I'm okay with camping...now. See, we have this really great trailer that hauls all of our stuff, it has two queen sized beds, two twin beds, a bathroom with a toilet and shower and a full on kitchen with fridge, freezer and convection oven. Camping is not as much work as it used to be.
But it is still a lot of work. Most of the work is before the trip; hooking up the trailer in the front yard so that the fridge can cool down, filling the water tanks and packing up all of the stuff that we will need.
(The trailer, sitting in front of our house, where it sat long enough I'm pretty sure we will be getting a letter from our HOA)
Then you have the unloading after the trip is over. Most of the food is eaten so there is less to carry back in to the house, but the clothes are filthy and usually stink like camp fire.
Camping is all about what comes in between those two chores - all of the fun is after you get to the mountains. Food tastes better eaten outside, the kids are having a blast and I can usually get some really good reading done in between short jaunts on the motorcycles. I love this part of camping vacations.
Last weekend we decided we needed to get away from this blasting heat and hit the high country. Alan was recently released from his Bishopric calling and so we felt like we could rebel a little and take an entire weekend. We haven't done much camping in the last year or so because it is really too much work to do for only one day.
Last Thursday we picked up our trailer and made all of the preparations. I packed everything up on Friday, Alan got home early and loaded the motorcycles and all of the heavy equipment. We were on the road less than 30 minutes after the kids got home from school.
And we were back home about an hour later.
About 20 miles out of town, we noticed smoke coming from the rear wheels of the Suburban. One of the brakes engaged and wouldn't release. We pulled in to the parking lot at the river to let it cool down. The kids walked down and put their feet in the water. Yippee! That was their fun for the weekend.
All of that work preparing and we had to come home and unload everything. The kids cried a few tears. And let's be honest - I did too. We are hoping to give it another go here soon.
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10 comments:
Major Bummer - That is somuch work to not be able to go. At least you caught site of the smoke before it caused any real damage . And I will say I am happy Morgan was there on Sunday to help with our class Sharing Time - it was the first time in forever that all of our girls were there!!! WooHoo, but Boo Hoo about the camping. Maybe labor day weekend?!
That is so painful...I agree the worst part about camping is the prep work. But, at least you've got some sweet digs to sleep in--2 queen size beds? Holy cow!
Are you kiddin' me? That is a tragic story if I've ever heard one. I know what you mean about all the work though. Our one little overnighter campout was way to much work and we don't even have a fancy trailer to get ready.
Maybe next time!
Seriously a sad story.
If that were me telling the story there probably been some naughty words in there. So props to you for being so calm about it. I totally know the amount of junk that gets packed to go away, even just for a weekend. Better luck next time!
Aw, man! That's too bad. I hate it when trips like that are cancelled last minute. I hope you slept out in the trailer in your yard anyway...
Get the Burbie in working order and take off soon!! Those darn cars. Our camping trip was close to that- our truck made it up north, it took us six hours instead of 3 1/2!
I guess there are some "campers" out there, we do it for our kids. It sure is a lot of work but the kids LOVE the outdoors. Someday we will have a camping outfit like yours! :) (i hope)
Wow! That's too bad! You sound just like me. I thought the toy hauler would making camping so much easier, but you still have to load it and unload it. We camp with the Jacobsens every summer, next year you'll have to join us. The more the merrier, maybe the Varneys will come, too.
I'm sorry about your trip, what a bummer. I'm hope you get your suburban fixed so that your cute family can head back up north and enjoy the cooler weather :)
Let's forget the past…. hope your next family trip will be full of fun.
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