Moving Right Along and Slowing Down

Summer does that. It just keeps moving along and before we know it, the lazy days of summer are a thing of the past. I've read a few posts recently about looking forward to the end of summer and back to school thoughts. Please, for the love of blue skies and flip flops, let's not hurry summer! It will do that all on its own. It's not even the end of July yet!!

A week or so ago, we returned from our annual July family campout. This year there were about 26 of us, a mix of siblings, nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. It promised to be a great time.

Roger's Pass, enroute to the Kootenays

We arrived at our campsite later in the day, unloaded our goods, set up the tarp, and  prepared our sleeping quarters (tent and airbed this year, as Leroy our VW was on loan to another family member). Later on,  feeling a little chill in the air, we anticipated a warm, cozy night's sleep. At bedtime, we entered the tent, and settled on the blanket covered airbed, only to discover it was half deflated. After a few exasperated comments such as "I can't believe this" and "It was fine the last time we used it", we did what those of us who sometimes don't want to face problems do - we pretended it was a very, very slow leak which would get us through till morning. Wishful thinking. In less than five minutes, our bodies were resting on the cold, hard ground. So, we made a plan. He would sleep on the driver's seat of the truck until his stiff body could stand it no longer. I stayed in the tent and stuffed as many blankets under me as I could and attempted to sleep. I felt every sharp stone. About 5 a.m., after laying awake most of the night, I pulled my  beach chair into the tent, wrapped myself in my sleeping bag, and stuffed myself into the reclined chair,  with little dog snuggled in a blanket on my lap. That bought me two hours of shut-eye. Day Two's plan -- a trip into town to buy a new airbed... and taking a nap later in the day! 

Did I mention that last year, some friends allowed us to use their fifth wheel? All the comforts of home - a fridge/freezer, our own personal WC, running water, and a REAL bed! I, usually a self-proclaimed(somewhat) purist, surprised myself by how much I enjoyed 'camping' this way! So, to all of you People-Of-The-Tent, if you are ever given the opportunity to RV, take it. Just so that you can say you experienced it, of course. 

Several of us  had a discussion one afternoon about why people even bother to camp. Nothing is easy when it comes to camping, especially when tenting! There are no comforts of home, we haul water,  cook outside in the cold, in the heat, in the wet, in the bug-infested outdoors. We struggle to keep our food frozen and veggies cool in the coolers. We wash our dishes in murky water we would have long since drained if we were at home. We sit in chairs that wouldn't satisfy us for long if they were in our living rooms. We share washrooms with strangers, and we drink 'camp' coffee. And we do it all again the next year!

 So, why do we do this? Think of it as a Sabbath from the daily grind.  I think we just need to get away from home sometimes, break the schedule, breathe lots of fresh air, relax, and  really experience the outdoors. Take the time to appreciate and really notice our natural surroundings. Reconnect with those whom we may not see very often. Breathe.

Despite this unwelcome start to our camping trip, our week in the Kootenays was full of good times. We enjoyed our official 'sitting around the campfire' nightly game Mafia, laughter, sharing meals, playing competitive games, hiking, swimming,  and  getting to spend down time with relatives and friends. 

 I am thankful for extended family that enjoys together time. We are quite a mix of personalities, quirks, and life circumstances, which makes for a good pot of family stew! Every year is different! Who knows what flavour it will be next year?

my capable knitting help

my sweet Enzo-loving nephew

the younger set keeps us laughing!

Are you a camper? What do you love or hate about it?