I'm not really much of a camper. I went a few times as a kid and have a few vague memories from it -- like listening to my dad curse as he tried to assemble the tent in the dark and eating lukewarm Dinty Moore Stew straight from the can for breakfast.
I know we had fun, but I don't think my parents dug it all that much. (Though, crazy, as is sounds, I LOVE Dinty Moore Stew because of that one trip.)
Mark, on the other hand, practically grew up on a campground. His parents were serious campers, first starting out with a tent, then moving on to a pop-up camper and eventually renting a seasonal lot where they spent nearly every weekend for a good 20 years. A former Boy Scout, Mark knows his way around a campfire.
So on our third date, when he suggested we take the kids camping sometime, I casually blew him off, thinking that neither me or the kids (total TV and video game fanatics) would be all that into it. I had visions of three hot and sweaty kids, sitting glumly at a picnic table, whining about how bored they were. I changed the subject and he didn't try to change it back.
Not right away, anyway.
Every now and again over the next few years, Mark would bring it up, suggesting we visit his favorite campground, only two hours away. Unfortunately, for two summers in a row, our weekends quickly filled up and we weren't able to find any free time to get away for a long weekend.
Until now.
This spring, as we planned out our vacation time for the year, Mark brought it up, pointing out how the kids are the perfect age to go fishing and roast s'mores. He laid out a whole cost analysis, showing me how after our initial investment in camping gear, we could take a weekend camping trip for under $90.
Appealing to my inner cheapskate, I agreed.
The initial investment proved greater than either of us had imagined. As the clerk totaled our ginormous bill at Gander Mountain, we looked at each other in a slight panic.
Mark whispered in my ear, "The first kid who complains of being bored is getting a backhand."
I agreed and added, "We are now officially Camping People. We will camp all of the time. We can't afford to be anything else."
So last weekend, we got our gear together and hit the road for Mark's favorite campground. I primed the kids by painting a compelling picture of getting back to nature.
No electricity?
No problem. We'll live off the land!
The kids, still somewhat skeptical, humored me and feigned excitement.
Turns out getting back to nature was easier than I thought. The kids never once complained about missed TV shows, or the Nintendo DS games purposefully left at home. They were eager to fish and play near the lake.
And, realizing I'd accidentally forgotten to pack Crowbar's swim suit, he eagerly went commando, wearing a pair of lightweight shorts to the swimming hole. He started walking around without a shirt -- something he's never done at home.
And at that moment, something changed in the boy. It was as if the 5 year old from the suburbs transformed into a Wild Thing, eager to fish, catch turtles and poke bugs with sticks.
He even danced around the fire, summoning the flames to lick our marshmallows.
Crowbar: Nature Boy. Who knew?
At the end of the trip, the kids actually complained and whined when it was time to go home. The Deuce suggested we stay for a whole week next time. And as we pulled out of the campground, they waived good-bye to the playground, lake and swimming hole.
The whole weekend was pleasantly surprising. I found my inner campfire cook and the kids embraced the simple life for a whole weekend. One of my favorite parts was settling down in our sleeping bags to warm up and nap on one particularly chilly afternoon. I can't remember the last time I had all my babies around me, laying quietly and whispering softly.
It was bliss.
And thank goodness for it too. We're Camping People now.
Side note: While we were gone, the dogs were kenneled at a nearby pet spa. Even with the best rates in town, it cost more to board them than it did to reserve our campsite for two days.
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3 comments:
Awesome! I heard on the radio that families who camp together are closer knit throughout life. :)
This makes me excited to camp with James in a few years!
It was so nice to sit, fish and talk with none of the regular daily distractions.
We also took a tip from a friend and had the girls each bring some school work to burn ceremoniously in the campfire. (We left to camp on the first day of summer vacation.) That went over real well, as you can imagine!
What an awesome discovery. I think there is an inner part of us that just naturally responds to being outside. And I live the image of you and your babies all sungged up whispering.
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