Does this look familiar? The girls napping in their car seats in the van with the freeway zooming past us outside the window while towing the Airstream. Well, we are on another trip. And this time, we are going back to Lake Casitas.
Last time we went camping at Lake Casitas was during August of 2009. Almost exactly a year ago. It’s not really a coincidence that we are back here again. Actually, this trip was booked before we even left from our cross country trip.
Lake Casitas is just about 20 minutes up towards Ojai on Highway 33 from our house. Last time we came here for our friend Justin’s son’s birthday. He is a few months older than Ava and nowadays, goes to the same school as her. We have known Justin for many years dating back when we lived in Santa Barbara well before Marlene and I were married.
Lake Casitas is a county park in Ventura with many campgrounds varying in size and options throughout the park. Last time we were here, we camped hear the entrance of the park not too close to the lake. The lake is a local drinking water supply so people are not allowed to swim in it. Only boats with 4 stroke motors are allowed. And even then, you need to go through a 10 day quarantine process at these lakes due to an outbreak of foreign mussels apparently wreaking havoc on the ecosystem.
This time, we decided to camp at another site on the other side of the lake with direct access to the lake. We picked a large corner site so we would have plenty of room to stretch out. The biggest difference between these sites aside from proximity to the lake is the surface of the ground. We are dealing with basically dry and dusty dirt at every site. If you have camped in these types of campgrounds, you know that sooner or later, everything is covered with a film of dust.
Shortly after we arrived, Justin and the boys showed up all ready to go with their fishing poles. Last year they camped in tents and this time they decided to rent a travel trailer for the weekend. The lake has an on-site trailer rental company who will drop off and pick up trailers for a fee for someone looking for a little step up from roughing it old school. I wasn’t cheap but for someone who wants to give it a shot before investing in a trailer, it isn’t a bad way to go.
“Catch me a big one, Ava. We are counting on you for dinner. No pressure.”
Mila and Gabriel got reacquainted in no time flat. “Wassup, Gabe, what kinda toy you got there?”
“Nuthin’ special, just something from my toy pirate ship. I dig your polka dot hoodie. It’s da bomb.”
We didn’t waste anytime getting a fire going. The kids were excited about roasting some marshmallows. Although shortly after these photos, Matheus got a little close to the fire and a little sizzle on the back of his leg from the ring. We called it a night and decided to regroup the next day.
Hey! Are you still there? OK, good, ‘cus we are gonna power through this. Now on to day 2…
A few more of Justin’s buddies showed up on the second day. Justin’s wife Isabella is from Brazil and many of their friends are Brazilians who live in the area. We don’t hang out with them much but when we do, the activities typically get very culturally Brazilian which is a nice change of pace for us.
Matheus got a little bandage on his burn from last night and was ready to mingle with the wildlife bright and early.
His high intensity Brazilian energy got this little squirrel to look for cover in my wheel well.
Between all of the family here at the lake, there are close to a dozen kids of all ages. One of the great thing about kids is that they don’t need much time to get acquainted. Ava has met many if not all of them at one time or another before but they got right into the mix.
The fun even infected the adults when my buddy Dan busted out the guitar and his Beatles song book.
The campfire music went well into the night with flashlights, a roaring fire and blurry guitar hands.
Here is the crew. I don’t remember some of their names but the only face you can’t see is the birthday boy Matheus. To his right, Pedro, who is the oldest boy of the bunch just can not be bothered with a group picture. I am sure he was mumbling something this camping trip being lame.
But even lame birthday party come complete with cake and party favors.
Happy birthday Matheus! Thanks for having us and hope you like the present we… oh, you are already wearing it. That’s even better!
over and out,
dan
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