camping

We finally got to go camping! Last summer we tried to go to Fifth Water Hot Springs, but it just didn't work out for so many reasons. We got to our campsite really late, and also we were under the impression that the hike was like 15 minutes. So, it just wasn't a very good combination. This year, however, we did our research! Jake picked me up from work with the car all loaded up and we headed out. 

The hardest thing about camping for us is finding a free site. I mean, hello, who pays for a campsite? It defeats the purpose in our heads. So, last time we found this place after much searching. So, it was much easier this time around.

We got the cutest little spot at the end of the trail. It was about a five minute walk from the parking lot, but then also really close to the stream, so we got lulled to sleep by the rushing waters :) it was so calming, really.

We started the hike this time prepped and ready! We went into it thinking it would take us about an hour and a half. It only ended up taking about 50 minutes. We did stop a couple times too, to look at the pretty scenery. You could probably do it in 45 minutes, and it's not even bad.

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This was the cutest little spot! It just loved how peaceful it was. It was so picturesque.

We made it! It was very different from what we were thinking, but only in the very best way. There were tons of spots that were cut off, so it wasn't hard to have some privacy. 

The nicest man offered to take this picture (which we were setting up selfie-style). I had a small heart attack while he was holding my camera while standing in a hot pot full of slippery moss-covered rocks, but alas, it survived. And now we've got this cutie, so win win.

I found this dead butterfly, and I wanted to take it home, but then I decided I didn't know what I would do with it. So, we propped it on some leaves on a huge rock in the middle of the trail. It was just so beautiful, and so well intact!

I discovered the beauty that fire photography is... but I decided to only include one picture, because I took wayyyyyy too many. 

Jake packed literally everything for this trip while I was at work, and he did such a killer job. He even bought veggie dogs so we could eat the same thing! Cutest husband award. Also, I feel it's important to note we both ate 3 hot dogs, plus chips, plus a smore.

We got these cutest camping socks from J.Crew, and I'm so happy Jake remembered to bring them! We were the cutest bb feet.

The next morning we explored the surrounding area, but didn't find too many exciting things. We snacked on the side of the old, bridge ruins and watched our chips float down the river. I also saved a little dude from a spider's web, so there's that.

So, while at the hot springs I looked down at the rings I have been wearing every day for a very long time and saw the left picture... I was devastated! Apparently hot springs wreck your rings. However, if you wrap a cup in tinfoil, put your rings in there, add a TBSP of baking soda, a TBSP of salt, and some hot water, it cleans right off! Amazing. 

This camping trip was our favorite to date! Everything went sooo smoothly compared to our last trips. I think it just takes a couple times to get everything down. Yay! Hopefully we can get some more breaks from work and school, so we can go to some of the other spots we've been eyeing. 

XOXO

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