Stories of Sibling Shenanigans

Continuing on with a tradition that began when we were in diapers, my brother and I met up for our annual family camping last weekend. Having hiked, biked, camped, rafted, backpacked and explored together for over three decades, we certainly have some stories to tell, and it’s a lot of fun now that we’re parents getting our own kids in on some of these family shenanigans.

 

We returned to Fort Stevens State Park since it makes a good mid-way point with a variety of things to see and explore, and they have cozy and affordable camping cabins to take shelter from the winter storms. With beaches, trails, wildlife, historic sites and museums I don’t think
we would ever have trouble finding something to do, no matter what the coastal weather. February is a nice slow time of year for us to take a break from homesteading responsibilities and  as it turned out, the weather this year was beautiful, so we were able to enjoy more time outside.

Not only the weather, but the tides were more in our favor than last year, allowing us to climb all over the shipwreck of the Peter Iredale, whereas last year it was a daring feat!

We hadn’t realized how many parts of the ship stuck out of the sand on down the beach, and were able to get a better idea of how large it was. Once it ran aground, I can see how that ship was never going anywhere again.

With Lyla Bea another year older, and not such a tiny baby anymore, she was also able to enjoy our shipwreck explorations. 

 

She is at an on-the-go age, where running on the beach was very much her thing.

 

As well as goofy amusement…

 

And the occasional pirate face.

Since Colleys are not the type to shy away from danger, we spent some time exploring around the old Fort Stevens military site. It is actually much more low key than the sign makes it sound, but we felt like were living on the edge, and that’s all that matters.

 

Lyla Bea especially enjoyed the large iron doors and insisted that we knock to see who was there.

 

I have to say, I am personally glad that nobody was home. Those old bunkers can be a bit dark and creepy.

 

We made another stop at Battery Russell and Pacific Rim Peace Memorial, which was a little more open and accessible than the main historic site, and offered plenty of nooks and crannies for exploring fun for all ages. 

With near 70 degree temperatures, we were not the only folks out there enjoying the beautiful weather. Some kite boarders were taking advantage of this spring-like day and we had fun watching them do what they do out on the estuary.

 

Colleys know how to have fun, and with all that fun we were having, we managed to completely tucker Lyla Bea out. I would say it was a successful adventure.

 

I feel very fortunate for the times I get to spend together with my brother and watching our selves and our families grow over the years. It feels good to be passing on these traditions of time together in the outdoors to our kids, and it makes me smile to think of them having adventures together with their own families in the future and having stories to tell.