Christy's last camp-out before she returns to school for the fall semester. We decided, I mean I decided, to explore the China Meadows and Poison Mountain area since this will be my destination for the fall deer and elk hunt. We found a nice little dispersed camping spot along the East Fork of the Smiths Fork river that had wonderful views of a lush green meadow. Between China Meadows and Poison Mountain is Henry's Fork which is the main area for Kings Peak seekers. So to miss the crowds we camped in our little meadow and drove over to Poison Mountain.
As soon as the trailer was set up and the girls got in I could tell immediately that someone was excited to be camping again!
Soon the sun went down and the forest began to creek with the sound of crickets. A slight breeze brought in some cool air and before long a crackle of a fire broke the silent sounds of the forest.
The following day we loaded up and drove over to Poison Mountain. This area will be the hot spot for me in October. Scouting out the area and driving the roads to see what I need to do to bring home some yummy elk meat. Before too long Christy started feeling car sick. I don't know why, she looovvveeeesssssss four wheeling!! (Yes, that is me being sarcastic). So we stopped at a trailhead and signed in. West Beaver. Beaver Creek Trail. 
We had no destination just started hiking. We followed mostly an old logging road. At times we came upon cut-out areas that had regrowth of four to six feet tall lodge-pole pines.
The hike was about 2 miles in. The trail go's in about 10 miles or so to Gilbert Lake, which sits right below Gilbert Peak (one of the peaks I hiked last year for the "30th year extravaganza-bonanza-she won't let me do that again adventure!").
After the short hike to resettle our muscles (or stomachs), a trip back over to China Meadows and a swim in State Line Reservoir. Once the girls had their swim it was back to camp. The girls were so tired they plopped right down in the dirt and crashed.
Sassy never gets comfortable on solid ground. She is a very spoiled lab and likes to hang out on couch's, beds, chairs, laps, etc. So the dirt wasn't to her standard. I let her into the trailer and as soon as that happened Tasha was right there too. So they were both inside as Christy and I hung out by the fire. After about 30 minutes or so I hear Sassy giving a really low and deep "ruff." I look over by the trailer and see she is pointed on something in the tree line. I immediately focused on what she saw. Within minutes we had a moose walking through camp followed by a bull moose with big beautiful spoons. As we let them pass and head into the meadow I pulled out the spotting scope. We had about 15 minutes before it got too dark for our wildlife viewing pleasure.
After it was all said and done it was time for bed. As I headed into the trailer I couldn't help to see two wonderful kids sacked out on my bed from a fun day of hard play. Needless to say, they slept with us that night instead of their own bed. We couldn't resist, they were too cute and cuddly.
The trip was a success. Christy went back to school refreshed and ready to go. I was able to scope out the hunting area and another hike was accomplished. As I am writing this I have thoughts of spending some money and buying a really big truck so I can pull a HUGE trailer. That way everyone can join us next time and enjoy the gifts god has given us to enjoy. Unfortunately it will never happen because I watched the Democratic National Convention last night and now I want a Prius while installing my new solar panels on the roof as I wait for my compost pile of coffee beans to generate some heat for the new dryer!!! Don't we live in some interesting times?
