Friday, May 28, 2010

Rain Camping - I Don't Recommend It.

I've just returned from four days of camping...in the rain. Once your sleeping bag and pillow are a cold, wet, blob, you might as well pack it up and head home, except I couldn't. Twenty of us parents were in this for the long haul.


I plastered a smile on my face, helped to dig trenches around flooded tents, hugged children who were missing parents, and used my blow dryer on the coldest little ones.


Around the parents I broke my complaint-fast, and I haven't laughed so hard. Their sarcastic wit had me rolling. By the time the thunder and lightening began, we'd all become fast friends - comrades in battle.


Before I share the adorable pictures of my daughter and her friends with you this weekend, I thought I'd share a few lessons learned.



  • I learned how to sleep in the back of a car like a transient (minus the dog).
  • I learned a body can live for days on Doritos Ranch chips and flat Shasta soda.
  • I learned just how close is "too close" to put your shoe by a campfire.
  • I learned that $5.99 for one gallon of milk is the sale price in Point Reyes.
  • I learned that campfire songs stay in your head FOREVER.
Boom-Chicka-Rocka-Chicka-Rocka-Chickaboom!
  • I learned that husbands laugh when wives call home while rain-camping.
  • I learned that an eleven-year-old daughter is the elixir for a cold-wet-mom.



12 comments:

Keli Gwyn said...

My hubby, daughter, and I took an annual camping trip every summer to Calaveras Big Trees. Only once did we get rained on. No fun. I'm glad you're home now and able to laugh about the experience.

Denise said...

Woo Hoo, you survived.

Mari said...

What an outing! Glad you survived and are still laughing!

Karen said...

Ouch...some of those are rather hard lessons...but the last one is precious...

My very FIRST camping trip was with my new husband...in the rain...in a pup tent...next to a lake that I was convinced was the black lagoon...complete with the creature...ahhh...such memories!

Braley Mama said...

Wow, now that is a dedicated mama!!! I am very impressed! Thanks for the lessons:O)

Debbie Petras said...

Oh my goodness! My husband has been talking about going cross country camping. I'm sure there would be plenty of nights like you had. Hmm... not sure about it. This gal enjoys a warm bed and a shower. :)

Linda said...

Beautiful post! Glad I found your blog.
Have a good weeekend.
Blessings.

mariel said...

wow..you got extra brownie points for camping in rain!! congrats for make it!! sounds like one of those "one day we will look back and laugh" memories!! :)

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Even worse than I imagined it would be... at least it's over.

peace~elaine

Kathy C. said...

Oh my goodness! You are a stronger woman that I am! LOL... it sounds like you really did have a "sorta" good time though. :) Great memories at least!

Lauren said...

every camping trip I ever took with my parents included rain... which is why I don't ever go voluntarily now! haha

Anonymous said...

Did the husband's go? I must admit, I think moms have great humor in adversity. About the same time last year, I had a lot of soccer tournaments in the rain. You learn to laugh or you'll drown in sorrow (LOL). I guess there is a silver lining to every cloud (I could pun all day). It is amazing, though, what moms are capable of.

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