Shakedown!

At the last minute, the kids and I joined in the scouts' "shakedown" backpacking trip last week. The "shakedown" is the practice trip for the scouts going to the national camp this summer for a 10-day, 70-mile backpacking trip. Beau is a wee bit too young to attend the national camp, so he wasn't originally scheduled to do the shakedown, but because two of the four trip leaders were delayed in Europe (b/c of the volcano eruption), I went along to help out. And brought the kids along.

First order of business was to hang the "bear bags." Not only was this practice, but there are, in fact, bears in up state NY.

Dinner was re-hydrated backpacking meals.

The de-hydrated apple cobbler that Britt sent along for us was a big hit! It became the communal dessert.

Next morning it was foggy and atmospheric.

Casey and Beau were eager hikers.

Here's the group ready to hit the trail.

Setting off.

Stream crossing.

Lake-side lunch.

Kids and I hiked only one day. Here we are hiking out to head home.

It was a successful and fun outing.