Thursday, June 15, 2006

countdown to camp wilderness



In just under a month I am going camping. I know what you're thinking. I'm not the camping type. You're right. But I married into a family full of the camping type so I'm bound once a year (at the least) to this excursion.

We are driving 13 hours, all the way to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Isn't that a terribly long way to go just to sleep on the ground under a thin layer of vinyl? I say yes. However, most of Rich's family lives in Michigan, including and especially his grandmother.

We missed the last two years of camping and I missed the year before that so it's been a very long time. Believe it or not, there's a part of me that's excited about this trip, albeit tiny.

I won't bother mentioning the things that I'm not looking forward to. They are too numerous and obvious. But here are some things to make me excited about it.

1. Swarms of happy children all around.
2. Waking up to coffee perculated over a morning fire.*
3. Waking up to the smell of bacon (and knowing it is for me).*
4. The gourmet camping kitchen we've yet to use.
5. Lazy days filled with nothing in particular.
6. Many wonderful stops along the 13-hour way to and fro.
7. We're finally (!) getting a bike rack so I can take my sweet bicycle.
8. New tent with 4 "rooms" that we can supposedly stand up straight in.
9. Packing pretty linens and plates and cups, especially fun foods and snacks.
10. Fresh new pajamas.

*Perhaps I am dreaming too much. I will probably have to wake up to make these things. But a girl can dream.

11 comments:

carrie s. said...

Camping is 99% mindset. I never thought I would enjoy it, and I really do. I've become the cast iron Dutch Oven master in our family, wowing all our friends with campfire cakes! Yes, look into it before you go - super easy and you will endear yourself forever...(email if you want/need a "recipe".)

Mippie said...

Wow! Have fun Amy! I've only ever "camped" in our living room-the temperature is always perfect, no bugs, all necessities just steps away... But, I've got two boys and maybe it's time we gave it a try! I love your vision of camping and I see in my mind a little pink to your linens... You may have just "inspired" a trip for my family!

Stacy said...

You should add "quiet moments listening to nature". It can be quite inspiring. And if you do have to get up and make the coffee and bacon first, you can take it all in before the others get up and start breaking the blissful sounds of the world.

Waterfall said...

Yes, think positive--and maybe it won't be so bad after all!

I think camping is yucky. ;-)

Anonymous said...

the gourmet kitchen - i am envious! i think i'd use it in the backyard and "camp" on my hammock, though....

dogfaeriex5 said...

wear a good hat and watch out for the dreaded "ticks", they are bad this year!
~*~*~

Anastasia said...

As soon as I read your title I thought - am I the only one who isnt a camping type - but glad to see Im not.
I love your 10 positives though - have fun!

Saucy said...

My idea of camping is when I have to use the foldout cot in the hotel because someone else called dibs on the big bed. Also, no room service past 11 p.m. is pretty rough-and-tumble and under no circumstance whatsoever, will I ever tinkle in the woods! I will be praying for your safe return.

Anonymous said...

Amy:

You will love the idea and thought of camping when you have visited Mary Jane's Farm. Her website is www.maryjanesfarm.com. She's out of Idaho, and she makes camping and the out of doors seem oh so wonderful.

Julie

weirdbunny said...

I love camping, we live on bacon, egg and beans when we are there!

Anonymous said...

Ah Amy...I LOVE to camp. In fact, I have been camping since I talked to you the other day, only came home today to take care of some business and do laundry...then we are going back for another week. We'll be home a week and go on another 9 day camping trip. Although, we do have a nice camper and do not camp in a tent. I don't think I would love it so much if we camped in a tent. We do have a 4 bedroom tent that we have never used...but we have had it up and you can stand in it!!
I bet you will have fun. You're right though, that is a long way to go!