Friends, we just finished a truly relaxing week at the lodge in the redwoods that we look forward to EVERY year. I swear, we were all hanging on by a thread by the time Thanksgiving rolled around and we said over and over to anyone who would listen “I have to get to the lodge. I can’t wait to get to the lodge”. Or maybe that’s just me and Ruth. No, I don’t think it is because my kids were saying it too!

There is something so reassuring and simple about getting away from EVERYTHING (jobs, phones, internet, the news, chores, classmates – ALL OF IT) and we drink in our time there like a giant mug of hot chocolate every time we go. Also, we actually drink a lot of hot chocolate while we are there so that analogy seems even more appropriate now that I have typed it :). Also, the entire Bay Area had been covered in a thick blanket of smoke from the horrific Camp Fire and after 13 days of toxic air (like literally toxic air; it showed “Unhealthy” AQI for almost two weeks) we were desperate to get to cleaner air. The air was clean but oh my gosh the first two days were SO cold!

This is our fourth (I think?) Thanksgiving at Camp Liahona Redwoods, located in Annapolis, California just a few miles from the coast and close to Gualala. It is in this place that time and life stand still. It is here that we can recharge and recuperate from life, where we can sit around and have both deep conversation and ridiculous fits of laughter all while dressed in a thrown together uniform of pajamas and lounge wear while eating copious amounts of whatever we want (usually a lot of chips and sodas and candy and chocolate and hot chocolate and bread items. On repeat). In short, it is perfect. Throw in the clean air, the majestic redwoods, lack of other people, foggy mornings and crisp cool nights, TONS of games and crafting and basically, it is an environment we are hungry for all year and can’t wait to return to as soon as it is over.

We have developed some tried and true traditions over the years of decamping to the redwoods: a full turkey and ham dinner, Abuelita hot chocolate, epic card games, coloring pages and messy crafts, trips to the coast, family talent shows featuring both rap karaoke and dramatic readings, softball games, trail runs, long naps and big pancake breakfasts to name just a few. Each time we go, we add a few more favorites to the list. This year we threw in embroidery, latch hooking and loom weaving (we are a very crafty group), teepee building, a few new games, mulled cider (buy the stuff from Ikea because it is by far the best) and kayaking.

We went up as always with the Clawsons who are both family and friends (isn’t it nice when life works that way?), the Ben and Rachel Nielsens family with their two toddlers, Thomas and his brand new fiance Elizabeth and our friends Sandra and Andrew (who we affectionately refer to as San Andreas) who live in San Francisco. All of us were grateful for clean air and the forecast of badly needed rain which downpoured in spectacular fashion on Thanksgiving day. To see prayers for rain answered in such a visible manner on a day of Thanksgiving will be something I always remember.

I wish I had photos to convey how hard it was raining at times but truth be told, we were so happy to be warm and cozy in our main lodge listening to the rain on the roof. Other than our time with family, that is my happiest memory of our time at the lodge. Give me all of the rain PLEASE!

We took a few side trips to the coast before things got too rainy. Gualala is such a cute, tiny town with the best ocean views. My girls and I had some pretty stellar nachos at a little Mexican restaurant next to the town grocery store; I am still thinking about them.

On our way back from one trip to the coast, Sophie looked out the window and taking in vast expanse of blue sky, trees and fresh air exclaimed loudly “I love God! He made all of this for me!” Seriously, we will NEVER take clean air for granted again. I pulled over so that she could get out and soak it all up and she ended up running down the hill to REALLY soak it all up. We definitely needed a break from the smoke, can you tell?

Back at camp we spent equal amounts of time outdoors as we did inside. We made good use of the baseball field for catch, soccer and just plain running around. All of the kids slept good.

The time together was full and fun and way too short. I think there were 18 of us and it never felt crowded; we had the best time. Until we meet again, Camp Liahona Redwoods. Thank you for making our Thanksgiving 2018 memorable and restorative!