Deseret Ranch Camping Trip

Last weekend (which was months ago now, since I forgot to hit publish) we went on a one night camping trip with a couple of other families to the Deseret Ranch. We went back and forth on wether or not to go since the past few trips have just gotten worse and worse with Eliza and how horrible she sleeps in a tent. In the end we couldn't pass up the invite and went, mostly since I knew it wouldn't be freezing temperatures like it usually is in Idaho. Speaking of Idaho, we left all of our camping supplies there- both our backpacking tent and family tent- so we decided to borrow my parent's, who are currently in Australia, instead. They weren't 100 percent sure where their stuff was and there was something about a green duffle bag and a few other places to check. When I went to grab the stuff at their house I saw a tent like something in a green duffle bag and threw it in the car.

I don't know if my parents have a different definition for what a tent they'd say would "fit all of you but you wouldn't be able to stand up in" is, or if we grabbed the wrong tent, but the thing was a tiny little square. Neither of could even lay straight in it much less fit both our twin air mattresses into. Instead we emptied out the van, laid the seats flat, and started to put just one twin mattress in there because two wouldn't fit. During the process Cathy came up and, in more or less words, was all "wow you guys are gonna sleep on that how cute and cozy" and I was just kind of standing there grimacing. People, we are a tight knit family...but those fibers begin to come unwound when faced with inadequate sleeping space for two adults and a toddler. In the end we traded our twins for a queen that our friends had and it all worked out beautifully- better than a tent, in my opinion. We kept Eliza up until 11pm and it took her maybe 10 minutes to pass out. Sure, she moved around in the night, took all the covers, and crammed herself into us every. single. minute. of it, meaning we only got a few hours of sleep, but it was well worth it and exceeded my expectations.

Without further ado, here is some of the fun we had:

When we woke up the next morning we did did a lot of the activities that are up there, like the Pennywash slide, gun range, and obstacle course. Along with hazy car window mornings, hot dogs, berry cobbler, s'mores, and a slew of other junk food that was all enjoyed with good people and I say it was a more than a success.