Grayland Beach State Park Campground {Washington} – our maiden voyage

Our Maiden Voyage with Stella {our Airstream} happened over Spring Break, April 8-10, 2015. We had booked a camping spot at Grayland Beach State Park in Western Washington. We chose Grayland because it was a short 80-mile distance from home, an easy driving route and on the beach.

Location – Grayland Beach State Park, camping spot 102
Available services – Electrical and water hook-up (no sewer, but dumping available in campground)
Cost – $30/night, plus $8 web reservation fee = $68 for two night

It’s recommended you take a little “shake down” trip with your new (or used) rig a few times before you head out for a big trip. It’s a good opportunity to test your trailer systems to make sure all systems are working properly. I was a ball of nerves – although we had a very thorough walkthrough when we picked Her up, it was the first time we’d be doing everything on our own – hitching her up, hooking her up to water, leveling her and using all the systems.

Once we got to the campsite, got her backed in, leveled and plugged in – I finally let out that first sigh of relief. I think I had been holding my breath all the way from Olympia. 🙂 Had we really just got here in one piece? I was so grateful and giddy to have arrived as planned.

It didn’t take us long to completely relax and immerse ourselves in the beauty and fun around us. How could we not? The weather was GLORIOUS – sunshine, no wind, and temps in the 60’s – rare conditions for a Washington beach in April.

We headed straight to the beach – a short five minute walk from our campsite. The beaches at Grayland aren’t rocky like some – lots of nice soft sand, driftwood and shells.

And crab. Lots of crab shells laying around, which Liam enjoyed playing with.

Liam spent most of his time beach-combing – he was so excited to find treasures in the sand. Shore birds flew overhead – but his eyes were on the prize – any type of rock, shell, driftwood – he found all sorts of beauty from the beach.

And he was so proud of them. This boy was made for this kind of thing.

Razor clam shells were everywhere and there were lots of people who were clamming. People were getting their limits every morning! We didn’t razor clam this time – I would like to next time we go, but this time we had enough to focus on with getting acquainted with the trailer – so we just enjoyed watching others!

Since it was spring break, there were lots of young kids at neighboring campsites. Our kids wasted no time making “best friends” with the other kids. We were in a “round-about” of campsites – the middle of the circle was a kid’s paradise – trees to climb, bushes to hide in, hills to bike down. The kids spent a lot of time playing hide-and-seek with friends in this area.

We wrapped up our first day with a campfire, roasted hot dogs, s’mores. . .

. .  Liam reading to us by the campfire, and star watching before we FELL into beds exhausted.

On the afternoon of our second day at Grayland Beach State Park, we pulled out the kites! The kids had been begging to take them out and the weather was perfect for it – not too windy and still warm and sunny.

My sweet girl – tired after a long morning of running around in the sand – she looks like she’s in deep thought as she flies her butterfly kite.

Our second night I had a dear friend from nearby Hoquiam come for dinner! Our kids had a BLAST playing together and even though I’d been telling my kids to stay out of the water all day – it’s cold! – they all ended up running around in it together. While most adults would be cringing the kids couldn’t stop laughing and giggling as they were jumped into, and ran away from, the waves. Sometimes you can’t worry about the mud, the mess and the mayhem – you just gotta let kids be kids. So I did.

But Hadley ended up tripping into a wave and getting completely soaked head-to-toe 🙂 With the sun setting, I was worried it would get too cold for her, so we headed back to camp where I gave each of the kids warm showers and put them in their pjs. They ended up playing outside long after the sunset – with their friends – in their pjs, wearing headlamps and building forts on the perimeter of the campsite. It was exactly how I’d want them to remember their first real camping trip.

This was my first “meal” I prepped in the tiny Airstream kitchen. Homemade salsa and guacamole. And not pictured was some baked Beecher’s baked macaroni and cheese (don’t be too impressed, it was from Costco – baby steps, my friends, baby steps). The kitchen area is definitely going to take some getting used to – but I think we’ll manage just fine.

In fact – it’s all going to take some adjusting – but it’s an adjusting that I’m looking forward to. Swapping the stuff, the excess, the 9-5, the complicated schedules – for simple family time, adventure, nature, fresh air and intentional living.

We spotted this snail on the way to the beach one morning. And I think it symbolizes two things for me – coming out of our shell to find the courage to break from the status quo; and the slower pace of life that we’ll hopefully experience on the road.

The memories we made this first trip were magical. The time we spent together – as a family – immersed in nature and engaged with each other, was just the sort of reason why we’re planning this year-long trip around the country. The trip solidified my faith in our choice – gave me courage and reassurance that we can do this – and that we’re going to have many magical memories along the way. . . .