I've written about camping with kids frequently. But then I thought: Wow, I sure have painted a sunshine and roses picture of camping, haven't I? So in the interest of full transparency, here's the flip side of camping...
So apparently I have selective amnesia whenever it's time to plan a family trip like camping... that or I just love travel in theory but not in practice? That can't be it. The Excel spreadsheets of our trip plans, packing lists, and menus can't be wrong. Can they?
Besides, there are lots of good things about camping! Like over thirteen ways to cook at camp, s'mores, and campfire chili, and starry nights, and the Great Outdoors.
But the bad thing about camping is... ACTUALLY GETTING THERE!
You'll probably be forty-five minutes down the road when you realize you forgot your hiking boots, so you turn around and the trip just seems endless.
Or. You arrive at your campsite at dinnertime and hubby has to set up the tent alone (not that you'd be any help at all because remember assembly makes you break out into hives?), so you try to keep the kids from dying of hunger but the cooler got packed underneath all the gear (which seemed like a good idea at the time...)... and that's the kind of night you end up in tears sitting on the picnic table in the dark at nine-thirty at night wishing for ruby red slippers... because you just realized you're eight hours away from home where you left the bag of diapers and sunscreen AND your swimsuit on your beach camping trip. Which is when for possibly the first time in your life you MIGHT be grateful for a big box store. Except you're on an island. So good luck finding a swimsuit that wouldn't land you right on a reality TV show.
And the other bad thing about camping is... THE WEATHER!
When (not if!) it rains (which is invariably every night WE go camping, so if you just don't plan a trip at the same time as us, you should be safe!), all your children will want to pile onto your air mattress. Which then deflates to the point that you feel like you're on a water bed. Which is nearly true because it's raining with flash flood warnings (not that you'd know because you don't have cell signal), and when you put your foot down on the floor of the tent, it bubbles so you realize there's like a mini Colorado River running right beneath your tent.
Which is when you start thinking you could really apply to be on Get Out Alive! or some other reality show about suburbanites who should've never been let off the freeway.
Then you wake up to the birds chirping and the sun shining and you forget all over again...
How the bad thing about camping is... THE DIRT!
Nothing is ever clean, especially not when the previous campers were probably chain smokers (in the forest? Really? Don't they know about Smokey the Bear's pointing finger ONLY YOU...!?). So even though you were all prepared to "let them be dirty," (as the older, wiser, neighboring campers with grown up children advises), suddenly some dirt seems dirtier than dirt, and then the baby grabs a handful and eats it. Which requires a full body scrub down and change. For the baby, too.
But then you remember... camp bathrooms aren't. exactly. clean. either. Unless of course you're in a nicer state park where they have coin-op bathrooms (which for some reason makes them a notch cleaner than most private campground bathrooms I've visited???). Then you're happy to trot off to the bathroom with your toiletry bag and a roll of quarters where you find yourself in a lengthy debate about whether you should spent 50 cents for the five minute shower or $1.00 for the ten minute shower.
And you try to estimate how long your showers at home usually take. So you opt for the 75 cent seven-and-a-half minute shower (yes, a half minute!). And you can't help notice the machine says "up to fifteen quarters," and as you rush through your seven-and-a-half minutes, of which you discover you really only needed six so you just stand there waiting for the water to shut off because how can you waste water you paid an extra quarter for, you idly dream of someday having a fifteen quarter shower. Now that would be something.
Standing in the 2x4 space that is the camp shower, you pretty much forget that...
Another bad thing about camping is... YOU LIVE IN A TENT!
On the ground. Where you've crammed four people and five days worth of living into a 10x12 space and are supposed to be thrilled by this:
And you can almost see the giant rock under the minuscule floor space we have left.
And you're supposed to forget the stainless steel kitchen and front-loading washer/dryer you left behind and enjoy cooking al fresco here:
And hand-wash your cloth diapers:
But after all, hubby does make great camp breakfasts.
Camping. It's not all Walden Pond. But sometimes it is... See?
Which is why...
The REALLY bad thing about camping is... you tend not to remember the not-so-fun parts. Or when you do, they somehow seem very humorous. Just not at the time...
If you've never been camping before, definitely don't let this discourage you - you'll note that I keep.doing.it! We do have fun times, great memories, and our kids are growing up enjoying camp life. Although next time I'm definitely treating myself to a fifteen quarter shower.
(NOTE: these misadventures are a conglomerate of several camping trips we've taken. Had they been all from one trip I'm not sure I'd be putting together complete sentences anymore).
Tell me your tall tales from camping life!
I was searching for antibiotics that you could buy without prescription and I found this site... hope you find it usefull 😀
I was searching for antibiotics that you could buy without prescription and I found this site... hope you find it usefull 😀
LOL! Brings back memories of my summer's growing up. We camped all up and down the east coast. I alternated between loving and hating it even as a kid (I've never liked instant potatoes, yuck). My most recent camping trip was when my best friend and I decided to camp in Las Vegas (we were in our 20's and had no money!). We arrived at about 1:30 in the morning (my alternator blew on the way out there) and the ground was so hard we couldn't pound a stake in for nothing! Luckily (?!?) neighbors were wakened by our sad attempts and came to help! Thankfully it got better after that.
LOL! Brings back memories of my summer's growing up. We camped all up and down the east coast. I alternated between loving and hating it even as a kid (I've never liked instant potatoes, yuck). My most recent camping trip was when my best friend and I decided to camp in Las Vegas (we were in our 20's and had no money!). We arrived at about 1:30 in the morning (my alternator blew on the way out there) and the ground was so hard we couldn't pound a stake in for nothing! Luckily (?!?) neighbors were wakened by our sad attempts and came to help! Thankfully it got better after that.
I haven't been camping in years. I have never took the family but would love to one day.
I haven't been camping in years. I have never took the family but would love to one day.
That is funny. I tend to have the same problem. I get excited about going and then after I am committed remember the hassle.
That is funny. I tend to have the same problem. I get excited about going and then after I am committed remember the hassle.
hahahaha
i've never really actually gone camping-camping. summer camp, in cabins, and a few times on tent platforms things. but not real true sleep on the ground. i can't handle it in my yard.
hahahaha
i've never really actually gone camping-camping. summer camp, in cabins, and a few times on tent platforms things. but not real true sleep on the ground. i can't handle it in my yard.
Ok I looked at all of your pictures and actually thought this looked amazing. It looks awesome and peaceful. Maybe not for a whole 5 days, but maybe for a few?
Ok I looked at all of your pictures and actually thought this looked amazing. It looks awesome and peaceful. Maybe not for a whole 5 days, but maybe for a few?
hahaha this was funny... I'm not a camper.. We did take my now 18 year old when he was 18 month old in Germany to Garmish over the 4th of july weekend and boy did we have one thunderstorm after another the entire weekend we were there and we were in between mountains sooo ja, that was fun.. never ever
hahaha this was funny... I'm not a camper.. We did take my now 18 year old when he was 18 month old in Germany to Garmish over the 4th of july weekend and boy did we have one thunderstorm after another the entire weekend we were there and we were in between mountains sooo ja, that was fun.. never ever
oh I needed a giggle tonight. Good job 🙂
oh I needed a giggle tonight. Good job 🙂
The last time I went camping was a about 8 years ago, and it was a fishing trip in central Oregon. I had a ton of fun and caught as much as I could eat. I love camping trips that have a "mission" like this.
The last time I went camping was a about 8 years ago, and it was a fishing trip in central Oregon. I had a ton of fun and caught as much as I could eat. I love camping trips that have a "mission" like this.
I am sorry but this is so funny!!! Honestly, I hate camping. Take me glamping or nowhere. LOL Your tents look awesome, though!
I am sorry but this is so funny!!! Honestly, I hate camping. Take me glamping or nowhere. LOL Your tents look awesome, though!
Would you believe we've never been camping? That's right...never!!
Would you believe we've never been camping? That's right...never!!
It usually rains when we go camping too. One time we were surrounded in the forest by howling coyotes. Then got rained out, and had to go sleep in our big van, and I was pregnant. One time we camped by a stream in the hills (or mountains), and it rained, and the wind in the trees made it sound like there was going to be a flash flood, and I kept waking my husband up all night to check on the stream to make sure we were not going to be washed away! Our next camping trip was pretty great, and then several weeks ago we went on another one, and all the camp places we were planning on camping at on one side of the lake were full, so we had to go around the lake on a very windy long road in the dark to another place, set up camp, I tripped over the tent string and fell on the rocks, skinning up my knee, and cried by that time. We realized I had forgot our pillow, we forgot eggs for breakfast, and for some odd reason I had decided not to bring our 3 year old's blankets, thinking we would share, he proceeded to have a meltdown at 1 in the morning, cried himself to sleep, the next morning started all over again, we went home an hour and a half to get his blankets, then that night, after trying in vain to start a fire for supper, my husband did it, and we finally had food cooking, then my husband realized the lid was off the lamp oil, and our son said he drunk some. WHAT!!! So we brought him about 30-40 min. to the emergency room, and they said he was fine. It ended in Taco Bell for us, and yet for some odd reason, I still feel like going camping again, maybe just to redeem the experience somehow! Sorry for the long comment!
It usually rains when we go camping too. One time we were surrounded in the forest by howling coyotes. Then got rained out, and had to go sleep in our big van, and I was pregnant. One time we camped by a stream in the hills (or mountains), and it rained, and the wind in the trees made it sound like there was going to be a flash flood, and I kept waking my husband up all night to check on the stream to make sure we were not going to be washed away! Our next camping trip was pretty great, and then several weeks ago we went on another one, and all the camp places we were planning on camping at on one side of the lake were full, so we had to go around the lake on a very windy long road in the dark to another place, set up camp, I tripped over the tent string and fell on the rocks, skinning up my knee, and cried by that time. We realized I had forgot our pillow, we forgot eggs for breakfast, and for some odd reason I had decided not to bring our 3 year old's blankets, thinking we would share, he proceeded to have a meltdown at 1 in the morning, cried himself to sleep, the next morning started all over again, we went home an hour and a half to get his blankets, then that night, after trying in vain to start a fire for supper, my husband did it, and we finally had food cooking, then my husband realized the lid was off the lamp oil, and our son said he drunk some. WHAT!!! So we brought him about 30-40 min. to the emergency room, and they said he was fine. It ended in Taco Bell for us, and yet for some odd reason, I still feel like going camping again, maybe just to redeem the experience somehow! Sorry for the long comment!
Wow! Lol! Not nice of me to laugh at all these mishaps, but man you are funny! I haven't been camping in so many years. I've been wanting too. and luckily we have a nice spot not to far from our house. I think I'd stick to trying that out before venturing out any further away from home! 😉
Wow! Lol! Not nice of me to laugh at all these mishaps, but man you are funny! I haven't been camping in so many years. I've been wanting too. and luckily we have a nice spot not to far from our house. I think I'd stick to trying that out before venturing out any further away from home! 😉
And this is why I never go camping. 🙂 I ALWAYS remember the not so fun parts. lol
And this is why I never go camping. 🙂 I ALWAYS remember the not so fun parts. lol
I think we must go camping at the same time, because it always rains on us too!
I think we must go camping at the same time, because it always rains on us too!
LOL! That's hilarious!! I think the bad thing about camping is horrible sleep! Kids chatting and cry and not wanting to sleep, hubby rolling over and moving you all over the air mattress, and early sunrise all contribute. We enjoy camping, though.
LOL! That's hilarious!! I think the bad thing about camping is horrible sleep! Kids chatting and cry and not wanting to sleep, hubby rolling over and moving you all over the air mattress, and early sunrise all contribute. We enjoy camping, though.
I have never been camping before, this looks like a lot of fun! And that is some cool tent!
I have never been camping before, this looks like a lot of fun! And that is some cool tent!
I love it!
We use disposable diapers for camping, that makes at least one thing easier for us. I love how we'll remove all rocks before rolling out the tent and then I would drag a bare foot over the floor to pick the prime sleeping area for the parents only to discover an apparently invisible but pokey and uncomfortable rock under my spot. I'm like the Princess and the Pea, seriously! We've now upgraded to an air mattress and I kid you not I so just want to pack sheets and some blankets. I think I'd be more comfortable and warm. I do not like my old mummy style sleeping bag. I'm a side sleeper and mummy bags do not allow me to sprawl my leg out. =( I could go on, but I'll save that for when I'm not heading out to pick up a kid at school.
P.S. Try nursing in a mummy bag and see who has no covers. That's right. Mom! I'm not going to let my baby freeze.
I love it!
We use disposable diapers for camping, that makes at least one thing easier for us. I love how we'll remove all rocks before rolling out the tent and then I would drag a bare foot over the floor to pick the prime sleeping area for the parents only to discover an apparently invisible but pokey and uncomfortable rock under my spot. I'm like the Princess and the Pea, seriously! We've now upgraded to an air mattress and I kid you not I so just want to pack sheets and some blankets. I think I'd be more comfortable and warm. I do not like my old mummy style sleeping bag. I'm a side sleeper and mummy bags do not allow me to sprawl my leg out. =( I could go on, but I'll save that for when I'm not heading out to pick up a kid at school.
P.S. Try nursing in a mummy bag and see who has no covers. That's right. Mom! I'm not going to let my baby freeze.
I enjoyed this post. I really miss camping now.
I enjoyed this post. I really miss camping now.
You are so right! Camping is a lot like road tripping. You tend to forget the screaming in the car, too many potty stops, and the inevitable "are we there yet?" and just remember the fun stuff. But then if we didn't, we'd never do it again 😉
You are so right! Camping is a lot like road tripping. You tend to forget the screaming in the car, too many potty stops, and the inevitable "are we there yet?" and just remember the fun stuff. But then if we didn't, we'd never do it again 😉
I'm ROFL here! We have never been camping...yet....but it's something to look forward to!
I'm ROFL here! We have never been camping...yet....but it's something to look forward to!