Our trip was doomed from the beginning. I spent the week packing up everything we might possibly need, I probably packed enough stuff that if we had been lost we had exactly six months of supplies and clean clothes. That was plenty of time for someone to find us before we died. So the day of the camping trip arrived and we excitedly packed up the truck and loaded the canoe on top. I was determined to do a little fishing while we were out.
We got approximately twenty minutes from home when Grants dad called to wish us luck and happened to mention life jackets. Oh **** we forgot the life jackets. So we turned back around because we did not load up that dumb canoe and damage the truck in the mean while to not be able to actually use it.
We drive for the hour and forty five minutes to the bottom of the dirt road that leads up to the lake. We stop at the gas station to pick up a few we really didn't need because I packed everything imaginable, but this is the last chance to take advantage of civilization until we return from our trip in the morning.
We drive up the dirt road and get to the campground where we encounter our second problem. They want $18 for us to spend the night. We had planned on this, I was happy to pay these people until it dawned on me. I didn't bring any cash and in the wilderness they don't accept credit cards, or checks! So we dig threw my purse and Grants wallet. We search the ashtray of the truck and the floor boards and rummage threw the seats. Basically we tear the whole vehicle apart looking for enough money to camp at this campground. We felt pretty triumphant when we were able to find $17.64. We informed the lady at the booth that we had come up with an amount close to what she was asking for. We begged for her to have mercy on us. We were only .36 cents short of a great camping experience. She frowned at us and informed us that there was an ATM at the gas station at the bottom of the dirt road. We should be able to get the rest of the money from there.
So we drive back down the mountain to retrieve .36 cents from the gas station and head back up with our money in hand. We pay the lovely lady at the booth and go find our camping spot. We find this picturesque place with a fire pit and flat spot for our tent and declare that this is where our great camping experience will happen! We jump out of the truck and immediately begin setting up our tent. We figured if we got the tent set up and toss our sleeping gear in it we could head down to the lake and do some fishing before the day was over, because by the time we got there, there wasn't much day left. Just as we're finishing up our tent and getting ready to load it up with all of our gear it starts raining. I'm not talking about a little rain either, I'm talking about full on down pour and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Well mommy to the rescue I packed enough garbage bags for our one night camping trip to successfully put all of our gear, sleeping bags, pillows, blankets, suitcases and food in and lug it over to the tent. As soon as we were finished with that the rain stopped. Annoying right? We go to all the trouble of keeping our things dry when all we needed to do was wait twenty minutes and it would have been no problem at all.
So we decide it's time to head to the lake, we back the truck down the dock and unload the canoe. I throw in my fishing pole and tackle box. I also toss in a box of Ritz crackers, squeezy cheese and some pickles so that Grant and Alaina have something to do while I slaughter the little fish. Neither of them are that into fishing. I get my life jacket on and then I get Alaina's life jacket on while Grant is doing the same for himself. We decide it's best that Alaina and I get in first and Grant will get in the back and get us set on course to the middle of the lake. If only we had made it that far.
The second Grant tried to step foot in the canoe it flipped over. I don't mean a little water splashed into the canoe I mean the whole thing went upside down in the water sending me and four year old little Alaina into lake. All of my fishing gear is now floating out to sea along with our Ritz crackers and squeezy cheese. The pickles sank as soon as they hit the water. My first instinct is to grab my pole and tackle box and then I remember I need to make sure my first born is ok first. So I glaced back really quickly as I'm diving to retrieve my precious gear. She was fine, the water was shallow as we hadn't even left the boat ramp.
Once everything was back in the canoe and Alaina and Grant were safely on the dock the real chaos began.
Alaina looked her father in the eyes and yelled at him "You can't ride in the boat any more, you're to big!!!" And Grant in his embarrassment yelled back at her "Well you can't play video games any more because you are to small!!!" At that very moment another boat motored over to make sure we were ok. I still wonder if it looked like we might actually need help or of they just wanted to get a closer look at the freak show that was taking place at the waters edge.
I was to embarrassed to stay at the lake any longer so I made Grant get the canoe loaded back up on top of the truck and we headed back to our campsite to get dry clothes on and make some dinner. We had hot dogs and roasted marshmallows. Both of which I hate, I'm still not sure why I packed them and my seven month pregnant self ended up eating beef jerky and Cheetos for dinner.
Finally it was time to lay down and go to bed, we rolled out our sleeping bags and pillows and all got snuggled in to the tent. I don't know who thought it was a great idea to not bring an air mattress. I guess when you haven't slept on the ground for a while you forget how hard and rocky it really is.
Some time during the night Alaina grabbed my pillow and declared it was to lumpy to sleep on the ground so she stuffed mine under her and drifted off to a peaceful sleep. I on the other had prayed for the night to end. I watched the moon drift every so slowly across the night sky and just hoped for either morning or death. Whatever one was going to come sooner. Finally at the crack of dawn I was able to leave the tent and start packing up our things. I was done, forget being like Pocahontas in my canoe, forget enjoying the fresh mountain air, forget spending time bonding with my family. I wanted to get the hell out of there and never go back! Guess what folks, we still have not taken another official camping trip as a family. We've had plenty of family vacations where we stay in hotels or other places with beds, running water and civilization, but we have never again stepped foot in a campground with the intent of removing anything from our vehicle let alone stay for more then a few minutes to let the kids pick some leaves from the trees in the fall.
No comments:
Post a Comment