The Campout

Molly's been craving tent camping ever since we sold the camper last spring.  

I can't say I blame her.  

There's just something about family time, fresh air, different snacks and drinks, and being one with nature.  

So we reserved a site at Pammel Park and made it happen.

Molly hauled most of the equipment out of the basement and set up her own tent as well as all 4 disco bed cots.

Maisie relaxed.

But she got the urge to get a few push-ups in after the tents were set up.

Setting up camp for 6 people is intense. 

One has to consider the fact that people eat way more food than they realize.  I pre-made chili at home and brought hot dogs for chili dogs.  Everyone liked it except Molly's friend didn't eat chili and Ross wouldn't try it and refused to eat a hot dog without barbecue sauce so he went home and everyone except Molly's friend woke up with significant gas in the morning.

Jayson explained how RecRoom is now selling gift cards up to $200 in the US ONLY, and how he hacked into the school website and made a call to the FBI to report suspicious activity keeping us all on the edge of our seats around the campfire Friday night.

Guzzling Solo cups of pop out of 2-liters just feels like the right thing to do at a campsite...

. I think Maisie is mid-swallow in this shot.

They know I don't buy pop at home.

And it wouldn't be a good time if we didn't have dancing.  

I think this may have been a tik-toc- not positive though because the smoke was rolling into my face.

Camping in October also requires one to consider the temperature.  This means pads for those sleeping on the ground as at least 2 lawn-and-leaf bags overflowing with flannel sheets and old comforters. 

Maisie woke up Sunday with 3 numb middle toes which had also turned white. 

We propped her foot up on a piece of firewood in the morning and let the campfire thaw her out.

We could have EASILY stayed home, watched a true crime documentary, and gotten things done around the house.  

Instead, we overpacked clothes which all need to be washed because everything smells like smoke, hauled 2 truckbeds full of cots, tents, food, drinks, firewood, bedding, warm clothes, chairs - did I mention all the bedding..., I lost my left contact through the night which made me empathize with Jayson's vision, and almost lost Maisie's toes.

And now we're home, with the washer and dryer getting a workout, the smell of campfire still lingering in our hair, and memories of that October weekend we tent camped in Winterset.