Doran Regional Park

Oh we LOVE Doran Beach. In fact, as much as we love Wrights Beach, we ALWAYS come to Doran Beach during our stay at Wrights Beach... Simply because the beach is nice & not to mention, much safer than Wrights Beach (which you're not even supposed to go near the ocean there).

We've camped here before but this time, it was my youngest son's first camp trip. He turned 4 months earlier this month. We haven't camped during the winter months before but ever since we upgraded to our fifth wheel, why not? :)

We stayed at site #43. It was the perfect size for us. It backs up to Bodega Bay. Since we're already close to other sites, we try to pick a site with the least amount  of sites nearby. 

There was a big storm the week prior to our trip so a lot of people canceled. There were puddles of water in a lot of sites so it was a quiet weekend. Since it was our first time camping with all 3 boys, we didn't get there until 5pm (packing and getting ready is challenging). We had a mini detour along the way due to flooding in the highway. 

It rained pretty good that night so we stayed in and watched movies. It's a good thing we bought a TV before this trip (we knew we might end up indoors). Saturday was clear. Although it was chilly (it is winter after all) we bundled up and walked around. Hubby even went crabbing with our oldest at the Bodega Pier while I stayed with the two little nappers. We were able to make a fire and hang out outside for a little while.

Out on Doran Beach

Behind our site looking out at Bodega Bay

Behind our site looking out at Bodega Bay

Clam shells everywhere!

I look forward to coming back next year when the weather is better and sitting at the beach watching the boys play with sand....

Speaking of sand, this was the first time my oldest was able to make sand castles with his toys without it falling apart. He was so excited! I almost felt like a kid myself feeling so excited for him!

Setting up the tripod, I finally have photos of us enjoying the fire.

Hanging around the tree at our site

I gave Connor the buckets and he took off. 

I was wondering where he was going. 

He was pointing to the beach! haha silly guy!

Only caught 2 crabs

Donner Memorial State Park (CA)

I planned the first family trip with my side of the family this year. I did this before I got pregnant and reservations are made 6 months in advance with Reserve America for California State Parks. 

I thought about canceling it but I wondered if I could get this many people together... Again. Plus it was my husband's birthday & he absolutely loves camping. 

Donner is an easy drive near Truckee. It's about 2 hours from the Sacramento area pulling a fifth wheel... Less in a car. 

It's easy to find and the town is so close, you can pick anything up if you need or forgot something. 

The campgrounds are nice. Since it's reserved by specific sites, we usually know which one we want when reserving. The bathrooms are clean & coin operated showers are very nice too. 

There are hiking trails and boat rentals near the lake. We usually hang out at the beach on the lake. It gets packed so we go there early :) we don't hike anymore now that we have kids (we were never really hikers anyway... Too lazy I guess. Haha).

There's plenty of picnic areas too for campers & day users. 

We were at site #90 & #91 & there is a creek right behind us and a trail. There's a pond on the other side of the loop but we never made it there. 

There was a thunderstorm warning for the weekend but it only rained a lot the last day. The kids still had fun. By then my family had already left so they got lucky ;)

My niece & son(s) in our camp site.

My boys. It was VERY hot & humid because of the thunderstorm.

At the bridge behind our site. There's a creek that runs under it. 

At a small field next door (there are no neighbors on one side of site #90).

Our last day. These are taken at our site and right behind it. Look how big I am (32 weeks). It's another reason why we didn't do anything that last day. Plus, I'm so clumsy, not only did I fall out of the fifth wheel, I also twisted my ankle! This was diffinetly the last trip before the baby arrives. Don't worry, I went to labor & delivery for a FULL check up as soon as I got home & baby & I are doing good!

Daddy and my oldest at the lake. They have so much fun together. Can't wait till all the boys get older and play together.

Rain on our last day (it started around 5pm). This is near the big split rock & pond. 

Jumping in puddles back at our camp site. 

These are my beautiful sisters & usually how we pose haha 

So it's good to be a little silly sometimes

I'm glad my parents were able to make it and had a good time.