#FlashbackFriday – Hiking with Kids: Car Camping and Hiking in Joshua Tree, May 24 2014

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With Kids to Parks Day 2016 fast approaching, I’ve been thinking about the hiking and camping trips with our oldest son. Just over two years ago, my wife and I took him on his first (car) camping trip and first visit to a national park. Leaving work that Friday, I was excited to get away for a night, but dreading the packing and driving that would need to be done before the fun would begin. As usual, packing took much longer than expected, we hit traffic on our drive and after arriving at the park a few hours later than planned, we had trouble finding an open campsite. On the drive out, I also learned that the trail I planned to hike solo early the next day was closed indefinitely. Setting up our campsite in the dark while my wife rocked our grumpy son to sleep, I started to question why we were there and how I ever thought this trip would well.

The next morning, our son woke up screeching and giggling when he realized we were all sleeping together in a tent. Just seeing his excitement was worth all the effort and I immediately started wondering where we should take him next!