingers!













After lunch we drove down to Stinson Beach to give Ayla her first view (and feel) of the ocean.












This picture cracks me up! Notice the "Yeah, So?" expression on Ayla's face... I mean, really? What's the big deal? Water, sand, waves... BORING!

Soon enough though, she showed how she really felt about her beach experience!
The shirt says it all!

This beach stuff is pretty cool!

Here's the happy camper that night.

The next day we broke down camp & headed over to the Bear Valley Visitor's Center. We decided to go on a hike out to Arch Rock... An 8 MILE HIKE! Seemed like a good idea to us, but who knew how the baby felt about it? Well, it turns out Ayla could not have been more thrilled! SHE LOVED IT! We did not hear one squeak from her unless she was hungry. She just hung out in her stroller watching the scenery...
The trail was mostly flat, which was good! So we could maneuver the stroller easily. It wound through dark, lush forested areas. It was so dark that our gear showed off it's safety features when the camera flashed!

Here's Ayla, once again in her element!

The trail changed quite a bit as we approached Arch Rock. We were off roading for sure!

Here's our payoff at the end of the trail!
Worth it? I think so!

One camping trip down... about 50,000 more to go! We were absolutely shocked & amazed by how well Ayla did! In fact when we got home she all of a sudden became very fussy... something we did not see at all while camping! I think we may have to move to the backyard & use the house for storage! We feel so fortunate to show Ayla the world around her & make memories together as a family!