The Bayocean Peninsula starts with a beautiful drive half circling the bay and looking out over the mud flats before turning on to a dirt road onto a dike onto the peninsula. Our walk started out pretty nice as we saw a handful of horses in the parking lot. We strolled out at a nice preschooler pace the first 2.5 miles (about a mile per hour) along the bay side of the walk and found our campspot. Stopping only a couple of quick breaks, one to go potty and one for a snack. S.N.: Atreyu really likes those applesauce in a pouch, and while I would never condone those (simply based on environmental concerns) they are great for backpacking; lightweight, no muss, no fuss, no spoon required. Our spot, a cozy little nook tucked away a short distance off the main trail and only a few steps off the dunes was simply perfect for our little troop. We set up camp and checked out the beach..... for.... about.... a minute. After all that walk the kid simply was not feeling the oh so windy beach. OH SO WINDY. Ok so dinner it is which was ok I suppose ready to eat rice and chicken in a tuna can, mixed together with a little hot water and voila!! As good as any MRE I've ever seen. A tiny little fire to heat water and then the awesome special treat, yes....we toted s'mores out with us. Trey just wanted a burnt marshmallow, IDK why I even went through the trouble to set him up a stick (cleaned and pointed, UGH) and I made maybe the best S'more I've ever eaten, I suppose it could've been pure hunger. After dinner we had planned to watch the sunset into the Pacific, one of Fawns favorite pastimes. BUT.... instead we walked along the bay out to the very end. Found some crabs and a jaw bone from a sea lion and search-and-rescue training weekend. Nice stroll, about half mile each way. Back to camp for some rest.
*Middle of the night. Wake up to dog growling. Realize the packs have all the food in them about six inches from my head separated by only a thin nylon barrier that I seriously doubt is bear proof. End up having to chase a raccoon out of camp. Whew!
Morning brings coffee and oatmeal AND an army of biting bugs; fire ants, mosquitos, and spiders. OH MY! But it also brings packing up camp, dumping out a few pounds of water and heading out onto the beach for the second half of our walk. 3 miles down the most gorgeous beach and not even a trace of another human being as far as the eye can see. Taking our time finding treasure, taking a break for snacks (I told you Atreyu loves those pouches) and finding a few hundred jellyfish. I think Atreyu wanted to stop and see everyone one of them and to squish a few.... The walk back was wonderful, except the last stretch, after we stepped off the beach we climbed the trail on the dune and expected to see the parking lot right there, but, instead, it was about a mile across the only wide spot on the whole peninsula. But that stretch was well rewarded with a finding the van, AND a lunch of burgers, chowder and a pint at the Pelican Brewery. YUM
Stop at ,not one, but TWO cheese factories for samples, fun and ice cream and head home. But of course not without a stop on the way for a dip in the Wilson river.
All in all it was a great two days I loved near every minute.
Two quickie reviews. Our tent: the Drifter 3 by Mountain hard wear. I loved this tent before but it is a bit small when car camping with the whole family and a big dog. But for backpacking (as it was designed) it was perfect. I didn't feel it was too heavy at all. Yes my pack was heavy but I never once thought "oh the damn tent" fit nicely in a tight space and was able to fit everybody pretty comfy.
The food: We ate a dinner of Uncle Bens chicken flavor rice mixed with canned chicken. Worked great. Hearty and tasty after a big walk. As easy and good as any MRE. And for breakfast we brought milk in a box, kept just fine and was a huge improvement on powdered creamer. If not for the boy I might not bring it again but I wouldn't complain since we did.
