Going camping

Going to pack up this morning and head to Rocky Mountain National Park for a week of camping. In a tent, even. (Of course, we'll be right next door to my parents who have a fifth-wheel with every modern convenience--fireplace, fridge, shower, electricity!)

I am so excited.

I loved camping as a kid. Then hated it as a teen. And am now prepared to love it again. There's going to be a whole huge bunch of us over the weekend and into early next week, but then it'll just be our family and my parents until next weekend.

I am excited to hike. To sit by the campfire. To roast marshmallows. To paint. To read under the trees. To see elk. To help the girls complete their Junior Ranger books. To hear the wind in the pines. To snuggle in a sleeping bag. To eat Uncle Brett's breakfast burritos. To have my quiet time outside in the woods. To knit. To play cards. To read aloud. To be together. To drink mocha. To eat Gran cookies. To laugh.

There are a few camping trips that stand out in my memory, ones that are clearly focused in my mind. The sounds, smells, adventures. In fact, we watched slides of one of them the other night in Mom and Dad's basement while it rained outside, changing our Fourth of July at the park plans. 

Remembering how cold the mountain stream was, how cool the raft that Dad roped together for us was, how much we felt like Tom and Huck as we poled around the lagoon that was huge in my memory, but surprisingly small on the projector screen.

Laughing at the pictures of my dad and the dog in the tub, covered in tomato juice. Somehow Obie got sprayed by a skunk more than once--and only ever right before a trip. 

I'm hoping that this trip will be one of those trips for the girls. And for the rest of us too. But especially for them. The kind of memory that never fades, the trip that all others measure against in the future. The kind that begins with, "Do you remember that camping trip when..."

So now that I've made a bunch of headbands (short hair is NOT ideal for camping in my mind--missing my long pigtails), packed up the watercolors and pencils, yarn and books, I need to gather sleeping bags and pillows, pack my clothes and a few bandanas and a baseball hat for good measure, and get my day going.

Not to mention getting another cup of coffee. Happy weekend, everyone!

***

What's the one thing you never camp without? 

Comments

[Daisy]

We loved camping as well! I can remember staying at a KOA campground on our way to our vacation destination and having such a good time at KOA that we ended up staying there for the entire vacation! There's a Coleman commercial I see often about how they began the "social networking" craze and I have to agree with them - so many wonderful conversations were around the campfire! Have a great time!

[Bill]

We are going camping too. Monday through Wednesday along the Metolius River in the Oregon Cascades. On Thursday it's floating and fishing the McKenzie River. Lisa Whelchel is flying out tomorrow to join us. She has camped since she was a kid and wanted to experience it again.

Bill

[Barbie]

Have Fun!...I have so many great memories of camping too. I can't wait for our little ones to get a bit bigger to tent camp again:)!

[Heather Fischbach]

We are camping this week too... in Yosemite National Park and then on to Malibu State Park. The mountains and the ocean in the same week!! We have been camping every summer for 7 years now : ) One thing we never leave home without? Games, books, marshmallows, and glo sticks.

[chapmanchick]

Tell me how you made headbands.... My hair is shorter now too!

[Mer@Lifeat7000Feet]

I never ever camp without my wool toboggan and a pair of gloves (definitely need them at night!) and I'm also a big fan of Neutrogena makeup cloths. I don't usually wear makeup when we camp but it's great for getting the grime of the day off my face. Of course, we never have a camper or running water right next door so you might be able to skip that!

Our kids LOVE the junior ranger program at RMNP. It's AWESOME!!! The ranger-led nature walk at Sprague Lake is one of our favorites. We've done it 3-4 times and have always lucked out with fun, informed rangers who really know how to interact with kids as our guides!

[Betsy]

Joanne, I sounds like such lovely plans for your trip and I hope all your dreams for this trip come true! Have a WONDERFUL time!

[Teri H]

Enjoy! I just made a bunch of headbands too! I'm growing out my bangs AGAIN... =)

[annie]

It's a dream of mine to go camping in The Rockies! My Mum and Dad are camping in Canada at the moment. I'm quite jealous!

Wet wipes! I would not go camping without them!

Have fun.

[Fonda]

I also have great memories of camping as a child. Unfortunately, my husband doesn't care for it. We purchased a piece of property with a travel trailer on it a few summers ago and I am trying to talk him into getting away for a weekend. I told him travel trailers aren't really camping and that it would be just as good as a Holiday Inn. Maybe when it cools off a little bit I can convince him to take it out.

[michelle]

My camping go to item is tin foil... I know, weird right? Well, we make silver fish packs at least one night each time we camp. The foil is great for cleaning the grill the rest of the nights. Oh, and for cleaning the marshmallow skewers and for wrapping the grill so you don't even have to clean it.

I also am a deep believer of citronella candles and plenty of garlic in our food to keep the mosquitoes away.

[dining tables]

Camping is one of the best activities for our children. I am wishing you good luck in your coming adventure. I hope that everything goes well. Just make sure that you and your family is having a great time.