Huck Finn Jubilee

The story of the Huck Finn Jubilee dates back to May 2013 when Jess bought us pre-sale tickets to Coachella 2014.  This was back before we really knew what it was going to be like to have (and to leave) a 10 month old baby.  Well, long story short, April 2014 rolled around and this mama was not ready to leave her baby for even one night, let alone two!  So we sold the Coachella tickets, and Jess discovered the little gem of a festival called the Huck Finn Jubilee.  A small, family oriented blue grass festival in Ontario, CA...just an hour from home!  We started counting down to June 13-15 as the official first family vacation for Royall family of three.  And what better way to start off than 3 days of music (string cheese incident headlined 2 nights BTW...), camping, and sunshine.  Our excitement was contagious and 2 other families from the Mama Tribe came with us with their babes!! 6 adults and 3 one year olds, yee haw! 

 We started dusting off the camping equipment the weekend before.  It has been since our big east coast road trip (summer 2012!).  Everything was in great shape except for one busted lantern.  We loaded up the car early friday morning, hit the grocery store for ice, diapers and coffee, then we met up with our friends.  We were on the road by 8:30!  

Two stops and an hour and a half later, we made it!  We could not park right next to the campsite, so the girls and babes waited while the boys went to stake a claim on a campsite.  We had our fingers crossed that they could find 3 good ones right next to each other.  They did!  We had primo camping right on the lake and a short distance to the cars.  We set up camp in no time while enjoying our first beer of the weekend and laughing at the babies. 

 We set up the pavilion closest to the water with a baby cage inside which was a crucial part of the success of this trip.  We put up another baby cage like a fence in between us and our neighbors on one side.  We positioned the tents around to cage the other side, and we had our own cozy little camp oasis.

 Lauren and Kaius

 We have a similar picture from our birth class where we had made bracelets in the class.  Huck Finn on 3.  1! 2! 3! 

 Wilder in the baby cage  (or baby jail, if you prefer)

One concern was that the babies would be thrown off their sleep schedule, but all babies had no problem with two naps a day in the tent.  Breckin even slept during the second set of both String Cheese shows on a blanket at our feet while her parents danced the night away.  She is such a good sport and already an avid camper =)

 

The days were hot, in the 80s, so we spent some time at the water park. Slides. big pool and splash pad. right by our campsite! 

 Life Aquatic

 Breckin + Wilder

Wilder was so pooped he passed out on the 2 minute walk back to the campsite! 

 Brooke and Brett brought their radio flyer wagon.  This was super handy to tote the kids around in and lug stuff to and from the main stage.

 Our set up at all the shows was super sweet.  We took the baby cage and set it up in a semicircle in front of our camping chairs under a shade tree.  We were far enough back to try not to be in anyone's way.  We got so many compliments on our show set up.  It was pretty genius!!  the babies were content to play with toys on the blankets for most of the time...that is when they weren't dancing with their parents!

 before her first cheese show! 

 Daddy had to give her a pep talk and a lesson on cape wearing. 

 Saturday 

We all slept great on Friday, and woke up to coffee and breakfast made by Jess. Campsite coffee always taste so good!  We lounged around, ate some lunch, and went swimming again.  We headed to set up our spot at the stage around 3.  We saw Ralph Stanley, the Steeldrivers, Sam Bush, Keller Williams and the Travelin' McCourys, and the String Cheese Incident.  All shows were awesome!  We took turns going back and forth to the campsite for snack runs, costume changes and to eat dinner, but it was mostly about the music for the rest of the day!  

 Isn't this set up awesome!  

 Breckin's day time number got her in touch with her country roots.  Her Wrangler bloomers, with an american flag motif bathing suit top covered with a denim shirt, and her pink cowboy boots.  She was ready to get down to some blue grass!

 caught me in the act

too much boot scootin'

 We had a costume change before keller and cheese.  We had to put on our capes! 

 Lots of daddy/daughter dancing!  Happy Father's Day Weekend! 

 Sunday

Saturday night was a little bit of a rougher sleep for everyone.  Our air mattress is definitely on its last leg.  Jess made breakfast sammies for everyone and B was loving some turkey bacon!  

 Father's Day wrestling match.  All the babies loved coming into our tent where the air mattress was.  It was like a bouncy house for them!  

 Everyone but the Royalls packed up early and headed out.  We packed up and let little B take one last nap in the tent.  We loaded the car and headed to watch some more tunes. 

 Mommy and Breckin had lots of time to have a photo shoot with her birthday flower crown while daddy loaded the car. 

 taking in the music with mommy

 We ate snow cones and marveled at the music and how successful the weekend was.  Our little B is quite a festival baby!  We will definitely be going back next year!