Camping at Temperance River State Park

Last summer we happened to be visiting Temperance River Sate Park, and noticed some campsites that were right next to Lake Superior.  We made a mental note to try and camp there this summer.  Way back in January, during a painful cold snap,  I realized that I should probably try and reserve one of the campsites, and with great disbelief, found there were only 2 dates still available for reservations!  I snatched the campsite up right away, and told Dr. Peds to make it work with his schedule, which he did.  Something similar happened with our group camping reservation, and it ended up that we went right from one state park to the next, with a small stop in Duluth to replenish supplies, feed the cat, and pick up our strawberry CSA boxes.  There were literally 30 footsteps from our campsite to the beach, and I was awake early for the sunrise both mornings.  Glorious! I couldn’t believe that no one else was on the beach.  Granted it was 5:30 a.m., but I wouldn’t have missed it!

We basically spent almost all of our full day of  camping relaxing on the beach.  I went on a wonderful kayak ride along the shore, and The Banana searched for sea glass for hours.  Dr. Peds read a book in his chair right next to the water, and Mr. SP and Mr. TOF were in and out of the water and exploring.  There were wonderful nooks and crannies to explore in the rocks and boulders.  

Mr. TOF absolutely loves camping, every little bit of the experience from Smores to reading in the tent to the beach.  He was so happy to do everything.

Mr. SP found this amazing piece of sea glass.  We were so excited.  

In the afternoon The Banana and I went on a hike together up the river and through the gorge.  She’s a great hiker and we had so much fun spending time together talking and climbing.  At the top we stuck our feet in the river, which was so refreshing and fun.   Temperance River has always been one of my favorite state parks and one of my favorite hikes, but it’s also a little tricky and dangerous, I feel, especially with my risk taking second kidlet.  My want-t0-be-in-charge first kidlet hates hiking and is usually fussy about it, and when she sees the second kidlet doing things he shouldn’t she starts bossing him around, which just leads to a lot of drama.  No one but The Banana wanted to go hiking on this camping trip, and really, it was so nice!  It was so much fun to hike on that trail with a  calm and appreciative third kidlet.  

We had a few hammocks set up with bug nets.  A hammock with a bug net makes for a relaxing and enjoyable camping trip.  

Dr. Peds had forgotten his ax on our group camping trip, so it was on our list of things to pick up when we stopped at home for a few hours.  He was so happy to have it for this camping trip.  He knows how to build a great fire.

It took very little time for the kidlets to devour an entire watermelon.  We’re talking minutes.  The whole watermelon was gone in minutes. 

Mr. TOF highly appreciated his peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  

I had been waiting for “Grandma Kathy hot dogs” cooked over the fire!  These special little hot dogs are only available in Valley City, ND, and Grandma Kathy keeps us supplied!  They are almost like summer sausage in hot dog form, made of all beef.  I enjoy them in egg bake, but my very favorite way to eat them is singed on an open flame.  It’s my favorite camping meal.  

Mr. Trouble on Feet hardly stopped chatting the entire time he was awake while camping.  He had lots to say about everything, and he says it all with animation.

YaYa slept in the hammock one night out in the open air, with her sleeping bag and pillow.  Then she spent all day in the hammock reading books.

At this campground the water comes up from an underground spring.  It was pure, fresh, and icy cold.  It was always running out of the faucet and trickled down to the Lake in a cozy little brook.  You can imagine what a thrill it was to walk over to the water source and fill up water bottles.  It was a job loved by all.  

After watching the sunrise on the second morning, it began to rain.  It wasn’t supposed to be raining, we didn’t think, but we couldn’t really get any radar on Dr. Peds’ cell phone, and it looked like it was going to be raining for quite some time.  We decided to pack up and head for home.  As soon as we got everything packed up, however, it stopped raining!  Figures!  The car was packed, though, so we climbed in and started driving.  On the way home we decided to stop at the new visitor center at Tettagouche State Park.  It was built last summer, and it is a beautiful building.  While we were there Dr. Peds and the kidlets took a neat class on loons, and Mr. TOF and I explored a beautiful little beach.  We loaded everyone up again, and made it home in the early afternoon for the job of unpacking.  It takes a lot of work to go camping, and it takes a lot of work to come home from camping, but I’m pretty sure that it’s worth it because the actual experience is such great family time.