No Lions, no tigers, A BEAR - oh my!!

The following article from the local news is the reason behind our unplanned camping adventure.

Bear caught near Payson Lakes campgrounds put down

July 22nd, 2010 @ 1:02pm

By Becky Bruce

UINTA NATIONAL FOREST -- A busy Utah campground will be open again just in time for Pioneer Day weekend, now that an aggressive bear is out of the picture.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources confirms the problem bear at Payson Lakes was put down within hours ofthe encounter that alarmed the agency.

Conservation Outreach Manager Scott Root says the bear showed absolutely no fear of people and had clearly found that the campsites provided an easy food source.

"[It] had jumped up on a car and done some damage," Root says. "When the campers started making noise like they should have done to make it scare away, this thing just would not, it would not go away."

More than 100 campsites at Payson Lakes had to be closed because of the bear's close encounter with those campers. Root says the likely culprit was the attraction of food.

"Keep your food in your vehicles, in the trunk, in airtight plastic -- whatever you can do. But don't store it in your tents," he advises.

He says anything with a scent, not just food, can attract bears.

"Toothpaste, deodorants," Root says. "The big thing is people like to have little snacks in their tent."

In addition to making a lot of noise, he says if you come face to face with a bear, you should raise or wave your arms to make yourself appear as big as possible, stand your ground rather than run, and if attacked, put up a fight.

We had reservations at a Payson Lakes campground and we thought we'd just wait a few days until they reopened the campground. However, after thinking about it, we decided to find another campground. Our motivation for the decision was that this would be our first family trip and our boys' first camping experience, not to mention the fact that we were already packed up and ready to go. Also, JT had taken two days off of work (which couldn't be changed at this point). So, after searching online and by telephone, we found another location in Ogden. The drawback to this place was that most of the campsites were reserved for the upcoming holiday weekend (Pioneer Day). After talking to the owner, we decided to give it a try since we were going up on Wednesday when it would be less crowded and maybe find some campsites that were open for a few days, before the big weekend.

Willard Bay State Park (North Marina)

Location:	Ogden
Address:	Ogden-15 mi N on I-15 (exit 360 Ogden, UT

Campground Amenities

• Tent Sites
• RV Sites
• Group Sites
• Drinking Water
• Flush Toilets
• Showers

So, about 5 p.m., after JT returned home from work, we loaded the car with our camping essentials. It was blazing hot out, but we were ready to go. The car ride turned out to be a scorcher since the a/c wasn't working, but our excitement for the trip kept us in good spirits.

Logan is excited that we're on our way!

Levi is excited, too and enjoyed sharing the backseat with Logan "Gee-Gee".
Before entering the freeway, we stopped for gasoline. At the gas pump, next to our car, was this sight. I found it funny and picture worthy.
Logan wanted to take a picture of me in the front seat as we waited for daddy to fill the gas tank.
Daddy joined me and Logan took another picture.
And another, this time, getting us both in the shot. :)
We also stopped at a few stores to get a few more things for the trip. When we were back on the road, the boys were hot and exhausted. It was about a 45 minute ride to meet Mom and Bill at their house. Levi began falling asleep and I propped my pillow up for him to lie on.
Logan also fell asleep on the way.
After a while of packing up Grandma and Grandpa Davis' (a.k.a. Mom and Bill) car, we were ready to head to Ogden. I don't think we could've fit one more thing in their car. :) That's some good, organized packing.
Mom and Bill are ready to go!
Doh, Bill forgot something in the garage. But THEN we were ready to go.
Storm clouds started to roll in.
Gorgeous picture of downtown SLC.
I love storm clouds and had to take another picture.
The red rock was a pretty sight.
Levi waking from a short car nap.
Logan woke up, too.
Aw, there's the smile I was hoping for.
Logan was playing the little piano for us.
I don't remember, now, which city this was, but it was neat and picture worthy.
The tree snuck up on me as I attempted a picture of the Bountiful Temple.
You can see the Temple spire in this one.
Ah, managed to get a clear shot of the temple. That's where our family was sealed in 2005!

Over the rainbow, way up high...
We passed a really, really long train.
We were getting close to the campground and decided that because it was so late, we should eat dinner at Taco Bell.
We arrived to the campgrounds when it was pitch dark. We looked around for an open campsite and set up our tents by flashlight and moonlight. It was incredibly hot during the night, which we didn't expect, and so we let the boys catch up on sleep that morning.
Logan and Levi catching some zzz's in our tent.
Our tent on the left and Mom and Bill's on the right. Upon waking up, I said, "so THIS is where we are", since it was dark when we arrived the night before.
You can't see, but Logan is just waking up. I wanted to capture his first reaction to his first morning camping.
Right after I took this picture, Logan sat up, excitedly, looked around and couldn't wait to explore. He wanted to share the experience with Levi, so he woke Levi right away.
Here is one of the trails heading from our campsite.
We saw a stream as we explored our surroundings.
JT, Logan, Levi looking at the different plants.
Levi wanted to keep going and pointed which direction to go.
Amazing sights!
Logan stopped for a picture near the stream.
This lake was across the road from where we set up our tents.
JT watching as Levi threw rocks in the water - "wotty".
Logan was skipping rocks and having fun.
JT caught a dragonfly.
After early morning exploring, we headed back to the campsite where we found Mom and Bill preparing a yummy breakfast. Here, the bacon is cooking. It smelled SO good!
Mom is getting things ready at the table.
They fried some biscuits, which were delicious!!
JT and the boys are enjoying strawberry milk.
I am preparing the boys first camp breakfast. Lucky Charms cereal.

Happy boys!
Boys' breakfast time!

Boys finished their breakfast and were ready for mommy cuddles.
I LOVE Levi's and Logan's face here. You can tell Levi is still tired and JT told Logan to smile for the picture, which is what he did.
Levi wanted daddy to hold him.
Mom, flipping the biscuits.
Now, flipping the bacon.
It's almost done cooking!
JT and the boys.
The squirrel smelled the food cooking and decided to try and join us.


There he goes, back to the bushes.
Nope, he came back.
Logan's squirrel watching.
He's back!
He got really close to Logan.
After he ran back into the bushes, again, JT and Logan were trying to call him out by mimicking squirrel chatter.
BUBBLES!!
Logan is trying to find diggable dirt.
Levi started digging , too.
Levi thinks this dirt isn't very diggable.
Bill, post-delicious-breakfast. JT is in the background, at that big tree, thinking about climbing it.
He called Bill over and explained his plan as Logan looked on.
JT getting a boost from Bill.
JT made it up.
He's starting to go higher, but after a few branches falling, I didn't think it was a good idea.
JT agreed. He started coming down as Mom took Levi over to see what was going on.
Bill brought Logan and Levi their chairs so they could sit and watch JT along with Mom. JT started backing down here.
Mom, Bill, Logan, Levi. JT was still in the tree.
Contemplating his ascent.
Logan.

Logan and Levi enjoying a mid-morning snack of Cheeto's.
Bill and Mom watching the helicopter overhead.
Me, JT, Levi, relaxing.
Shelli (me) and JT.
Levi was sharing his Cheeto's with Bill, who had plenty and told Levi to share with his daddy and others. It was funny.
After we saw the reserved sign on our campsite post, we looked at nearby sites, hoping to find an unreserved one. Here's mom checking things out.
We stopped at the lake side and saw this sailboat.
Levi and Logan talking about the rocks and lake.
Mom and JT admiring the lake.
Levi and Logan getting closer to the water's edge.
Grandma watching Levi throw rocks into the lake.
Logan asked Daddy to skip rocks and then Logan started trying.
Logan and JT watching skipping rocks.
A rock, skipping.
Logan and Levi decided to enter the water.


JT followed.
Logan is going deeper now.
JT and Levi leading the way for Logan.
We received a phone call from Payson Lakes Campsite and they told us the bear was captured and it was now safe to camp there. Because we had already paid for a reservation there, we decided to head up there. We didn't have a guaranteed spot at Willard, anyway. After using the campground showers and packing up our belongings, we were on the road again, this time to Payson. In this picture, Logan fell asleep during the 3 hour car ride, with his sunglasses on.

JT, Levi, and Logan (in front) checking out the new campgrounds.
At the bottom of a trail that led from our campgrounds, was this big lake. In this picture, Levi is admiring the momma duck and her ducklings.
Logan and Levi watch as the duck family swims.
JT and the boys enter the lake water.
JT, directing Levi over to Logan.
Logan exploring.
Logan leading the way for Levi and Daddy.
JT put Levi on top of this rock and wanted a picture.
Logan climbed up all by himself and got a picture, too!
Mom got a picture of me and Logan as he warmed up from the cool water.
JT was helping Levi warm up.
Mom and Bill watching the excitement in the water. There was a large group of kids in a few different rafts who were attempting to flip their dad over in the water, but to no avail. It was entertaining.
You can see the trail that leads up to the campgrounds behind Levi, JT and Mom.
Some of the scenery from the campground.
The picnic table and fire pit at our private campsite.
Bill in the foreground going to the left of the fork heading to set up their tent, JT in the background setting up our family's tent.
I went a little ways down the dirt path at our private campsite and took a picture of the fork in the trail. Our family was to the right and Bill and Mom were to the left.
JT setting up our tent (I was on my way to help).
"Baber, can you help me?", asks JT. My reply, "Yeah, just taking a picture of the trail so the boys will always remember this".
Logan was a great helper! He was straightening the tent poles for us.
JT challenged Mom and Bill to see who could get their tent up first. The race resulted in The McKenna's and The Davis' finishing at the exact same time. However, JT and I are sure we would've finished first if we hadn't put a few poles in the wrong part of the tent.
The finished product.
Logan taking the "short-cut" back to our tent from Mom and Bill's tent (in the foreground).
JT decided to inspect their work to make sure they were, indeed, finished erecting their tent.
Ok, ok, they were.
Logan near the tent.
The finished product.
Logan helping JT with the tent stakes.
Good job, guys!
Levi fell asleep in my arms while the tent was not complete, so I put him in the car to sleep, that being the only option for a comfy nap area at the time.
The boys playing in the dirt.
JT and Bill, setting up to cook dinner.
Our first camp dinner, Barbecue chicken and Teriyaki chicken, marinating.
The "kitchen".
JT and the boys are hard at work in the dirt.

Bill's awesome contraption.
Mom getting the "plastic silverware" and essentials out.
Levi hard at play.
Logan was caught in the act of sneezing.
You can see the culprit of the sneeze, dirt.
Levi
Where's the dirt on JT's nose?
No dirt on my nose, either.

Mom
Bill
Logan and Levi playing while dinner cooks.
Logan had lots of dirt fun!
Levi had lots of dirt fun, too!
Cute!!
Dinner is under way.
Chef Bill and Logan.
Mom is making sure all is prepared.
Logan is snacking on Cheez-its near the cooking chicken. (Mom and Bill's tent in background).
Levi eating a cracker. The scrapes on his forehead and cheek are from an earlier fall that day.
Levi
Bill, checking the chicken.
Logan wearing Grandpa's hat.
Aw, cute!
Levi's turn wearing Grandpa's hat.
So cute!
Levi says, "Cheese!"
Logan
Levi

They had fun playing in our parked car, right next to the table.

Our first camp dessert. Banana boats which consisted of marshmallows, pecans, and chocolate chips all atop a split banana, wrapped in foil and cooked over the fire. YUMMMMM!
The rest of the banana boats cooking.
Logan and JT eating their dessert while Levi continues to play in the car.
The fire was warm as the evening temperatures dropped.
The glowing embers were beautiful.
Bedtime! No odorous drink or food was allowed in the tent, as per campground rules. Levi was a good sport and drank water instead of milk to fall asleep.
There we all are, warm and ready for a cold night in our warm tent.
Good morning! JT , me, and Levi. Logan was still sleeping.
Mom watched Levi while JT took me on a trail where he and Logan had explored the day before. It was right behind our tent, part of our campsite.






When we returned, Logan was nice and snug in the tent.

Bill and Mom preparing breakfast. This morning, it would be a fried egg on a sausage patty inside an english muffin. Ooh, those were delicious!
They are amazing chef's!!
Levi, me, Logan, and JT relaxing as breakfast cooks.
We played frisbee for a while, which was a BLAST! Then it was time to pump up the rafts. Logan and Grandpa took turns pumping air into the rafts with the foot pump.
Good job, Logan!
Mom, Logan, and I played "Go fish" and then Bill and JT joined us for a game of "Uno". Logan was the winner!! Levi was enjoying a nap on the lounge chair behind us (you can see him).
Early afternoon we drove to Grotto Trail, which was about 5 miles from our campground, for a hike. It was a family friendly trail with a waterfall at the end. Levi, JT, Mom, Bill, and Logan in front of the sign.
Levi, JT, me, Logan, and Mom.
Logan led the way up the trail.
Bill, JT , and Levi crossing some rocks.
A mini waterfall.
Logan crossing the rocks.
Mom, Bill, JT, Levi, and Logan enjoying the scenery along the trail.
Mom and Bill are keeping cool with their sun-hats.
JT, Levi, Logan, and Bill crossing the bridge.
There was a cow.
Bill, Logan, JT, and Levi crossing another bridge.
Mom insisted on a picture of me, hehe.
Payback :P I got her, too!
We made it to the waterfall. The water was ice cold, but fun to play in. Bill, me, Logan, Levi, and JT stopped for a picture.
A kind lady offered to take a picture, so Mom joined in.
JT being brave.
I bet that's coooooooold!
JT survived the waterfall attack.
All wet and much cooler.
Logan noticed this steep trail and took initiative and started climbing. Mom was close behind him, making sure he didn't slip down.
Grandma offering a protective hand as Logan climbs higher.
And even higher!

He pulled himself up when it became too slippery.




HE MADE IT TO THE TOP all by himself!!!! GO LOGAN!
I see his red shorts up at the top, he's high up.
JT climbed up and joined Logan for the adventure.
There they go!
Levi and Grandpa turned to play in the water while JT and Logan explored.
They were throwing rocks, one of Levi's favorite things to do. He loves to play in water!
Mom cooling off in the shade. It looks comfy, so I joined her.
She's watching Bill and Levi play in the water.
Levi and Bill.
Bill and Levi
Bill and Levi


Grandpa extending a hand of help to Levi.

Grandpa and Levi
Such a pretty mom!
Postcard worthy, wouldn't you say?
Levi
Bill coming down from climbing to find Logan and JT. They weren't in sight.
Levi sits by grandma.
"Butt shot".
There they come! JT and Logan are on their way back to us.

Logan, post-exploration.
On our way back down the trail. Logan and JT cross the bridge.
Bill and Mom stop for water.
Levi and JT
Mom and Bill
Logan, JT , and Levi walking down the trail.
Levi, Logan, JT's hand
The boys, walking down with Daddy.
Logan leading the way down.
Levi
Back at the campsite, Levi is playing.
Levi enjoying some Cheeto's.
Levi
Me and Logan helped Grandma cut veggies and meat for foil dinners.
Our foil dinners cooking.
Levi poured water into these two cups for about an hour straight. He loves to play in or with water!
Bill and Mom near the smoky fire as dinner cooks.
JT near the smoky fire pit.
Mom, relaxing.
Me
Me and Logan
Me and Logan
Logan climbed up to give me a hug!
Levi talking about the water he's playing with.
He's still at it.

The foil dinners are almost done.
JT making a camping-hick face, Logan getting a drink.
Logan and JT
Logan and JT
Trying to get a close-up of JT's hick face, but he wouldn't cooperate and make it again.

JT named Bill, "Dr. Cook", the evil villian.

Mom
JT and Logan were having a good time playing and joking around.


And Levi was still having fun with the water and cups.

Fish faces!

The wind blew the paper towels off the table.

JT sitting on his Logan chair.

Levi
JT and Logan
Apparently, me.

Logan
Logan running from JT as they play.
"Logan, you did so good making these foil dinners! You are such a good chef!", to which Logan sweetly replied, "Yeah, I know."
Mom and Bill eating their foil dinners. They were so good!
JT, Logan, and Levi getting cool drinks from the water pump.







JT retrieved a dying tree, pulled it right out of the ground, for fire wood.
Logan is searching for firewood sticks for Bill to use.
Mom talking.
Cutting firewood.

JTs turn.

Where we stashed the rafts (on our campsite) after a fun afternoon of rafting on the lake (didn't bring camera).
Levi roasting his first marshmallows.
Levi
Logan using Grandma's hat to shield the fire smoke from his eyes as he roasts marshmallows.
Levi dipping graham cracker in milk for a nice snack.
Levi

Mom, Logan, and I made Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler. It was delicious!!
Peach Cobbler, Dutch oven style!
We were sad to leave, but it was time to say goodbye to Mom and Bill as they were staying for a few more days. This is what we saw on the way home.

Levi and Elmo - "Bee-bo"
Logan and his Elmo
JT driving us home.
Me, riding home.






Levi
Logan


Levi asleep.
Logan asleep.
Logan and Levi fell asleep on the way home.