10. Greater appreciation for "The Great Outdoors." It truly was beautiful in spite of what you are about to read.
9. Swimming in a lake. This included jumping off of rocks and having (Chris's) toes nibbled by fish.
8. Living out of your car. There's nothing quite like going to your car for a pair of clean clothes and some breakfast, all in one trip. What a way to save time!
7. The sheer number of blankets that need washed when you get home. Did I mention the fact that when you are camping, the fire smell is nice. Once you are back home, the fire smell isn't so pleasant. I had a large load of clothes to "de-campify" as well.
6. Watching your husband start a fire. I can't say much about this, as I have no idea if I would have been able to do it. Remember, don't think "rub two sticks together," instead, think "how do I place the kindling and logs just right so when I light those suckers they will start burning." We didn't even have to use matches. We had one of those long nosed lighters.
5. Sleeping in a massively roomy tent with only nylon separating you and "The Great Outdoors". By the way, this next picture is not the tent we slept in, it was the boy's "play tent." Ours was a bit bigger (not much.)
4. One package each of eight hot dogs and eight buns...devoured by four people (two of whom are five and three.)
3. More s'mores than you care to admit consumed by four people. Mmm...they are so good though. Remember, what happens at the campsite stays at the campsite.
2. Flushable toilets (including one squatty potty) within walking distance. I have a picture of the beloved squatty potty on my phone if anyone would like to see it sometime (if you are wondering, NO I never used it.) I especially enjoyed the walking with my hand soap to and from the restroom announcing to my fellow camping comrades that I was about to (or having just finished) craping my brains out. I know, I could have only had to pee. I do apologize for the obnoxious language but again, friends, we were camping.
1. Waking to the sounds of raccoons overtaking your camp while you are trying to sleep, chomping on dog food the previous campers so kindly left for them. Did I mention that we were separated from the raccoons by a thin piece of nylon? Am I mistaken in believing that raccoons have sharp claws? I was the first to wake up. They were literally on the other side of the nylon. I think I heard them rub up against the tent a couple of times. Fearing for our lives, I put one arm around Jonathan (he was sleeping next to me) and leaned over with the other to tap Chris. I believe I said, "Chris, we're all going to die." No, wait a minute, that's what I was thinking. I said, "Chris, there's something out there." Words that will live in infamy. My whole body was shaking and I was cursing the person who so long ago decided it would be "fun" to leave the comforts of your home to sleep on the ground with NYLON separating you and EVERYTHING ELSE (not to mention having to walk to a squatty potty...with your own hand soap.) Chris was the hero, though. He carefully climbed out of the tent armed with two long handled MAG lights, ready to fight for the safety of his family. Obviously, we made it though the night from Hades. Chris even traded me sides (the dog food was on my side of the tent.) I slept much better after that. Our sharp clawed friends returned a couple hours later, but we didn't bother them. I was safe on the other side of the tent and figured if Chris was clawed he deserved it. Camping was his idea.
You know what they say, "time heals all wounds." Maybe someday Chris will get me to camp again, as long as he promises to feed me s'mores. Maybe I'll even try the squatty potty next time.
