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Van Camping – Dash Point

Wow, we’re just a wee bit behind on posting photos. All the pictures were uploaded and arranged on this page back in July, but no one had the energy to write the words for it. That should give you somewhat of an idea what the latter half of 2021 was like for the Derecola clan.

Anyway (I think I say that all the time after my lead-in), we kept the tradition of camping over the 4th of July weekend in 2021. I was about six weeks removed from my heart attack and we had a reservation only about an hour from home, we kept our plans as a way to have a chill weekend away from things. With me just out of the hospital and Dash Point State Park being so close, we decided to take my GTI as a spare car. It’s not “true” to the van camping life, but sometimes you have to make adjustments.

Dash Point sites (with power and water) didn’t have a great deal of privacy, but this campground had a good mix on day activities for families with small kids and/or parents recovering from heart attacks. We did a couple short day hikes, visited the beach at the other end of the campground, and counted many many “asparagus” (rabbits – long story involving our imaginations). We made use of our propane fire pit, which is a recent conversion after years of backyard pits that use wood. I have been conflicted about it, but it’s actually the only fire we were allowed to use because of summer burn bans. This summer was particularly hot… although multi-month burn bans have become the norm around here every year.

No internet at camp, so it was music, audiobooks, or… for some of us… actual books. There were toys, a soccer ball, a hammock, drone flights, and a day on a boat rental out of Tacoma. That location is considered part of our membership, so it was great to be able to drive ~20 min away and explore a new part of the south Sound. Not much to see from that outing, as we spent of it motoring around the area looking at whatever we could find. Thirty-seven miles is legit!

So, yeah. Van camping. No regrets. We’re doing the same weekend in 2022. Different spot, though.

Christmas Time 2018

We interrupt the Italy picture love fest to bring you a few from this holiday season. We did everything low key – no traveling and no visitors, except a Friendsgiving with the Kizers. Dom is old enough to be a big fan of Christmas lights but isn’t quite old enough to get the concept of Christmas. All he really knows is he got a cool new table, suitcases, and some toys. We spent a lot of the month catching our breaths and just hanging out at home. It was nice.

We’ve got a busy January coming, so everything’s already put away. :-D

 

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Christmas Time 2017

It may be February, but we have a Christmas recap for you all. We purposely had no plans for the holidays; choosing to spend Dominic’s second Christmas at home. The season started with a visit with Santa Claus shortly after Thanksgiving. There was no crying, but Dom was completely unsure of the experience.

The remainder of December was spent running around at the garden center, going to Letterpress Distillery with a friend visiting from the East Coast, assisting mom with decorating, and looking at all the holiday decorations in the city.

Chris wanted to start the tradition of placing luminaries along our front walk, so before it got too dark on Christmas Eve we adventured out. Dom was an excellent helper, particularly in making sure there were enough rocks in the bags to keep them from blowing away. Unfortunately for the luminaries it had started snowing! Dom started out a little unsure about the white stuff; we ended up having to encourage him back into the house.

I started the tradition last Christmas of Dom opening one present on Christmas Eve, a gift from mommy and daddy with a new Christmas book. While he did help open the gift this year, he was far more interested in putting his blocks in the Christmas tree.

It snowed all night and when we woke up, everything was white. A wonderful Christmas surprise and a reason to be happy we had no where to be. The fire was almost as interesting as last year, but this year Dom helped bring gifts to mommy and daddy and opened a few of his gifts. As soon as his new camping cot was opened he climbed on it to check it out and loved all his new books.