Well, I just had to write about my camping trip because people seem to be intrigued by the idea of me going into the woods. Yes, if you know me at all I’m pretty much an indoor girl. However, if you are one of the few close friends I have you’d know that there is no challenge that I won’t take. This was one of them. Now you might wonder how I ended up camping and that is 100% all my husband’s idea. I had bought us a new tent over the Winter because I can’t resist a sale and he has always wanted the family to camp someplace besides our backyard. My husband had fond memories of a camping trip he had taken with his parents at Saranac Lake and he wanted that for his boys. So, he booked us a trip for two nights. Needless to say I was not thrilled. I had hoped that we could camp closer to home the first time, but that was not going to be the case.
The first problem arose when I discovered that we needed our own boat to get to the island. Yes, you camp on an island on the lake. It is very rustic and there are few spots on each island. We never even saw the other people on our island. Anyway, after much research we decided it would be best to rent a boat once we arrived. That ended up being a winning choice. It was one last thing to worry about. Next, I reached out to my Facebook friends for tips on camping. As with anything you put on Facebook I got a mixed bag reaction. Friends laughed, others loved telling me of their highly superior camping skills, but more were extremely helpful. I want to especially thank Bonnie from The Joyful Organizer for all of her help. Visit her website and Pinterest for useful information on just about everything! I made my list with Bonnie’s help and packed away.
The ride was good. Then came the horror of packing up all of our stuff on the boat once we arrived. It didn’t help that some of the dock was underwater from flooding and we were mid- calf deep walking back and forth at times. When we finally got to our island it’s crowded with people and about 4 + boats. Then one of the people shouted, “Sorry just give us a minute to get packed up. We thought it was too good to be true that this spot was empty.” Phew! Once alone we unpacked as the kids explored. Right away the boys decided they would not be going into the outhouse. Awesome-bushes it is!
We actually had a nice day. While I teased my husband endlessly about bringing our old stove top to the campsite it was great. Some said that we weren’t really camping because I had a stove top, but I can say if you are in RV is that really camping? If you have access to a bathroom is that really camping? I think the stove top fits in somewhere there in between. We slept on an island, in a tent with no air mattresses, had no running water and an outhouse. I think we pass the “is that really camping test?”. The night was rough. My oldest son experienced an anxiety attack (He has Aspergers) and began to panic about when and where he would be sleeping. We were able to calm him and played cards with him till grew tired enough for bed. I was up all night. I was cold, uncomfortable, and had to pee like a million times. I looked like death when I crawled out of the tent that morning.
My husband was determined to have a great day. We had breakfast then went for a boat ride. My son once again began to panic and said the boat was making him sick. My husband dropped us off and went fishing with our little guy. ( Who by the way is a vegetarian so it had to be catch and release.) I was so tired and my body hurt. I went swimming for a bit with my son then relaxed on a large rock overlooking the lake. It was quiet. It was peaceful. My son played in the tent with his Presidents of the US flash cards. I wanted to go home, but this meant so much to my husband. I came to realize that it was okay that I didn’t like to camp. I can do it, but that doesn’t mean that I have to like it. I took a nap later in the day and returned to play more games with my family just in time for my son to begin to panic again. This time it wasn’t so bad. The boys and I went into the tent with our headlamps and read our books while my husband tended to the fire. This was a much better night, or so I thought.
The next morning I awoke to find my husband fishing out on my rock. He looked tired and told me that he hadn’t slept all night that he was having muscle spasms. I told him that I was sorry that his trip didn’t go as planned. He looked surprised and said, “It was fine. I had a good time because I got to do something I have wanted to do for a long time.” I fell in love with him all over again. Another man might have been angry or disappointed that their boys wanted to read, not catch fish, etc, but not him. He loves me and them for exactly who we are and always will. He never tries to make his boys into who he wants them to be, or who he thinks they should be.
My husband tells me that when we get back he needs to get medical attention. He’s in pain. I do most of the packing and hauling onto the boat and off. Yes, people I can be butch if I need to be and when it comes to my family nothing can stop me. He screams in pain most of the ride home and curses when a rock hits the windshield of our new car and breaks the glass. We arrive home, I unpack the car as he tries to walk the pain off before heading to the doctor. I get the kids settled only to find my husband pulling up his car which we discover has a flat tire. (You can’t make this shit up!) I get the air compressor out for him and off he goes. He returns with pain killers and muscle relaxers. I give myself a mani/pedi because I have to be in NYC at 6:45 A.M.for the Today Show and an interview with Ryan Reynolds. This is my life, as odd as it may seem.
How’s that for a story? Now don’t get all negative on me because it was a good trip.
Here is what I learned:
- Things don’t have to be perfect for you to enjoy yourself. We had many good moments and laughs even though things didn’t work out perfectly.
- I have an awesome family that listens and talks to each other openly.
- My husband is amazing and full of unconditional love.
- I am capable of alot more than people give me credit for.
- My life is both weird and wonderful. ( I love it!)
FaVe Mom says
Looks like a fun time was enjoyed by all.
Carie says
When ur kids are older. They will remember how awesome u 2 were when they were little. They will strive to be as great a parent as u are. I bow 2 ur arguement about “is that really camping”. Ur right. I use air mattress, shower (ify on the hot), potty on a flushable toliet & have a stoveburner if it’s raining hard in the morning & there is no fire. I love ur blog, ur sence of humor hasn’t changed.
mommasbacon says
Great pictures! I love camping with the family!
Tara @ Tara & Dan Their Clan says
You’re a brave mama! My husband has tried to get me to take the kids camping and I just can’t do it. I am more of a glamping kind of girl!
Jenna Parsons says
What an amazing trip that must have been!
Ruth says
For a first time camp story you guys ROCKED it out! I am very very impressed with your trip, and so sorry that Frank ended up in pain at the end (and the rock and the flat tire).
You managed to show your boys how to overcome anxiety and how to deal with what you have right in front of you – and how to rely on each other for support.
GREAT GREAT story. I am in awe of your family.
Delphina says
That lobster is so cool! I am glad you had such a great time!
Walter Milani says
Aww… very touching! Seems like you guys are so “no drama” with each other. What I would give to find a soul mate calm and unselfish like that!
Jenn says
Wow! That was a great camping story!
Merry S. says
Sounds like you all worked together to have a good experience despite the bumps. I am sure your family will be talking about the wonderful memories you made for a long time to come. You camped, you conquered!
Jo Marie H says
Loved your camping story. I’ve camped a few times too with some good and some bad experiences. I can take it or leave it. But our kids have a great time and my husband loves it too, so we will go again.
Debbie L. says
We are a camping family. We love it -I have learned over the years to be prepared for anything.
Cynthia says
What a great story. Camping can be a lot of work, but so much fun too. I think my favorite thing about camping is getting away from all of the everyday stresses in life. Families really pull together and remember what is important when they camp.
becca says
Looks like you had a fun time. I like when things don’t’ always work out that’s when magic can be made.
Becca says
Camping is one of those things you either love or hate. I’m glad your family had a great time!
Bri says
I have some really fond memories of camping with family & friends. I would love to go camping on a island.
amanda says
I used to love camping! Can’t wait until my kids are bigger, then I think I’ll be ready to brave it will all 6 of them! Looks like your trip was fun!
Charise Rohm Nulsen says
I love this. It looks like you wound up having a great time. Camping always seems to bring an adventure!
Candi says
I haven’t camped in so long, I don’t even remember what it was like.
DJ says
I love camping! However, I can’t seem to bring enough bug repellent; those little suckers love me lol.
Elizabeth B says
You are braver than I! Glamping I’d be up for, camping in a regular tent….no. Then again, I loved camping as a kid. I think I’d be up for it as an adult now if I didn’t have a horrible sleep disorder. I probably wouldn’t sleep the whole trip…Sigh.
Michele Pleasants says
Fun read! We camped for many years, with an RV, but loved it regardless! Sometimes even s’mores in a microwave make memories and bring you closer! 😉
Noah Barrett says
That Camping Trip looked so fun while i was reading it.
WALTER says
Wow! Seems like you handle all the hiccups extremely well and nonchalantly! It was a great trip! Sorry about your windshield and tire, but you treated it like a minor hiccup. Touching how you handled the anxiety attacks and vegetarianism so smoothly and calmly. You’re a great mom with a great family!