Monday, May 31, 2010

Camping Retarded

Photobucket
Camping Retarded
/
kámping ri-ˈtär-dəd/ adjective: Describes people who haven't been camping for about 5 years. They pack tons of food but forget other necessities such as sleeping bags, formula and water.

We are camping retarded. We forgot our sleeping bags on our camping trip. After driving 2 hours away and up into the mountains it dawned on us that we left the sleeping bags. I also forgot Zoey's formula, but luckily had an emergency stash in the van.

Thank goodness, I'm a cold (not "mean cold", but "physically cold") person and brought blankets because I was worried about my kids getting cold during the night.

We used blankets the first night and we FROZE! Zoey and Ben ended up in the van in the middle of the night. The rest of the kids and I huddled together under the blanket. The kids played tug of war with the blanket and Xander slept really well on the cold hard tent floor without any blankets. Everytime I tried to scoot him closer to me, he pushed away. When one kid would wake up crying it was like a domino effect and everyone was up.

By morning time, I felt like I had 2 hours of sleep and Ben was sore all over. Our kids on the other hand, were in good spirits. We heard complaints about being cold during the night and then later I heard comments like, "I love camping" "Camping is so fun!"

Gotta love short term memory!

Photobucket

Camping in the redwoods is just amazing! You feel so tiny being surrounded by these giants! At any second you could be swallowed up and there would be no remains.

Photobucket

Photobucket

Some of the kids' favorite things about our camping trip:

Making smores
Laying in the hammock
Photobucket
Going on hikes
Photobucket

Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
This is the chimney redwood. As a result of a fire, it is hollow all the way through.

Eating candy
Photobucket

Xander peeing on the trees

Thank goodness there are no pictures. Although, Mia did draw one and left it in a tree after seeing a group of people doing a scavenger hunt.

Climbing on the trees
Photobucket

Photobucket
We ended up driving home the second night. We did everything that we were going to do and when it was time to go to bed, we just drove home! It was a great decision!

Photobucket

We loved camping at Big Basin Redwoods. It just happens to be the FIRST state park ever!

Photobucket

We can't wait to go camping again and next time, we won't be leaving the sleeping bags behind!

5 comments:

Jerenda said...

That is the funniest thing ever. I am glad you had fun anyway and made lemonade out of lemons. I haven't been to the Redwoods since I was a kid but I still remember the huge trees. I am sure you made some great memories that will not soon be forgotten (both good and unpleasant :))

Sarah said...

Ooohh! I want to go! I love all the pics! That is so funny that you forgot the sleeping bags--a story to tell forever!

Michael Family said...

That is classic that you forgot the sleeping bags. I'm glad you had a good trip anyway. Seeing those pictures made me want to go back to Big Basin. That was a great campground!

Lora said...

You are far braver than I to go camping with young children. I think we will venture into that one day....maybe....the idea of camping seems fresh, peaceful, and fun....but then I think of everything that could go wrong and I lose all confidence in the idea. I think I would rather "rough it" in a hotel. One day....when we can make s'mores and Oscar can consume them we will try it out. Loved the post! What an adventure.

Glennard said...

Valerie! (This is Kristen, just still signed in on Glenn's account)

I am so glad you posted a comment on my blog so I could rediscover yours again! SO much to say- first, you are so skinny lady! Second, your house is awesome- I just love what you have done with it. I would have never thought to use green that way, but it works AMAZINGLY well- it is fantastic. Third, I am always inspired by the way you mother and take on adventures. Sure wish we lived closer!