Family Camping Trips: Who's Idea Was That Again?
The Family Camping Trip: When people related by blood or by law intentionally pile themselves inside an oversized sandwich bag (tent) in attempt to bond and/or have fun sharing experiences in the great outdoors.
Ever opened a can of sardines? Do they look like they're having fun?
Actually, my family loves to camp and we have a large, three room cabin tent with inflatable beds, electricity, a toilet, the works...yeah, we really rough it when we go camping. Nevertheless, with a five-and-a-half year old in there with you, I assure you, they don't make a tent that is big enough!
It was a glorious weekend as we braved the outdoors on Friday and came home today. As with any family trip, it had its ups and downs. When they were up, they were really up and when they were down, they crashed and burned.
You know, though, it's like I heard Gary Smalley say a long time ago: there is nothing like a family camping trip to bring you together and the worse they are the better. Actually, though, now that I think about it he was talking about the weather...it really doesn't apply in this situation. I'll just say that there were times I patted myself on the back for coming up with such a great idea and other times I kicked myself in the butt for doing this to my wife and me on purpose. I think the sharp pains I felt at other times was when she was kicking me in the butt.
In spite of the challenges, it does get better every time and we will continue to plan them. They mark more new "firsts" as Jacob and I had our first fishing experience together. He learned how to cast a rod (really well, too. At first, I was afraid he would really cast the ROD, but, alas, he didn't). We caught our fill of fish and chaulked up more wonderful memories. Fortunately, it tends to be these memories that cloud out most of the challenges, though they be legion.
As for me, I'm going to go enjoy the first night back in my bed now, though I doubt I'll sleep as well without that melodious sound of the crickets chirping, the wind gently blowing through the tent windows...the diesel truck pulling next to us at midnight...the road construction I can hear off in the distance...or children yelling and playing down the road so joyously long after their parents should have ever so gently tucked them into bed!
No, there is just nothing like getting back to nature.
Ever opened a can of sardines? Do they look like they're having fun?
Actually, my family loves to camp and we have a large, three room cabin tent with inflatable beds, electricity, a toilet, the works...yeah, we really rough it when we go camping. Nevertheless, with a five-and-a-half year old in there with you, I assure you, they don't make a tent that is big enough!
It was a glorious weekend as we braved the outdoors on Friday and came home today. As with any family trip, it had its ups and downs. When they were up, they were really up and when they were down, they crashed and burned.
You know, though, it's like I heard Gary Smalley say a long time ago: there is nothing like a family camping trip to bring you together and the worse they are the better. Actually, though, now that I think about it he was talking about the weather...it really doesn't apply in this situation. I'll just say that there were times I patted myself on the back for coming up with such a great idea and other times I kicked myself in the butt for doing this to my wife and me on purpose. I think the sharp pains I felt at other times was when she was kicking me in the butt.
In spite of the challenges, it does get better every time and we will continue to plan them. They mark more new "firsts" as Jacob and I had our first fishing experience together. He learned how to cast a rod (really well, too. At first, I was afraid he would really cast the ROD, but, alas, he didn't). We caught our fill of fish and chaulked up more wonderful memories. Fortunately, it tends to be these memories that cloud out most of the challenges, though they be legion.
As for me, I'm going to go enjoy the first night back in my bed now, though I doubt I'll sleep as well without that melodious sound of the crickets chirping, the wind gently blowing through the tent windows...the diesel truck pulling next to us at midnight...the road construction I can hear off in the distance...or children yelling and playing down the road so joyously long after their parents should have ever so gently tucked them into bed!
No, there is just nothing like getting back to nature.
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posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 7/10/2006 11:40:00 PM
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