I learned a couple good things on our most recent camping trip. 1) Camping is a lot more hard work then I thought and 2) Do not take the sedan.
Overall, Laura and I had a wonderful time. We arrived at our campsite at about 7:30pm on Friday night. We were so excited by our view. Literally we were 40 feet from the lake. After unloading the car we set up the tent. Now this was a little bit of a challenge because of all the times that we put the tent up in our back yard we never had any problems with the tent stakes going in the group. When you add a tent pad to it, it makes it very hard to get the stakes in the ground. Thank God we had packed a hammer. It took us about an hour or so to get everything set up. Because it was so hot and humid we started drinking a bunch of water and coke. Bad idea right before you go to bed. Now, the bathrooms were not that far from our site, but it was still a pretty good walk. I think we got up 4 times that first night. We decided that during the night we would not go to the bathrooms by ourselves. So everytime one of us had to go to the bathroom we both would get up.
Saturday morning we woke up with ideas of cooking our breakfast over the campfire. It didn't go as we had planned. Because it was so windy we had a hard time getting the fire started. We decided to go our for breakfast and worry about the fire that evening. After breakfast we went swimming for a couple of hours. The temps were in the mid 90's and it was very humid. So, getting in the lake was wonderful. Later in the afternoon I was able to get a fire going. I love campfires. I love the smell and I love listening to it crackle. Laura cooked an awesome steak on our little Weber grill. It was awesome. Rest of the night we just sat around talking. Around 8pm we decided it was time for some smores. God, I forgot how good they are. By 9:30pm we were ready for bed. The temp had dropped enough and there was still enough of a breeze that our tent was very comfortable.
Sunday we did manage to cook our breakfast over the campfire. It took a lot longer then we thought it would, but it was delicious. We were then off to go swimming. After a couple hours of swimming we decided it was time for a siesta. After our siesta we talked and decided we wanted to go home so we would be home the entire day on Monday. After breaking down our camp we were on our way home. We decided that two nights are good for camping.
We plan on going back in July to do some more camping. I think Laura's younger sister and husband are going to go with us. I think camping with them will be nothing but fun and laughs. For our first time out camping as adults we couldn't have asked for better weather. It was a little warm, but we always had a nice breeze the entire time.
8 comments:
I'm glad you had a good time. Setting up camp *IS* a lot of work--especially for us since we have so much stuff (everything AND the kitchen sink, really). But it is so worth it. Next time, get some fire starter sticks to get your fire going. Did you take any pictures that you can post?
Glad you had a nice time. I love fried potatoes and toast when camping. Oh and exactly how do you make a S'more? I've heard of them but never made one!
tropopause--that is a very good idea..we'll do that next time. Yes, i do have pictures..will have to post them when i get home..
patticake--you have never had smores...it's a graham cracker, hershey bar and then a marshmellow roasted over the fire..put them into a sandwitch and eat..it's out of this world
Just a few little thoughts:
1. Use a tarp under the tent instead of a tent pad, might help with the stake issue.
2. Get a little camp stove with wind blinders. Awesome way to make breakfast and a lot less mess!
ragged--yes, we did have a tarp under the tent. the tent pad was the part of our campsite designed to put our tent. there was gravel that made up this area. so getting the stakes in the ground were difficult. we have already looked at little camp stove. we thought about one before, but didn't know we would need it so much. thanks for the suggestions.
I agree with the suggestion to invest in a propane cooking unit. They don't cost a lot, and while you lose a little of the . . . I don't know what to call it . . . oh, perhaps "flavor" of cooking over the campfire, what you gain in being able to eat is worth it. When you've camped for a while, cooking over a campfire loses a lot of the anti-glamour, to be honest.
I'm glad you had fun. I miss camping. Not enough to do it again at my age, but . . . . ;-)
Glad you had a good time. We're going camping in August for a weekend. We always go with a group of people. We have so much fun. Where are the pictures? :)
I concur on the camp stove. I have a Coleman grill-stove and I love it. I would not be able to camp without it.
Court and I are curious, what were you going to cook for breakfast on your fire had you been able to start one?
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