We are back in smokey Cameron Park after a long July 4th weekend at the Ghidossi cabin on the Russian River.
ODD FELLOWS RUSSIAN RIVER PARK, located two miles east of Guerneville on the south side of the Russian River in Sonoma County. There are 1,100 cabin sites including rental units and 35 family camping spaces. The 317 acres has road and street names with a connection to Odd Fellowship like Wildey, Colfax, Saratoga, etc. While many of the cabins and homes are located on the slopes and hills in the park, the flat land is utilized for the recreation area, camp grounds, rental units, store, teen club, clubhouse, outdoor theater, picnic area, playgrounds and barbecue area. The beach area, 350 feet frontage, is the finest to be found on the Russian River.
The whole family had a fabulous time hanging out with people we love, relaxing and putting daily stresses aside for a few days (the kids didn't even fight -except for on the trip home).
The highlight of the trip for me was watching Kenny set out up (and down) the river on a kayak - by himself [video at bottom of this post]. This just wasn't a one time occurrence; once Kenny felt the power (and solitude) of being in charge of his fate on the (slow moving) river, we couldn't keep him off the kayak. Hence, we nicknamed him Captain Kayak. In the mornings he would state, "I'm not going on the kayak today. (due to sore tummy muscles)" Only to later eat his words, and put in
another long day pulling himself up and down the river (dodging swimmers, large canoes, large rocks hiding just under the surface of the water).
I suspect the fact that Kenny has been to this location on the river for seven years (July 2002 was our first visit) and has become a strong swimmer had a lot to do with his confidence level -- His independence was a true joy to see, as Kenny typically is a worry-wart and doesn't try new things hastily. It's just a little glimpse to the fact that one day he will be on his own (in his own metaphorical kayak) and controlling his own destiny (sigh - bittersweet).
~~~~~~~~~~
Other highlights: We left the typical OFRC roped beach area and headed up river a little bit to find a soft sandbar. We put in our beach chairs and sat in the water enjoying the "show" (canoers coming down the river and dumping over -- if we'd only had some Olympic-style number signs it'd have been perfect). Waching the Ghidossi family skim board along the shore, Katie making a cool sandfort (with help from her friends) on the hillside next to the river), nightly ice cream at the river store, getting to sleep in the private bedroom at the cabin instead of the loft), family dance, Piggy park, bike rides and long walks, and, of course, the annual OFRC Independence Parade.
~~~~~~~~~
So now we are home and laying-low. The smoke from all the fires has polluted the air so badly we cannot go outside to play, swim nor garden. The a/c is on and the shades are down --- a fairly typical summer in Cameron Park.
~~~~~~~~~
ODD FELLOWS RUSSIAN RIVER PARK, located two miles east of Guerneville on the south side of the Russian River in Sonoma County. There are 1,100 cabin sites including rental units and 35 family camping spaces. The 317 acres has road and street names with a connection to Odd Fellowship like Wildey, Colfax, Saratoga, etc. While many of the cabins and homes are located on the slopes and hills in the park, the flat land is utilized for the recreation area, camp grounds, rental units, store, teen club, clubhouse, outdoor theater, picnic area, playgrounds and barbecue area. The beach area, 350 feet frontage, is the finest to be found on the Russian River.
The whole family had a fabulous time hanging out with people we love, relaxing and putting daily stresses aside for a few days (the kids didn't even fight -except for on the trip home).
The highlight of the trip for me was watching Kenny set out up (and down) the river on a kayak - by himself [video at bottom of this post]. This just wasn't a one time occurrence; once Kenny felt the power (and solitude) of being in charge of his fate on the (slow moving) river, we couldn't keep him off the kayak. Hence, we nicknamed him Captain Kayak. In the mornings he would state, "I'm not going on the kayak today. (due to sore tummy muscles)" Only to later eat his words, and put in
another long day pulling himself up and down the river (dodging swimmers, large canoes, large rocks hiding just under the surface of the water).I suspect the fact that Kenny has been to this location on the river for seven years (July 2002 was our first visit) and has become a strong swimmer had a lot to do with his confidence level -- His independence was a true joy to see, as Kenny typically is a worry-wart and doesn't try new things hastily. It's just a little glimpse to the fact that one day he will be on his own (in his own metaphorical kayak) and controlling his own destiny (sigh - bittersweet).
~~~~~~~~~~
Other highlights: We left the typical OFRC roped beach area and headed up river a little bit to find a soft sandbar. We put in our beach chairs and sat in the water enjoying the "show" (canoers coming down the river and dumping over -- if we'd only had some Olympic-style number signs it'd have been perfect). Waching the Ghidossi family skim board along the shore, Katie making a cool sandfort (with help from her friends) on the hillside next to the river), nightly ice cream at the river store, getting to sleep in the private bedroom at the cabin instead of the loft), family dance, Piggy park, bike rides and long walks, and, of course, the annual OFRC Independence Parade.
~~~~~~~~~
So now we are home and laying-low. The smoke from all the fires has polluted the air so badly we cannot go outside to play, swim nor garden. The a/c is on and the shades are down --- a fairly typical summer in Cameron Park.
~~~~~~~~~
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