This was only my third time camping in my life. The first time was with my sister and brother-in-law when I was 13. The second time was last year with Andy. Both have their own stories attached to them, and I loved both experiences...mostly.
You see, I want to be adventurous, but I never feel fully clean out in nature. Not having to wear water shoes in the shower and not having to wade through the blackness of night to use the bathroom matter to me. It's certainly made me more thankful for what I have.
In the hopes of really roughing it, I booked us a basic campsite. Immediately upon our late afternoon arrival, we began to set up camp. The tent was assembled quickly and Andy went to work starting a fire for dinner while I was tasked with making our little tent a home for the next few days.
As I pulled our meager belongings out of the car, and sifted through the camp box contents I came to startling realization: We hadn't packed the air mattress.
Okay, I know how silly that sounds, as we were intent on roughing it, but I will defend our need for an air mattress out in the wilderness.
So I jumped in the car and drove to find the nearest Walmart to purchase one. I figured I could just start driving and ask google maps to direct me to one, but, as I sped down the two lane highway, my phone only continued to register "No Service." I was completely out of my element. After 50 minutes of driving, I arrived back at our campsite empty-handed, and took my lack of wifi out on Andy.
We wasted the evening driving around, desperate to cling to our small comforts, frustrated and befuddled that there were people in America that lived without wifi. How do they surf the web? Are they using dial-up?!?
On a whole, the trip ended up being really wonderful. Johnson Shut-ins is an amazing place and we plan to go back again.
 |
| We introduced the pup to the joys of swimming...not so sure he's a fan... |
 |
| We learned how ticklish our little man is... |
 |
| We battled rapids... |
 |
| ....and leaped from high heights... |
 |
| ...we marveled at the beauty all around us... |
 |
| ...and had a super awesome time... |
 |
| ...all without dropping the phone! (now that's impressive!)... |
On our last day, the rain became so torrential that we packed up in the morning and headed to Andy's aunt and uncle who live about thirty minutes down the road. We made them breakfast and played a game of Hand and Foot with them before hitting the road for our own home.
The days of summer are passing through my fingers like sand. I'm desperate to cling to all these moments. I'm hoping I'm still making the most out of them.
Have you made the most of your summer days? There's still time to make some amazing memories! Don't let today pass you by...
Not sure but I don't think Arthur took the picture. My first thought was the child belonged to the couple. That they were trying to include him and he began to squirm and they put him down before he began to scream. Isn't that the magic of pictures, sometimes they present more questions than they answers. I guess we'll never know what happened next.
ReplyDeleteYou eat your salad dry? Not even vinaigrette? You can find Olive Gardens dressing on the web. I've made it, certainly better than bottled and no preservatives.
I'm afraid my feet are still planted firmly on the ground. No news on the handsome gentleman front. Don't worry I'll let you know but with your romance radar you may know before I do. hahaha
You and your air matress! You need a little camping check list. I grew up on the gulf coast and we had to evacuate many times over the years. My mother always kept things bundled up and ready to go this time of year. She had a little check list that she went over before we left the house to make sure nothing was forgotton. That habit has carried over to me, I'm a real list person.
Do you watch Sherlock on Netflix? I still have cable. The next time they raise the price it may go. I can get Netflix on my kindle for free. I'll check into Sherlock.
Have a great week :-)
Sherlock is on PBS when it airs. I would check their website. I'm not sure where my husband downloaded it from, but I'll ask him. I think if you just search Sherlock on the interwebs and how to watch full episodes, there will be something to direct you. We don't have Netflix, but it might be on there. I know it's on Amazon Instant Video, but you'd have to pay for it.
DeleteAlso, do you watch Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife? Both really great shows and I watch them on the pbs website. I checked and you can't watch the earlier seasons of Sherlock there right now, though I might be wrong. Check there. They have great shows.
Andy and I both decided to put together a camping checklist. What's so ridiculous is that I have one on Pinterest, and I didn't use it. So silly! We'll be more prepared with lists next time! Lists are a great idea and a great habit that I need to try to get into.
You're kind, thoughtful, talented, creative and hard-working. I'd like to see a someone sweep you off your feet and appreciate all you have to offer! ;)
Dry as a bone salad! Yick to all kinds of dressings and vinaigrettes! You should hear the waitresses when I order a salad at a restaurant. They go through the whole dressing list before finally understanding that I'm just not a dressing girl.
You're more insightful than I am. I figured bc he posted it, he took it. Whatever the case, it certainly does make for a funny pic!
I hope you have an amazing week! xoxo