Camping

This weekend we took a camping trip to Chain O' Lakes state park (about a 45 minute drive) . We went up early (before 11:00) Saturday morning. First we set up camp and made sandwiches for lunch. Then we took a nature hike.

Our "nature" hike started with a trip to the campstore, where we were informed that there were only two bundles of firewood left. So we bought firewood and hauled it back to the campsite (which they provided a little wagon for). Then after the wagon was returned we took trail #3 which leads to the beach. Because of the giardia outbreak (we are now cleared, but are not supposed to swim for at least two weeks), we could not go in the water. There were a lot of young children splashing around in the water, but fortunately ours were content to dig in the sand. While there a DNR lady came and explained to us that the beach was closed and we were absolutely not to go in the water. Apparently the beach is only open from Memorial Day until Labor Day. They don't have lifeguards or anything then, so I don't really get it.

We eventually pried the children away from the sand to continue our hike. We began on trail #5 which heads alongside the lakes. We didn't get very far though when it became time to turn around and head back to the campground. On the way back we were sidetracked by a playground. I laid on the grass and stared up at the sky while Paul played with the kids. It was lovely. Eventually we did make it back to camp. Paul used his axe to break up some kindling, and then built the fire. Meanwhile, I set up sleeping arrangements in the tent. Paul fixed dinner (hamburgers and potatoes). It was yummy. Meanwhile the children discovered that our campsite had lots of dirt (almost as good as sand).

After dinner we heated water over the fire and washed the dishes. Abigail washed and Sammy rinsed (with some help). And I think by the time we were done the dishes were cleaner than when we started. Then the kids returned to playing in the dirt for awhile. Then we roasted marshmallows over the fire.

After marshmallows I took the kids to the restroom and cleaned them. Abigail and Sammy showered, then I washed Isaac in the sink. Washing Isaac was interesting because the sinks had an automatic sensor that only worked if there was a hand directly in front of the sensor. So the children got clean. And as soon as we stepped outside they were covered in mosquitoes. It turns out that I had washed off all twenty-seven layers of bug spray.

I said prayers with them and put them to bed in the tent. Then I went to join Paul by the campfire. The kids settled down pretty quickly (though when I went in to go to bed myself, none of them were in their own sleeping bags). Paul and I sat and talked and enjoyed each others company until long after the rest of the campground had gone to sleep. This includes the people across the way who didn't bother to put out their fire. The stars were amazing to see. We ended up in an electric campground (not our first choice), but things were fairly calm and quiet. Although a few campsites away you could see people sitting outside watching television.

Finally, I was so exhausted that I went to the tent and fell quickly to sleep. Not long after Isaac woke up. He would not be pacified. At least not until Paul took him, which caused him to immediately fall back to sleep. So he slept for quite awhile, but the next several times he woke up Paul did not. Which left me rocking the baby for most of the night. Sammy only woke up once through the night, though. And Abigail slept clear through.

For breakfast the next morning we made pancakes and eggs. I had forgotten the syrup, so everyone but me ate their pancakes with peanut butter. Then we washed the dishes (slightly more successfully this time) and packed up camp. After everything was packed up we drove to the nature center and caught trail #8 which leads around another lake. It was a fairly hilly trail. Isaac rode in the baby backpack and Sammy in the off-road stroller. Abigail held Paul's hand most of the way and she carried the diaper bag backpack. About halfway through we stopped and sat on a log to eat lunch. (I had packed the lunch while we were packing up camp). Shortly after our stop, we received a call from Paul's sister, Cheryl, with very exciting news. If you're super curious ask her. Otherwise I'll wait for awhile before I share.

When we got home the kids had a nice long nap, and we got the necessary stuff unpacked. Not everything is put away yet. I fixed a pseudo hamburger helper type thing for dinner. And now I eagerly await the next camping trip.