Camping

 

Camping is so fun. SO. FUN.

 We never went camping as a family when we were kids. My parents, mostly dad, isn't a camper. The first and last time I have ever seen my dad in the lake, other than on a boat, is also the first and last time I have seen him in swimming trunks. LOL. It didn't help that the trunks were a cheap pair from Wal-Mart that he quickly grabbed on second thought. He waded out into the lake and the trunks ballooned up around him. LOLOLOLOL. It's just really funny to me.

 

The one time we went camping as kids, was at "Rushing River." We went with two other families. Us kids had a blast. I can't remember the heat that the parents of us kids endured. I don't remember going shopping one afternoon just so we could enjoy some air conditioning. lol. Neither do I remember one family finally sleeping in their air conditioned car because it was so so warm that weekend. I do remember the one family's boxy aero star van over heating on the way to "Rushing River Campground." I just remember the good times...and wishing we could camp again. I was ignorant to the fact that the weekend of camping was a complete nightmare. To them, it was a weekend of endurance.

 

I married a camper. Ian loves camping. we got married with him dragging his (and his brother's) two HUGE, I mean ginormous, dark green totes filled with camping essentials. I eyed those totes dubiously and said "I do" with an agreement stating that we would only camp were flush toilets and showers were extremely well accessible. By now he has me convinced to try Algonquin. BUT (BIG BUT), some conditions apply. We won't be doing any interior camping. I'm not pooping somewhere in the woods while a bear awaits behind some blueberry bush. I will NOT subject myself to be someone some hikers stumble upon and cheer me on amidst snapping pics while I take my dump. No thank you. may I just say that again? No thank you. I am not interested in wading out into the lake to bathe. All the while on freak out mode, convinced of some sea creature taking off with my toes. Nope, I can't see the romantic side of it. at all. Someone enlighten me. I don't see the fun in it.

 

We went camping this summer with friends. And what fun we had. Our girlies had an absolute blast. they were so dirty and messy. They made mud pies and sand pies. It was great fun to see them put their imagination to use. I gave up on trying to get them to take their shoes off before they got in to tent, so it was a dusty tent floor with bits and pieces of bark and gravel. I just sat back and watched them play. we made amazing food. and chatted long into the night. We listened to the racoons prowl around the campsite after dark, looking for scraps. We took walks or bike rides to the flush toilets and hot showers. We spent the days sitting at the lake with diet cokes and skittles, watching the 1.5 year olds shoveling and stirring. We watched the older kids practice their swimming lessons. We enjoyed the calm waters on the kayaks (that our friends shared with us) while the daddies watched the kids. I had never kayaked before. Once I was convinced the kayak would not tip easily at all, I sat back and relaxed. It was SO peaceful way out there on the water. We could see way down to the rocky bottom...

I love it when evening comes and dusk settles over the campground...everyone is making their fires to cook supper. darkness comes and every camper is huddled around their own fire murmuring and occasional laughter broke through. Children have droopy eyes and fall asleep. Bull frogs croak at the nightfall in protest.

..Good times and food was had by all. We ate. a lot. We feasted on breakfast burritos, fries, campfire smores cones (pinterest. you wont be disappointed.), Pillsbury cinnamon rolls baked over the fire (also thanks to pinterest.), taco salad, and monkey bread baked in a Dutch oven.

Georgie begs to go again and I'm sure we will. It's a fun, cheap holiday that is surprisingly not that much work if you keep things super simple.<3

See you at Pinery, any one? <3