A Little Place Called KOA

A while back, I suggested we make the most of our weekends by taking a Friday or two off and camping up north. Hey, even an Arizona native needs a break from the heat once in a while! (And for what it's worth, I don't think you ever truly acclimate to 108 degrees!)

We suggested it to the other families in our mom's Meetup group and voila! An entire getaway was organized by the savvy and well-experienced Carla.

I can't even begin to tell you how much fun we had!

You were probably expecting the worst... I told my violin teacher and she just apologized and said she was glad she wasn't me. I know it doesn't sound like the best idea: a small group of parents with children under the age of one in Flagstaff sleeping on the ground for a weekend. But the secret to our success: KOA. Kampgrounds of America (and I give full grace for the assault on proper spelling--that's just how great they are!) are something I had recently become aware of, but this was our first time using one and I can't recommend them enough: clean restrooms complete with showers, small store for necessities, a playground, breakfast kart serving eggs and such in the mornings (again, with the "k", I know), family movie night under the stars, laundry facilities, bike rental and more. If you're fairly green in the camping arena, as we were especially with our baby, this is the place to start.

And let me just tell you, Dia spent three days in the dirt. THREE DAYS. This was easily the greatest weekend of her LIFE. Here's proof:

Day 1 (*Notice how clean she is!)

By the next morning, we were pretty well dirty. And lovin' it.

And while she had the CUTEST pop-up chair, the tarp was way more fun! Did you want some?


Some friends brought their hammock--group swing!

More eating! Did you know Annie's makes a decent baked bean without sugar?

And being only about an hour and a half from the Grand Canyon, we made a stop--it was Rory's first visit! Oh, and Dia's, too! He was blown away. It is such a beautiful sight. Dia was mostly impressed with the other people, dogs and how papa could disappear behind the rocks.

Had a picnic in the car!

Enjoyed the beautiful park! And beautiful weather--what a blessing to be outdoors for three days after a summer of, "No, we can't go outside, D. It's 107."

Happy girl, beautiful time! Beautiful girl, happy time!



Playing peek-a-boo with a girl we met at the playground

Tough girl!

Back at the KOA, Dia met a little three-year old who showed her the ways of the world, i.e., how to ride the merry-go-round while standing up and how to shove wood chips through the fence.
(Dia would often point to the playground--it was visible from our campsite--and pump her arms furiously while huffing and puffing. She loved playing and LOVED watching the big kids.)

The whole group! Great mamas, papas and babies