We made another trek up to my family's camp in NH last week. All five of us. Only five of us. I'm not sure how many years it's been since all five of us went up, or even if it's ever happened. And I'm not sure if we've gone without additional adult support (one or both of my parents) to help, even with just two of our three kids. The camp itself can be a handful as it's off-the-grid.

We had blocked out three days and two nights to make the journey up there. We finally decided to give it a go and bring Pookie along. With no electricity all of her favorite activities are not available, but we had our ukulele and her jogger and a swing. And she's a very content kid. To be honest, she surprised us. But that's a story for another day.

As we approached from the west along the Kancamagus we discovered that the gates were still closed on a 1.5 mile stretch of the road leading to the camp. We'd have to drive 25 minutes around the long way. Dee Dee, Little Dudely and I decided to walk in while Dad and Pookie drove around.

It's not a 25 minute walk under any conditions, but after spending four hours in the car and then bursting out into a stunning early spring day, well, it stretches out and becomes an hour long walk. The kids climbed the big rock face just on the other side of the covered bridge then collected all sort of treasures on our way down the road. Pine cones of several varieties and in several stages of opening. Sticks. Rocks. Lichen covered bark. Big sheaths and rolls of birch bark. We stopped to listen to the day. The river. The wind in the tree tops. Birds. Dry oak leaves rustling along the ground. A squirrel scurrying somewhere. We talked about places we'd visited along the road back in January, in the snow. Places that we'd visited years before when Little Dudely was just toddling and mostly bald. We stopped at the brook rushing under the bridge. We listened to the different sounds of the water falling over the rocks in different places. We inspected the remaining snow, and laughed about all the dog poops melting out of it. We kicked at and slipped on the slushy ice.

Dad and Pookie had arrived at the camp, opened it up, unloaded the car, got the generator started and pumped water all before we tripped up the driveway with our armfuls of treasures. It was a good day.

The next afternoon we split up again. Dad took Pookie in her jogger for a walk up to the Covered Bridge and back along the same stretch of road the others of us had walked the day before. Meanwhile I led Dee Dee and Little Dudely in their brand new hiking shoes up the trail to Woodchuck Ledge. We went slowly, stopping frequently as it's a steep climb and the footing is often uncertain. We rested at the Lower Ledges as is customary, then continued on up.

It took 45 minutes including our breaks. It isn't a mountain, but it is the steepest, most rugged climb my kids have accomplished. And it's an important hike in our family. We tally our ascents of Woodchuck Ledge on a chalk board at the camp. This was a momentous occasion. I allowed Dee Dee and Little Dudely to call Poppa and Grammy from the ledge. It's one place you can actually get cell phone reception near(ish) to the camp. And I took pictures to document their achievement.

I have to admit it felt a bit odd to be pulling out a cell phone in this wonderful, private, natural spot. But it felt great to listen to Dee Dee announce to Poppa that she was calling from Woodchuck Ledge. I think he was quite pleased, gratified and surprised to hear of their conquest.

Dee Dee almost immediately starting asking when we were heading back down. Little Dudely sat quietly and declared that he liked just sitting up there. It's quite a view and a truly serene location - looking over the Swift River Valley and across to Mount Chocorua. And it was beautiful and warm and breezy.

Little Dudely finally agreed to head back down when I reminded him of the marshmallow roast we had planned for after our return. Personally, I could have spent as long as he wanted just sitting quietly, but Dee Dee was really ready to go. We agreed to carry up a picnic next time and just chill for awhile up there on the ledge.

My kids discovered that down can be as hard as up. We picked our way down carefully. We paused for breaks and again rested at the Lower Ledges. 45 minutes later we emerged back at the camp. Pleased and proud. Dad and Pookie had enjoyed a blissful walk and Dad was singing and playing ukulele for Pookie when we arrived. Everybody was ready for the marshmallow roast... It was a good day.