My annual birthday, camp outing couldn't have come at a better time this year. I was feeling quite a bit burned out from work and, in a sense, wanted a little break from the horse life.
I am the only horse lover in my family (sadly enough).
....so when we want to spend time together, we camp (the non - horse kind).
My mom and I camp together quite often. As far as camping companions go-- I think we make a great team in that we share a site and work together to have a great time. I am hoping that one day, we will be able to take some seriously long road trips in each other's company.
...Unfortunately, in life, there are always obstacles.
I have my animals to care for (I don't trust most boarding establishments and have yet to find a great pet sitter).
...and my mom has my dad.
He loathes camping in the same way that Superman hates kryptonite. In addition to that, he is disabled and has difficulty staying alone over long periods of time.
Thankfully, we have 3 beautiful state parks within a half hour driving distance of our homes.
We are lucky.
We can camp AND take care of our respective responsibilities.
....but maybe one day circumstances will change and we can have that far away adventure.
Our stay last week was at the very popular, Devil's Lake State Park. Our site this year was 065 in the Quartzite campground.
As is generally the case, my mom choose the site based on her ability to back her small ( but not tiny) camper into position. My mother, who is a self proclaimed "Glamper." wants just about every amenity she can have (short of air conditioning and the kitchen sink).
I, on the other hand, enjoy a few amenities (i.e A decent airbed and the convenience of electricity when available), but I'm happiest cooking on campfires and sleeping in a tent.
I downgraded from my old Pop Up camper 3 years ago to a high quality, canvas tent. While I would be lying if I said I never miss the camper, I can also say that it's not enough to have the desire to go back. The tent offers me 100X's the flexibility of the camper and is the most doable option for horse camping should I ever get that horse trailer I've been dreaming of having for years (the money gods are taking their own, sweet time shining that light in my direction).
Our campsite was nice, but less wooded than I would have liked.
The first night of our stay was fairly windy, but nice enough for a fire and a bit of hanging out.
My sister and her husband and my niece, Fiona, also joined us, but they shared site 046 with friends.
I had plans to hike my favorite trails during the day, but since the weather forecast threatened the chance of storms all weekend, I pretty much just used the time to relax. I did a short stroll around the campground here and there, but nothing of any distance (or sadly.....with any sort of pretty view). I mostly busied myself with my nose in a book or working on some crossword puzzles I had brought along.
I think the highlight of my weekend was watching Fiona delight at seeing the live frogs, turtles, and snakes at the nature center. She couldn't get enough of watching them.
....and she can't get enough of camping.
Fiona is not yet 3yrs old and she loves the outdoors with the same level of enthusiasm that my dad has in his hatred of camping.
On the second night, we had a good storm for a few hours.
....as in several INCHES of rain.
My mom and I watched a movie (which we would do the 3rd night as well due to MORE rain).
My sister and her friends hung out in their rather large tent and made silly, Snapchat videos. Little Fiona thought the rain was about as much fun as bouncing on the air mattress in the tent. Thunder & Lightening? No problem....This little girl could care less.
Due to the impending rain (and a few mild leaks), Gayle & company choose to head home a day early. I didn't blame them as I also went home for the 3rd night due to the high incidence of heavy rain, lightning, thunder, and flooding. I needed to go home in the morning anyway to care for my cats-- so it worked out ok.
My mom felt safe in her trailer, so I left at 11 pm (quiet time). We watched an old Lucille Ball movie and ate Nachos up to that point. It goes without saying, that I would have rather enjoyed a campfire on a balmy evening....
.....but only Mother Nature can pick the weather.
In the morning, I was rather thrilled that my tent had undergone a second night of heavy rains and not a drop was to be found inside. I can't say enough for Kodiak Canvas Tents. I. Love. My. Tent.
It wasn't until the following day that I learned that Fiona threw a bit of a tantrum when her mom started taking their tent down. She wasn't ready to go home!!
....even if the big, bad storm wanted to huff and puff and blow their whole campsite down!!
Fiona had already made herself a "professional" camper. On our first day there, she made the observation that my mom's camper has wheels. In talking with her, I then proceeded to show her how the camper must hook up to the truck so it can be pulled to the campsite. I showed her the truck hitch and the coupler on the camper.
After this little show and tell, Fiona took it upon herself to make sure all friends & family in attendance knew how these things worked.
She's not even 3 years old.
Bright. Little. Girl!!
As luck would have it, our last night gave us perfect weather. My mom and I enjoyed a lovely campfire, super yummy ribs, and banana split marshmallows for dessert.
My only regrets were that the stupid weather chased me home for a night (and that I let it....) and I didn't even get in a single hike on a favorite trail.
.....at least Devil's Lake is super close to my home and there are plenty of day trips to be had yet this summer!
Next month we are all at Mirror Lake SP for 3 nights. I am hoping the weather will be better as I am overdue for that pretty hike!!
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