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For The Love of Winter
February 11, 2011
I know some of you are celebrating the arrival of spring where you live - daffodils, tree blossoms and other signs of new life. We are firmly entrenched in winter and I intend to make the most of it, that is until my winter weary soul cries "truce" in another month or so (March is historically difficult for me).
This is a post dedicated to the "fabulousness" of a winter camping weekend shared with friends and family at a rustic cabin in the Maine woods (near the ocean no less).
Does it get any better than this?
No. It does not.
I apologize for the copious quantity of photos in this post. It's kind of like my Christmas re-cap. How can you limit such goodness and fun to just a few photos? You can't.
So sorry if you have a slow internet connection or trouble viewing the post because of all the photos. For a more modest quantity of photos check our family adventure blog later this weekend. There's still more photos to share but Damien's limit is seven. Humph.
What struck me most about this most recent trip to the woods is how natural and relaxed it felt to me. No stress, or large hullabaloo in getting ready. We go to woods so often now that packing up has become routine.
We spent the weekend with two other families and my parents. All together six children (6 mos, 4, 6, 8, 9 & 11) and eight adults spanning three generations. We shared bunks and stone floors for sleeping, took turns cooking meals and doing dishes, did a lot of walking, talking and playing together.
It was simply wonderful. The kids think it was the best winter camping trip so far.
Our friends, the K. family, brought x-country skis, snowshoes, and sleds. We had our Mad River Rockets and all together we had a great time enjoying the thigh deep snow on the mountain. It was magical and memorable. I don't remember the last time I had so much fun playing in the snow.
It was the best that winter has to offer - snow, outdoor activity, beauty, family, friends, good food, and a wood burning stove.
Many thanks to our friends who joined us in the adventure. The Siffermans and K. family. Thank you for your part in making this our best winter camping yet.
Filed Under
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Wendy on Feb. 11, 2011, 8:20 p.m.
What a wonderful experience! Your photo of the baby is beautiful!
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Megan on Feb. 11, 2011, 8:26 p.m.
Renee, I love reading about your annual trek to this cabin. Would you mind sharing the contact info about it with a fellow Mainer? I think we need a little nature-filled getaway... thanks! :o)
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renee on Feb. 11, 2011, 9:27 p.m.
Megan,
I don't mind sharing at all! The shelter is found at Camden Hills State Park. I don't know why, but the shelter is not listed under Services & Facilities. It must be reserved in advance for overnight stay and costs 3.21/person/night. Cheap. You must walk, ski or snowmobile in on a multipurpose trail.
I suggest phoning the park re: reservations.
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Hillary on Feb. 12, 2011, 1:57 a.m.
I am so inspired!
We used to do more stuff like this before we had kids. I've only ever gone winter camping once, but it was so fun. You have my wheels turning. What would it take to get us to a place to do something like this? These past few years we can barely go grocery shopping, but I can see how we can start moving towards more outdoor adventure goals.
Thanks so much for the inspiration!
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John Sifferman on Feb. 12, 2011, 1:36 p.m.
This was hands-down the most fun we've ever had camping as a family - thank you for inviting us. We can't wait til next year :D
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renee on Feb. 12, 2011, 1:38 p.m.
I'll be sending a bunch of photos your way John.
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tara on Feb. 12, 2011, 5:48 p.m.
Wonderful photos -- don't apologize for the amount of photos. Maybe you can carry the feelings from this weekend through March with you. It's been bitterly cold all week here and I have to admit that yesterday I was wishing for spring. But today it's beautiful. A walk outdoors has confirmed winter's beauty for m again.
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Naomi Kilbreth on Feb. 12, 2011, 6:59 p.m.
Looks like you guys had a blast! So glad you had sunny weather to enjoy it in :0) And that baby is adorable!! Great pictures, they're lovely.
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bethany on Feb. 13, 2011, 12:59 a.m.
oh that looks fabulous, haven't winter camped but now it's on my list ... and don't apologize for photos like that, no matter now many!
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Andrea on Feb. 13, 2011, 10:37 a.m.
I, for one, enjoyed the abundance of pictures! That looks just fabulous! Mad River Rockets live here, too, of course! Thanks for the reminder that winter is for playing and having fun, just as much as summer:-)
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Jen Titus on Feb. 25, 2011, 6:47 p.m.
Renee,
Where did you get your kids backpacks? I really like them and need to get a few. Any pointers in brand, size, etc would be appreciated. I just found your blog off of a link to Simple Mom and I love love love it!
Thank you for taking the time to post about family, hiking, whole foods, just everything!!
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renee on Feb. 25, 2011, 10:46 p.m.
We bought the smallest size women's packs from GoLite. But I'm sure you could do the same with other manufacturers. We liked the GoLite packs because they are light and we found good sale prices.
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Debbie on Feb. 11, 2011, 8:19 p.m.
What gorgeousness, Renee. That last picture made me so happy; to have a community that shares and values your ideals and your way of life. Fantastic.
I'm so glad you had such a great weekend. There is something so special about winter if we just stop, look around, and take it all in. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. xo
renee on Feb. 11, 2011, 9:27 p.m.
We do seem to have found our outdoor "tribe", just in time before we move : (