Camping Weekend

This last weekend was amazing.  Anna, Susan, David (their brother), and Leon, (a new friend), Michael, me, and of course our little Crew decided to have a camping weekend.

We started our trip off by going to Petra and seeing it as we never have before... by candlelight! It was beautiful and the stars were unbelievable.

That night we camped in a Bedouin campsite in Little Petra.  We didn't even have to set up our tents, which we were thankful for because it was close to midnight.  They let us sleep in a large Bedouin tent with some foam mattresses.  We left the next morning for Wadi Rum (Rum Valley); Michael's favorite place in all of Jordan.  This was my first time, and although we didn't go to the same part he fell in love with, I think it is now top on my list as well.  It reminded me of southern Utah and parts of Arizona. It felt like home: a mix of my desert home in the states, and a of my desert home in Jordan.

We saw camels around every turn! 

We had a local Bedouin guided Jeep tour that took about 6 hours. He took us to some major T.E. Lawrence sights, like his house and a spring he used.  There were Nabataean hieroglyphs all over of camels, lions, funny looking men, and supposedly women giving birth, but I must have missed that one. 

He was all smiles most of the weekend. 

Crew was such a trooper through the whole trip.  He slept better that night than either of us, with the wind and sand beating against the tent half the night (and possibly some small monsters creeping around making frightening noises). 

Waiting for the camel to get out of the way.
(Hey look Kristy...That guy from the airport was our tour guide!)

The desert was beautiful and so calm. I got up early, even before Crew and perched myself up on some rocks to watch the sunrise.  I think that was the quietest, most serene morning I have ever experienced.  

Campsite in Wadi Rum

Playing a little desert frisbee as the sun sets. 

No, Michael is not doing the yoga position "downside up sitting bull."  It's actually my mad timing skills during his back-flip on top of this natural bridge.  Our driver said he was a crazy man, but Crew and I think he is pretty awesome. 

Our Bedouin guide just texting his habibi on his fancy smart phone in the middle of the desert.  

We are wanna-be Bedouins. 

This trip would not have been the same without the Kearl Girls... and boy :)

The next day we drove to Aqaba for a little snorkeling, beach bum time, and the yummiest chicken Alfredo. 

We just can't get enough of this little man.

Crew got his toes dipped in the Red Sea and obviously loved it.  It will be a fond memory of his for years to come, I'm sure.  

This really is how we all felt at the end of the trip.  Thanks for such a Kodak moment Susan! 

Thank you, Thank you to Anna and Leon for the pictures! (I forgot my camera, so all the credit goes to them on these awesome shots).