Why Did the Chipmunk Fall Out Of the Tree?

That was the question from the past weekend. And it isn't actually a strange question...really...once you hear the story.

To celebrate our Nation's Birthday Fletcher and I were invited to go camping at Herald Park with the Fishers and a plethora of equally enthusiastic adventure seekers, some of whom we've camped with in the past. We arrived late Friday afternoon, following road closures due to lightning-downed power lines and torrential downpours that threatened the continuation of the entire camping weekend. Hamburgers Friday night, followed by a multitude of vodka mixes...none of which I remember. But I do remember the new puppy! Everyone, meet Kona.

Saturday was beautiful - spent lounging on the beach, avoiding duck itch, and tossing rocks for the Chow. After such strenuous activities, it was time for lunch, and a refill. Fletcher loves camping cause he gets to eat off the furniture and sleep in mama's bed!

Brian and his connections allowed our campfires to be the envy of the entire park. We had at least a chord of clean, stripped wood that provided much some needed heat in the evenings. Not to say that it was cold, not by any means, but I'm cold blooded and anything below 30C is freezing. I wore a sweater most of the time.

In Herold Park there is a short hike to the beautiful Margaret Falls, which Fletch and I made the journey to 4 times. There are some great rocks in that creek, and the hike in is breath-taking. There is a cave behind the falls...but as Daryl wasn't there no one from our clan were brave enough to attempt spelunking...this time.

Canada Day evening brought on the fireworks (and sore ears for all the pooches) and we were entertained by the exploding colours and flatulent sounds of the roman candles etc. We all giggled.

A tradition amongst the camping clans is the annual build your own bio-degradable river raft/boat/anything that can float creek run dinghy. With 6 entries at the start and 4 at the finish it provided some amusement for young and old. (Reminisce of the Blair Witch Project...)

Now we get to the chipmunk...Monday afternoon, after a turn-over in occupancy of the neighbouring sites, we were sitting at the picnic table playing crib when...splat...We look over at the road, and there, lying in the fetal position was...what is that...a pine cone...no...a branch...no...oh lord...it's a chipmunk! So the chipmunk fell out of the tree onto the road. We thought for sure it was dead after a fall that far and the resulting splat. Teresa wearily approached the motionless creature when it suddenly rolled onto its belly and bolted away into the forest. Even Fletcher didn't know what to do with the 'risen from the dead' zombie-esk chase-able. We all had another drink. And giggled some more. Chipmunks weren't the only things falling out of trees...the kids found a baby bird and spent the final day trying to save it. It has prospects to grow up to be a pterodactyl.