Maple Canyon

After four and half years of being together, Stephen finally took my camping last weekend to Maple Canyon. We went with another couple that we're friends with. I mean we've been camping before with our families, but not just the two of us, so I was overly excited about this trip, and it couldn't have come at a better time. We really needed to get away even for just an overnighter. The campground was packed full and there were only three spots left, so we snagged two that were right across from each other for our friends. We set up camp and we were in charge of cooking dinner so we put together some Door Slammer Dutch oven chicken, potatoes and carrots, and made a s'mores pie for dessert. We played games while we waited for the food, but since this was our first time using a dutch oven by ourselves we didn't quite know what we were doing. We waited an hour and a half for the chicken until we checked it. It was done and ready to eat, but the veggies were still hard and the chicken was just barely done. It was 8:30 by the time we ate dinner, and we were hungry so we couldn't wait any longer. We were all excited for dessert which was also cooked in a dutch oven, but we ended up over cooking it, so our whole dinner was kind of a flop.

We borrowed some camping supplies from Stephen's brother including some cots. Everyone thought I was crazy for going camping at 8 months pregnant, but those cots, holy cow, they were so comfortable I actually slept better on them than on my bed at home. I didn't want to get up in morning; I was so warm and cozy! We had breakfast burritos made by our friends and set out for a hike up the canyon walls. Maple Canyon is world-known for it's canyon walls for rock climbing because instead of a straight cut wall they are cobblestone, so it's perfect for rock climbers and very unique looking. It's beautiful in fall because of all the maple and oak trees that envelope you as they change from green to fiery red, orange and yellow. I was kinda disappointed because we came a few weeks too early to catch the leafy show, but maybe next year. We had a lot of fun hanging out with Seth and Martha and enjoyed the great outdoors.

 Our fire was pretty smokey

 Stephen tried to climb the wall. He didn't get too far

 I love the woods! It's so beautiful

 Seth, Martha, and their dog Bleu

 One of the canyon walls

 I found this cute, fuzzy black and orange caterpillar on our way back to camp.

You can tell we've been camping because I have no make-up on and my face is filthy