Sunset Beach | Union Valley Reservoir

This is our last camp trip for maybe the next 2 years. That's a long time considering that we camp almost every 2 months (sometimes more often). When we arrived, it felt very familiar. Hubby had said we camped at the site next to this one before (5 years ago). After awhile, I realized it was the same site. Our oldest was only 1.5 at the time and we still had our old trailer and truck. 

It is a very nice camp ground and there are a lot of sites along the Resevior. Ours was next to a little beach area. 

When we were here 5 years ago, it was late in the season and the water had gotten really low. The water was still pretty full this year since it's only July. 

We compared a few photos and noticed all the cool changes with the site. The picnic table was moved and a giant stump was missing. Trees grew, others fallen or brojen down. It was really cool comparing the photos. 

His youngest brother is about the same age right now. 

South Shore Campground

South Shore Campground is located next to Lower Bear River Reservoir in the El Dorado National Forest. It's a prime location for fishing and boating.

We booked this site last minute. We had to cancel a trip a week ago and since it was Memorial Weekend, we got lucky that this campground had availability. 

It was a little scary driving up there at night because we had to wait until hubby got off work. The other thing that almost stopped us from going was that the oldest and youngest started having a fever 2 days before. We decided to go and if needed, come back home. When we're out there camping, we're pretty much in a house in the trailer any way. My oldest still had a fever the next morning but that was the end of his fever and even before we left home, he was acting normal which is unusual because every time he has a fever (even a low one), he would just lay there complaining that he's cold. He has a molar coming in so I wondered if that was why he was having fevers. My youngest stopped his low grade fevers but started to lose his appetite. He was grumpy and wouldn't eat so I stayed with him in the trailer most of the time or held him when we were outside. He wasn't in the mood to explore although he did a little exploring.

Overall the trip went well.

The site was pretty much away from all the other sites on the loop. It was large and I mean, very spacious. I was a little concerned about how uneven it was but since the little one mostly wanted to be held, he didn't walk around on uneven grounds much. I wasn't too worried about the older 2 running around.

There was a little stream of water running through the site where the 2 boys spent most of their time hanging out if they weren't warming up by the fire pit. Oh and I just love lower fire pits. It keeps you warmer!

The site was tucked in near the Lower Bear River Reservoir. There were lots of folks fishing and in boats/kayaks. Oh I miss our kayaks! There really wasn't a nice "beach" area for the kids. We didn't explore every shore so there may have been one, we just didn't find it.

Ed Z'berg Sugar Pine Point SP

We tried this new spot Labor Day weekend earlier this month. I was sad we didn't bring bikes for the boys because it was the perfect spot for it. We were thinking it might be bills like D.L. Bliss. This trip was just us... the sites were nice and there's tons of trails. The only odd thing (for me) was that all the showers were in one place. We had to drive to it because we weren't that close to it. I also noticed there weren't a lot of bathrooms. Maybe we just happened to get a site that was tucked in the corner. 

There was a trail to the creek behind our site which I thought was cool. I went down there when we arrived with Logan and Dustin strapped to my back while hubby was unpacking. I left my 2 year old because I can't keep an eye on all of them! It was rather a steep walk down so I knew it would be hard to come up (since baby was on my back!).

We drove to the beach the next day. It was a very short drive. A lot of people rode their bikes to the beach. It wasn't that great of a beach (to me). We had to park in a parking lot and there was more walking than I'd like (with 3 kids) to get to the beach. So we didn't even bring the snacks, beach toys, etc. There were a lot of rocks too. I'm a sandy beach kind of person. ^_^

The day after that, we went to another Meeks Bay Beach the next day and I really liked this beach... The kids had a great time! There was still more rocks than I'd like but I guess that doesn't really matter to the kids!

S'mores are the best thing for the kids... I suppose. Connor got sugar-high and was running around like crazy!

One morning, I took a walk with the two oldest on the trail behind us...

We took walks around the camp ground (since we had no bikes)

Other photos...

I had no idea to operate the water haha. silly me. Hubby had to show me. DOH!

Brannan Island State Recreation Area

We had reservations to go to Nevada State Beach but the weather man said it was going to snow! Snow? I don't think so! So, we decided to go somewhere nearby. The boys have been having colds ever since starting preschool. It's been rough on everyone because sometimes the cold is bad... with fevers and breathing issues (Asthma).

We camped at Brannan Island SRA last year in February (2014) with our fifth wheel for the first time. The weather was good. The grass was green and it was an "okay" place close to home. 

When we arrived this time, the grass was brown. It was windy. And I got pink eye. That's another story.

My friend went fishing and caught a few but were too small and had to throw it back.

The boys had a lot of fun but I wasn't too impressed. That's all I have to say about it.