Shaver Lake 2011

It was our fourth year enjoying Shaver Lake during Labor Day weekend.  Each one has had its own memories, but this year belongs in a category of its own:

Ready to go...

 ~Callen fell asleep immediately, but woke up one hour into the drive.  Not wanting to stop, creative measures were taken to quiet the screaming child.

~The Taco Van overheated at the top of the 4-lane, on the 2-lane road with no cell service, 6 miles from Shaver Lake.  Did I mention that we didn't have extra water?  Thankfully, Drew and Kevin found a stream nearby and filled up water bottles to pour over the radiator.  A Shaver Lake local, Hope True, stopped and replenished our radiator with fresh water.  Watch for her on Wheel of Fortune November 3!



~Saturday was filled with typical lake activities: canoeing, kayaking, fishing, lounging, floating, rock jumping, paddle stealing, and eating. (No log boats this year.)

~Saturday night: Callen was in bed before 9pm even with loud, annoying drunk neighbors.  But the he was awakened at midnight by a song change.  (Our neighbors were so loud that at times it was difficult to hear Drew who was right next to me.)  Once the neighbors quieted down, Callen's screaming became the noise of the campground.  He quieted down after an hour of screaming, only to have the police and rangers arrive at 1 am looking for "Daniel at campsite 98".  After 30 minutes of questioning, the police determined it was a case of mistaken identity.  Callen continues to wake up every hour until 6am.

 ~Sunday morning we determine that Callen's second tooth broke through his gums.

~Sunday's activities looked a lot like Saturday's, except Grammie was on the disabled list recovering from a back injury created while getting revenge on the boys for splashing her while paddling in the kayak. 

~BBQ'd grilled pizza for dinner!!  AMAZING!

~Sunday night: Callen was awakened at 10pm by loud, annoying, drunk neighbors.  While Grandpa was on his way to the neighbors campsite to politely ask them to be quiet, Grammie yelled from the tent, "SHUT-UP!  Every night you are loud."  Silence, except for the screaming, teething child at our site.  Sheriff, ranger and camp host threatened to evict our neighbors, so they reluctantly decided to go to bed.  Drew and I packed up Callen in the van and went for a drive.  At the ranger station they insisted that they wouldn't bother us if we slept at the marina.  Four beautiful hours of sleep!

 ~While packing up to go home, we find a tarantula under our picnic table.  So glad we are leaving...

~In Atascadero (30 minutes from home), BOOM! DA DA DA DA! (car veering to the right).  Flat tire!  I take Callen out of the car seat since he was getting impatient, only to find the biggest pooh of the weekend.  I'm adding this to my resume: changing a diaper on the side of the freeway in 100+ heat while in a disabled vehicle.

 Any one of these events would have made it a memorable weekend, but all of them combined...

Other notable learning experiences:
~No, that's not a really cool community shower with 8 neon green hoses.  It's a beer bong.
~Yes, some people smoke pot at 6am in the morning out of a "fancy" pipe.
~Yes, that really is a microwave on their table.
~Ummm, is that a nightstand with a lamp in that tent?  YES!