It's only taken 12 months, but we finally found a weekend when we could go camping with the Parkers!
We returned once more to Samuel P. Taylor Park (a convenient 45 minutes drive away) where we nestled our tents amongst the redwoods, got the fire going, and gorged ourselves on s'mores.
I learned a bit more about Mr Samuel P. Taylor this trip, who turns out to have been a canny businessman. He started by selling bacon and eggs to tourists on the beach, saved up enough to buy some redwood forest, started a paper mill, found gold, started recycling, and built the West Coast's first fish ladder. Wikipedia concurs, so it must be true.
All this was gleaned on an historical hike on the first evening, so we spent the second day on the beach to recover. The highlight for me was getting to watch Disney's The Princess and The Frog on the Parker's in-car DVD player. We came back to the campsite via a Point Reyes oyster shack and then, sadly, Loren, Tamara, Evie and Lyla had to head home. Hannah and I consoled ourselves with a second night under canvas...and a million more toasted marshmallows.
The palace.
The servants' quarters. We swapped, of course!
Evie is all set up and ready to camp.
Stumped.
My cub scout backwoodsman badge comes in handy, with a little help.
Chef Hannah, branded.
Loren demonstrates the perfect s'more (the process took 20-30 minutes, involved sacrificing a Graham cracker...you'll have to ask him).
A more traditional approach, a la mode Davies.
Princesses together.
With the kids in bed, Tamara roasts her 20th marshmallow.
Saturday morning. What could all the excitement be about?
Here we go! Loren's perfect pancakes.
Who needs a portable DVD player when you've got bubbles?
Down on the beach.
Sandy, soaking, very happy.
The many faces of Evie Parker. Watch for her name on an Oscar ballot in a few years.
The girls chill. Although that is a management book that Hannah's reading...
Marshall's, at Point Reyes.
One for our Mums.
Back at the camp, after the Parkers head home. Quiet :(
Wow - a camp fire with wi-fi! These Americans, what will they think of next?!
