We took Evie camping for the first time this past weekend. It was quite the adventure. First, we forgot to set-up day care for our dog, so Oakley came with us. Normally, having a dog with wouldn't be a big deal, but Oak is a chicken and is scared of our backyard in the dark...much less the woods in an unfamiliar location. He did well, but at one point he and Evie were both cuddled in with Luke and I on one little air mattress! Second, it was rainy.....torrential down-pour style. Despite Luke and our friend Adam's spectacular job at making a roof for our picnic table and firepit area out of a tarp, we couldn't get a fire hot enough to cook dinner. While Evie, her friend Brynn and I read books and jumped on the bed in our tent, Luke, Adam and Carrie fended off the wind and rain to keep the tarp from collapsing.
We gave it our best, but decided to go into town for dinner. I'm using "town" quite liberally here....there were only two options for dinner, and both were bars first and restaurants second. After weighing both options, Hootersville (no relation to Hooter's - our server was a guy) looked best...and I have to say that the pizza was great! Evie and Brynn, although it was way past their bedtimes, were super troopers and charmed the locals and some fellow campers who were also attempting to stay dry for at least a little while.
Once we got back to the campsite and got the girls settled in for the night, all of us parents enjoyed s'mores....a must-have when camping...and enjoyed a less than roaring fire while trying not to get smoked out of our tarp creation. The third leg of our adventure involved a raccoon....a very vicious and bawdy one. Unfortunately, Oak was no help in keeping the raccoon away from the campsite (pretty sure he was scared....yet again) and Luke and Adam had to fight him off with rocks and sticks. On top of all this, both Evie and Brynn had what is commonly known as the "hand, foot and mouth" virus, which is kind of like chicken pox and causes blistering on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands and inside of the mouth.
You may be wondering why we went camping with the virus and the weather and all that? Well, the simple answer is "to see if we could." As new parents, we've had a hard time getting back to our "normal" selves and have avoided many outings because everything is so much more work with a baby or toddler. In the end, and despite having to head home at 4 a.m. after Evie woke up and couldn't get back to sleep for hours, we had a good time. Good company and a little adventure are a great combination! So, watch out raccoons - we're comin' back!!!!!
We gave it our best, but decided to go into town for dinner. I'm using "town" quite liberally here....there were only two options for dinner, and both were bars first and restaurants second. After weighing both options, Hootersville (no relation to Hooter's - our server was a guy) looked best...and I have to say that the pizza was great! Evie and Brynn, although it was way past their bedtimes, were super troopers and charmed the locals and some fellow campers who were also attempting to stay dry for at least a little while.
Once we got back to the campsite and got the girls settled in for the night, all of us parents enjoyed s'mores....a must-have when camping...and enjoyed a less than roaring fire while trying not to get smoked out of our tarp creation. The third leg of our adventure involved a raccoon....a very vicious and bawdy one. Unfortunately, Oak was no help in keeping the raccoon away from the campsite (pretty sure he was scared....yet again) and Luke and Adam had to fight him off with rocks and sticks. On top of all this, both Evie and Brynn had what is commonly known as the "hand, foot and mouth" virus, which is kind of like chicken pox and causes blistering on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands and inside of the mouth.
You may be wondering why we went camping with the virus and the weather and all that? Well, the simple answer is "to see if we could." As new parents, we've had a hard time getting back to our "normal" selves and have avoided many outings because everything is so much more work with a baby or toddler. In the end, and despite having to head home at 4 a.m. after Evie woke up and couldn't get back to sleep for hours, we had a good time. Good company and a little adventure are a great combination! So, watch out raccoons - we're comin' back!!!!!
3 comments:
Wow!!!! Camping can be an adventure when its just adults, but camping with a toddler...?? Would be a great idea for a reality T.V. Show...!! And the rain just doubles up the fun!!!
Uncle Reid
At least you didn't pitch the tent facing up hill in a draw so when the water started running it filled up the tent. I recommend some fire starter...a mix of mineral spirits, terpentine, gas, a little oil to slow it down. Shake well - pour liberally on wood- throw lit match at wood as you run away. If you did it right it will sound like a dog...wwwoooofffff!
Uncle Todd
Sounds like fun! We took Henry once last summer, and plan to go much more this summer. We have a trip planned in a few weeks with 5 toddlers and parents. Hope it works out for all!
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