Camping 101

Blog! How I've missed you!! I have been "away on vacation". I use that term lightly because, thanks to Irene, our vacation turned into a staycation. We decided to go camping for a few days. Since we are the way we are, I, of course, have some tips and lessons to share with you that we learned the hard way.

1. Just because it's August, doesn't mean you can't see your breath at night. Bring winter clothes.

               Sunday night was so cold! The kids and I were surprisingly prepared only because I brought 1 warm 'just in case' outfit. Jake lucked out and actually had a winter hat with him because it went with his favorite shirt. Joe is always hot, so sleeping in the cold was like a treat for him. Robert and I had hoodies on and had them tight around our heads the whole night and I'm pretty sure my ears still got a little frost bite. Robert was the one who was the least prepared. He only had shorts with him. 

Jake on his way camping in his favorite outfit with matching winter cap

2. An air mattress can cause motion sickness. 

                   How you ask? Well when you fill it up during the day when it's nice out, doesn't mean it'll keep that same firmness once it turns frigid out! Wait to fill you mattress with air when it's closer to night time so you don't lose the oomph.

The following video shows you what I dealt with all night while buried deep in my hoodie and blanket. I either clung to the side and hoped for the best, or rode the wave and tried not to hurl.

3. After a night of not sleeping, when you look like a drunken sailor staggering to the bathrooms, do not try and flush the toilet with your foot. You will stumble and fall in.

                 I don't know why I thought I could do it. I trip standing still, but add in being sea sick from a half deflated mattress, that just adds up to no good. I'm not sure how I didn't end up head first in the toilet, I was flailing all over that stall. I felt I needed a shower after that stall wall, floor, ceiling, toilet encounter.

4. Touch the wood you buy from the side of the road to be sure it's dry. 

                 We saw a great deal, $5 per bucket of wood. Great! You get a bucket to haul it in, why not buy 2?! Well the wood shoved so tightly in the buckets were slightly damp, just enough that they were not the least bit interested in becoming fire wood. $8 at the camp general store for more wood, gets us a little fire for night #1. We set the other wood out to dry off for night #2. Our hobo pie night. I have my heart set on hobo pies. What's camping without the hobo's?! Well either buy dry wood or you will be resorted to stashing your hobo makers in your neighbors fire when they walk away.

I will do whatever it takes to get my hobo pies.

                  

My favorite parts were-

Seeing Joe take Jake's hand to lead him a little farther into the deep end of the pool and even put his arm around him.

Joe swimming under water without holding his nose. Both swimming and not plugging the nose were a huge new leap for him.

Jake putting his WHOLE head under water.

What are your lessons to share when it comes to camping?