Dinner and a Campfire

   ...But wait! There's more! After enjoying a gorgeous sunset, I met everyone back at camp for a steak dinner (thanks Scott & Allyson!!!), and then we walked up to the Esbergs' campsite to enjoy drinks & snacks with everyone around the campfire. We laughed and talked for a while, and I found it increasingly difficult to keep my eyes open after such a fun-packed day.

   This time when I went to bed, I threw caution to the wind and left the space heater on all night so that we wouldn't be freezing again. I think the dogs were very grateful—Taylor only tried to escape a couple of times, as it was nice and toasty in our tent.

Sunset at the Overlook

This is what timers on cameras are for.  ;)

Saturday Morning

   This morning I slept in a bit, then got up to walk the dogs. The sun was rising and made for some fun pictures.

 Mike, Carolyn, Frank & Lucy's campsite:

 Really important sign. Make sure you read it!

 The fall colors were breathtaking in the morning sunlight:

 Wake up, Sleepyhead Shibas!

 So sleepy that her tail straightened!

 View as I woke up this morning:

   Renee's delicious camp breakfast: choco-chip pancakes, turkey bacon, and fresh fruit. She was so nice to cook—and to share! It tasted incredible.

    Gooood Morning! Coffee & Bailey's Irish creme with Scott & Allyson at their tricked-out camper:

 Mike stops by for a visit:

To Weston!

   A bunch of my friends had planned to meet up in Weston tonight to camp, hike and enjoy a gorgeous weekend together. I've wanted to go for a while, but it has been a long couple of weeks, and I wasn't sure I was up for it. But as I drove home tonight, I decided I'd go for it. I got home from work, quickly packed gear for me and the dogs, and we hopped in the car for the 40-minute drive.

The sunset was beautiful!

   By the time I arrived, the party was already in full swing, and Renee had my tent all set up and ready to go. We sat around the campfire, and I dined on a delicious panini that Scott made in a pie iron over the fire, & Allyson's homemade chili. Wow. A long week, good friends, cold weather, hot food, and the gin & tonic tasted even better! Everyone was SO generous to share their gear and food with me, since I headed out in such a hurry.
   This was the first time that the pups had camped, and they didn't quite like the idea of being trapped in a tent, at first. Taylor kept nudging the tent zippers with his nose and actually escaped a couple of times. But once they got the idea, they quickly acclimated...

Around the Campfire

   The air was cold (under 40, I'd guess) so we built a nice fire and huddled around it while we cooked our dinners. (By "cooked," I mean that Renee showed me how to collect and filter water from the creek, and how to light the stove. Then we boiled water and poured it into our Backpacker's Pantry and Mountain House dehydrated entrees. Which were better than you'd imagine!) I experimented with different modes on the camera and got some neat effects.

   Later, the clouds finally parted and we got a great view of the "Super Moon," the largest perigee moon in almost 20 years!