Camping in Big Basin

So a few weeks ago (at the end of July to be precise), I took my first big trip with some of my co-workers from Abbott. While I've gotten to know them in the office setting over the course of the year that I've worked there now, this camping trip to the Big Basin Redwoods State Park (a brilliant park in Santa Cruz County) would really give me a chance to see folks outside (literally and figuratively). Check out some of the highlights of the trip:

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We were led by our "Camp Counselor", Linda, who owns an impressive array of camping gear including the kitchen setup you see in the foreground and the 10-person, 2-cabin tent in the background. I snapped this pic of the beginning of dinner prep as Linda slices some polenta.

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As the sun set and the air began to chill a bit, we figured a fire would be lovely to help warm us all up as we waited for dinner.

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Dinner is served: artichoke & arugula salad, polenta (one sun-dried tomato and the other red quinoa) and tri tip. Exquisite dining I must say!

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We stayed up for a while talking about work/life and such until the fire began to die a bit and we all retired to our respective tents for a good night's sleep. The next morning, we woke up and began prepping for a lovely breakfast. I didn't snap a pic of the fare, but we have scrambled eggs and bacon warming in the foil trays over the fire. Again, you get another view of the kitchen setup as Mike, Alex, Me (slightly obscured), Linda and Steph (the only non-ABT person) hang around.

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After a delicious and energizing breakfast, we all got together to tag team the cleanup. The kitchen setup included a trough style sink where we gathered together to wash dishes: Me, Mike, Naomi, Steph, Adam and Alex.

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We took our time getting ready so we didn't get on the trail till about noon. We took the trail from the Visitor Center out to Berry Creek Falls which included a healthy dose of elevation change. We didn't do the full loop hike but we did subject ourselves to a particularly strenuous section of the trail as the sign indicates.

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The long slog down to the falls was definitely worth the effort as you can see.

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Me, Naomi and Mike enjoy a bit of a break near the base of the falls where we rested, snacked and enjoyed the scenery.

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Another view of Berry Creek Falls, this time from below. Very, very pretty and a reminder of the lovely area we live near.

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We took a pretty aggressive pace on the way back and made it in very good time. As a reward, and for the few folks in the group who had not tried it before, we bought some It's-It ice cream sandwiches from the store at near the Visitor Center. Delicious, especially after all that physical exertion.

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A pretty view of the roadway near our campsite (Sempervirens).

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Our yummy dinner: chicken nachos (someone, who shall remain nameless - not me = forgot to bring tortillas and instead brought tortilla chips) and homemade bean salad.

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As we sat around the campfire after dinner and played games, this particularly brave critter wandered in and out of our campsite. These guys just aren't very cute in real life...

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Sadly on Sunday, it was time to pack up and head back to the real world. Did you know a Honda Element could fit so much cargo?

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We all had a great time and much thanks goes out to Linda for putting it all together. Thanks also to everyone who came and made for a really fun group as well. We'll have to do this again sometime.