Camperoo at the Zoo
This weekend we went to one of our favorite events of the summer, the annual Camperoo at the Oregon Zoo. This is our third year, and certainly not last.
We load up our tent, air mattresses and sleeping gear in the wagon...and plop a certain 4-year-old on top to keep it all in place.
Then it is off to set up our tent on the concert lawn. Ours is the red tent in the front of this picture. You'll see that we've finally heeded the call to reality and stopped trying to cram Soren in with us in our sleek 2-person backpacking tent!
This year, for the first time, we went for a ride on the zoo train. It seems unbelievable with Soren's huge train obsession that we've never ridden it before. But somehow there were always too many other things to do when we've been there before.
But we rectified that and enjoyed a pleasant trip around the zoo and Washington Park in a pretty cool old train.
Soren, as usual when he rides a train, was mesmerized.
After touring the animal hospital and wandering around the zoo for awhile we came back to the concert lawn for a camping requirement: s'mores!
For me, the very best thing about Camperoo is the early morning peace in the zoo. Having an early-rising family we just slip on our flip flops about 6 a.m. and go see what's happening. And at that time, there is always a lot happening!
This year the busy tigers and the giraffe were the highlights.
I had to share this picture, not because it is so beautiful or shows something really memorable, but because Soren said "Hey Mom, take my picture!" which must be a first in our family. Usually I'm the one stalking him!
After a few hours of wandering around we head back for a Camperoo breakfast, break down our tent, head for home and start looking forward to next year's Camperoo.
We load up our tent, air mattresses and sleeping gear in the wagon...and plop a certain 4-year-old on top to keep it all in place.
Then it is off to set up our tent on the concert lawn. Ours is the red tent in the front of this picture. You'll see that we've finally heeded the call to reality and stopped trying to cram Soren in with us in our sleek 2-person backpacking tent!
This year, for the first time, we went for a ride on the zoo train. It seems unbelievable with Soren's huge train obsession that we've never ridden it before. But somehow there were always too many other things to do when we've been there before.
But we rectified that and enjoyed a pleasant trip around the zoo and Washington Park in a pretty cool old train.
Soren, as usual when he rides a train, was mesmerized.
After touring the animal hospital and wandering around the zoo for awhile we came back to the concert lawn for a camping requirement: s'mores!
For me, the very best thing about Camperoo is the early morning peace in the zoo. Having an early-rising family we just slip on our flip flops about 6 a.m. and go see what's happening. And at that time, there is always a lot happening!
This year the busy tigers and the giraffe were the highlights.
I had to share this picture, not because it is so beautiful or shows something really memorable, but because Soren said "Hey Mom, take my picture!" which must be a first in our family. Usually I'm the one stalking him!
After a few hours of wandering around we head back for a Camperoo breakfast, break down our tent, head for home and start looking forward to next year's Camperoo.
That looks like alot of fun! We, too, tried to cram 1 then 2 kids into our "sleek" backpacking tent. It worked for a while till mama bear said she wouldn't go camping again till we bought a family tent. Good thing they come in plus sizes.
ReplyDeleteHow did I now know about Camparoo?? We're even zoo members! BAD mama! Next year...We also love the train and ride it every time we visit (which is weekly, lately!).
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