June 30, 2006

Camping....

....in a tent. I have not gone camping in years, YEARS! The closest I came recently was a teen activity this past October, but at eleven o'clock Peyton and I drove home to enjoy our warm beds while Jason and another married couple chaperoned. Lucky them! Other than that, I don't even remember my last true camping experience. I've done the trailer thing, the camper thing, the cabin thing, but not the tent thing. At least not since I was a little girl. And if you really think about it, those other "things" probably aren't camping, but pretending to like nature.

Now, I do appreciate nature. I enjoy a good hike in the woods, a hot dog cooked on an open fire, a starry sky. What I don't like is no running water, no electricity, no comfy bed, no walls, no bathroom (at least not close by or that smells clean), and no ....... I'm sure there are others. And that list does outweigh the first.

BUT, I will pack, I will go, I will participate. I will make sure to enjoy the woods, the hot dog, the sky. I will try to find some enjoyment in those other not-so-desirable items too. Why? Camping seems to be one of my husband's latest passions - I think provoked by having two sons. It probably didn't help that I bought him a tent for Father's Day last year. So for Jason who wants to spend time with his family, for Gavin who loves the outdoors, and for Peyton who will experience his first camping adventure (at only 13 3/4 months!) we will go camping tonight.

And I will enjoy it!