Friday, March 30, 2007

A Camping We Did Go

Camping was great! We packed up the car and went to a nearby State Park for three days and nights of adventure/planned boredom. Which brings a thought to my mind - How come at home, the cry of "What is there to do?" is often heard. Yet these same children outdoors either find a million things to do or can sit quietly and read or play a game for an endless length of time. One of life's little mysteries, I guess.

Campr1 We arrived, unloaded and set up the tent. Daughter promptly found a ladybug. Of Course. ;-)

Campr2

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Dinner that night was our traditional Camping Chili Stew which cooked over the fire while the children played on a nearby hill. As night came, the wind picked up and the temperatures dropped. Thankfully we were snug-bugs in our new sleeping bags. We bought them on Sale a few months ago and are as pleased as can be with how comfy and warm they are! They're mummy sacks rated for 0 degrees. Wow! Get in and zip up and you're instantly warm, especially if you zip it all the way to the top! While these are great, I can forsee that during our later spring and summer camping excursions, the bags will simply be used as a sleeping pad with a simple sheet on top.

Campbacon It was so chilly in the morning, that I had to practically force son outside to start the fire for breakfast. But soon bacon and pancakes were cooking and eaten!

After our dishes were cleaned up, the wind was still blowing and blowing. It was hard to get going, so we finally gave in and did the only reasonable thing we could do - got back in our sleeping bags!

Campbug1Here son and I are snuggled up trying to stay warm. We had a lot of fun all bundled up while we played a Bible game called Choose Your Clues. There are 50 cards with three categories of Person, Place or Thing. Then there are 20 clues to help you guess what the Person, Place or Thing is. One I remember is for Person - the clue is "I have something in common with blue jeans." We all went, "Huh?" After the person was guessed, we looked up the Scripture reference mentioned. Do you want to know what Matthew has in common with blue jeans? Read Matthew 9:9-13, Mark 2:13-17, Luke 5:27-32.

Campbug1a After we finally warmed up, we explored for a bit, had our lunch, and found some bamboo which kept the children busy for hours. Grilled hamburgers for dinner and to bed again. It wasn't as cold the second night, but we really do need to think about getting a bigger tent. It was plenty big when we bought it 16 years ago. Husband, our angel and I fit in it perfectly! But now 2 sons/young men, daughter, myself, and all our supplies are a bit like sardines when bedtime is near. Definitely something on our wishlist!

On our last day, older son corraled his brother into a game of chess and that kept them busy most of the morning. Fishing was on the agenda for the afternoon. A nice, quiet spot was found and the gear all brought out. You know what I like about fishing? All of the children, under 16, can fish and fish (without a license) and I cannot help them! I don't have a license and California says if I'm holding a pole, I'm fishing. So, older son helps sister with her hook, but other than that, they do everything for themselves and I get to sit in a nice shady spot and crochet, and crochet, and crochet! I've been following the No-End-In-Sight-Ripple-Along for weeks now and wanting to join in. But I have three WIP's already and so don't want to add another. What to do? Finish my WIP's! I got quite a bit done on one of them the past few days. Of course I'll take a photo and post it when I get it done - in time to enter in the County Fair?

Campwater Anyway - back to fishing. After fishing for awhile with no luck, everyone was about ready to give up. Then . . . . he showed himself. Him. THE fish. He was about 12 inches long, at least, maybe a bit more. Swimming just under the surface. So temptingly close, yet so cunningly far. ;-) They tried, and tried, and tried for over an hour to catch him. Daughter actually caught a moth that was in the water and her brother put it on her hook for her so she could use it as bait for the big fellow. If they cast near, he splashed far right. If they cast to the right, he came and splashed right in front of them. It really was like he was purposely eluding them. They finally, reluctantly, admitted defeat. :-(

By that time, we were all ready for home. We packed up the car, and headed home for a smoke-free dinner, real shower, comfy beds, and surprised Dad, who's been working all week. We'll certainly be planning our next campout. Hopefully for someplace new, and hopefully for sometime soon.

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