Boys Camping Trip--April 20-21

Todd and Cameron met the bus at the Warner Fountain at 7:30 on Saturday.  There were 44 people going to camp on The Great Wall.  They loaded the bus and headed out.  Ale sat by Todd.  Though Todd said it didn't last long.  Ale said "I'm bored, I'm hungry, I'm going to find my Mom".

Loading up the bus.

This is Fred.  He was the guide.

Ale and Todd sitting together.

Cameron and Manuel sat together.  Kevin was behind them.
Alfredo and Marcela were next to them.

They made the 4 hour drive to the Wall.  Todd said it was long.  They had lunch at a restaurant in the village.  Todd and Cameron said it wasn't very good.  They then loaded up their packs and headed out on their hike.

The boys were waiting to eat lunch.

The little village they ate lunch.

Lunch time.  Carrasco's to the left...Cameron to the right.

Smile.  Alejandro what kind of face is that?

They look ready to go.

Cameron was smart.  He took his back pack off while they
waited to leave.

That is a big back pack.

Some people took the short walk which was 45 minutes to the camp site.  Others (Todd and Cameron included) took the long route which was 3.5 hours to the camp site.  The first 40 minutes was straight up hill to the Wall.  Todd on the video sounds like he is dying he was breathing so hard.  Tough hike with a huge pack on their back.  They then hiked the Wall which was not an easy task either.

Cameron with the Carrasco's and Kyhn children all taking a break.

Nice picture of my guys.

Check out the wall they are walking on.  Yikes!

Taking another break.

One tough, long hike.

They made it to the site and put up the tent.  They had dinner which again was not good.  The kids ran around exploring having fun.  The adults sat around talking.  Once it got dark there was nothing else for them to do.  They couldn't have a fire because it was too dry.  Todd and Cameron went into the tent around 9:00.  They had some snacks and then went to sleep. 

Awesome views.

Enjoying some adult time while the kids explored.

Cameron and Ale are dirty so it must mean they
are having fun.

Cameron got to enjoy some Dad time.

The tents all set up.

Cameron trying out the tent.

Beautiful sunset.

As you can tell it was getting cold.

Ready for bed.

Well, as it turned out they didn't get much sleep.  It was FREEZING.  Todd didn't have a sleeping bag but did have a little blanket. He also took one of the liners and wrapped that around him.  He finally took foot warmers and put them in his shoes and put them back on.  You know if Todd says it was cold it was cold. 

They also said they could hear snoring.  It was so loud that there was no way to sleep.  Todd and Cameron were up by 5.  They watched the sun come up and tried to make noise to wake others up.  They wanted to hike back out and get home.  Finally everyone was moving and packing up camp.  They hiked down for 45 minutes and had breakfast.  Ileana told me it was the same food they had the day before.  She is pretty sure they just warmed it up. 

Beautiful sunrise.

Brrr, they look cold.

Exploring and waiting for others to wake up.

The whole gang.

Anna, Cameron, and Vellum making their way back to the bus.

Cameron, Alfredo, Marcela, and Anna are ready to get on the bus.

Finally on the bus and headed back to TEDA.  They said it was fun and a great experience.  They just wished it was warmer.  I'm glad Cameron and Todd got to experience this together.  Another once in a lifetime adventure.