Never too late to start

                If you’ve never been camping before, guess what, it is never too late to start. After 31 years of ultra-urban living, I finally ventured out for my first true overnight outdoor experience. In order to get acclimated to what camping is all about I would highly recommend starting with a car-camping trip, providing a beginner outdoor-enthusiast with some added comfort and re-assurance.

                The idea of camping came about slowly, prompted by pleasurable day hikes and explorations. The hikes became longer and the trips more frequent. One thing led to another and we somehow came to the conclusion that we were ready to start camping. After hours of research, mostly by me because I love that type of stuff, I finally found the essential gear my family would need to make our experience as enjoyable as possible.

The four of us headed out towards Mt. St. Helens for our first adventure in the middle of summer hoping for plenty of sun. Unfortunately, the weather is quite unpredictable in the Pacific Northwest. For the two day one night trip, it poured and poured and poured. Luckily, we were prepared and ready for the unexpected change. The big advantage of car camping is the ability to pack a whole lot more, versus backpack camping where you only want to bring what is necessary, otherwise you’ll find yourself lugging a whole lot of extra weight.

Fortunately for us, building a blazing fire in the rain was a doable chore. That provided the warmth, while the surroundings provided the entertainment. The kids ran, jumped, and dashed around in the woods, finding something exciting at every step along the way. Considering that our first camping trip was greeted by relentless showers, the four of us had a blast and I knew then that this was the start of something special.

            
That post was from our first family camping trip in July of 2010.

Seaquest State Park is a 475-acre, year-round camping park near Mount St. Helens. The beautifully forested park claims over a mile of Silver Lake shoreline, a shallow wetland lake. Enjoy one mile of wetland trail and six miles of woodland trails for hiking and bicycling; see spectacular views of wildlife, Silver Lake and the surrounding area. There are also children's play areas and playing fields. Great seasonal fishing, boating and swimming are available nearby.

The Mount St. Helens Visitor Center is located across the road from the park entrance. It was incorporated into the state park system in October 2000. The center focuses on information about the volcano and features a first-rate exhibition hall and a 15-minute film presentation of the 1980 eruption. May 1 to Sept. 30: Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Park hours/updates:
The park is open year round for camping and day use. Some campsites are closed in the winter.

Summer: 8 a.m. to dusk.
Winter: 8 a.m. to dusk.

Camping:
Check-in time, 2:30 p.m.
Check-out time, 1 p.m.

Reservations can be made on the Washington State Park site.