Camping with Witt family always memorable

Bill Witt proposed the event several months ago.

"Join us at Confluence State Park, Friday and Saturday, May 4 and 5," He said. "We have Site 24 reserved."

When he said us, he signified his wife, Judy, and their son, Kevin.

I went online and reserved Site 22 from Thursday through Sunday. My wife, Garnet, and I vowed to arrive a day early and leave a day after the Witt's. The state park name signifies the place where the Wenatchee River flows into the Columbia River.

We have taken several camping trips with the Witt's over the years. At first we were tent campers and the Witt's had a pop-up or tent trailer.

One memorable trip was to Kaner Flat Campground, which we used as a base camp. Bill had researched the area and proposed a couple excursions from this camping spot.

One was up a local hill or mountain to a place called Raven's Roost. We headed out from the campground and ended up on a road which climbed up and up and up, but finally broke on top of the place.

It was a flat about 100 yards in diameter, with the top of a pointed mountain chopped off. This spot provided a wonderful view of Mt. Rainier, which seemed to tower over us in a majestic fashion. Below, on the steep slope, a herd of elk was located. The views in every direction were incredible and unforgettable; this was an experience to last a lifetime.  

The next day we traveled to a parking lot, climbed a half-mile-long trail and entered a cave. There was a small stream down the middle and somewhat of a trail to follow.

We were ill-equipped for light, as each of us should have had a flashlight or headlamp, but had just one or two in the group. We walked or staggered the length of the cave and out the bottom, which was near the parking lot. This was another enjoyable experience.

During one of these outings, Kevin ran ahead of the group and jumped on a rotting log. The action awakened a nest of hornets which immediately began to bite him and the rest of us who tried to brush the bugs off his body. Only a hasty retreat to the vehicles stopped the attack. Although this event was not enjoyable, it was certainly memorable.  

Confluence State Park                                                                                                             

Garnet and I established camp on Thursday as planned and enjoyed a steak and macaroni salad evening meal. We lounged around the campsite Friday morning, but soon Garnet browned a pork shoulder roast and placed it in a slow cooker. At the appropriate time, onions, potatoes and carrots were added.

The Witt's pulled into Site 24 at about 7 p.m. Setting up their trailer didn't take long with many hands assisting.

We relaxed over hors d'oeuvres, catching up on what has been happening in our lives. Windy, chilly weather prevented a visit outside and around a campfire.

The roast was served, along with the carrots, potatoes and onions, plus a green salad.

The evening also provided a chance to celebrate Bill's birthday, with banana split ice cream and mini chocolate cupcakes.

As part of the celebration, he received a Buck Knife, a rechargeable ZipVac machine to vacuum-seal food items, two Camp Chef pot holders and an angler's rectal thermometer.

This gag gift has two hooks positioned to allow insertion of the instrument, but removal would be difficult.

We traveled back to Moses Lake for the Saturday radio show, as the Witt's pursued the favorite family pastime of geocaching.

Upon our return, we joined them to find a geocache within the park.

Bill was slated to cook the Saturday evening meal. Cornish game hens with all the trimmings were his choice of food, plus Judy provided a green salad and dressings.

He placed a Camp Chef flame tamer on a gas camp stove burner, set a 14-inch Dutch oven on the stove and placed a Dutch Oven Dome over the oven.

The dome traps and circulates the heat from the burner, creating a convection oven.

I was concerned the meal might take three hours or more to fully cook, but Bill was aiming for two hours.

Bill checked the birds often and declared the meal ready to eat after only 90 minutes, surprising all of us.

The wind again prohibited an evening fire, but Sunday morning the air was calm and Bill joined Garnet and me around the fire. Garnet cooked a pancake, egg and sausage breakfast before we helped them break camp.

We waved goodbye as they drove out of Site 24. Another memorable camping trip with the Witt family was complete.