The Great Outdoors

I have returned to civilization and must say that I enjoyed my camping expedition! For me, it's always nice to step back and take a few breaths. That's what camping did for me. I couldn't grade papers or do laundry or make lesson plans for the week. The only thing I had to do was sit by the fire and relax. I must admit, however, that I can only have the great outdoors and ample free time every now and then. Too much of a good thing is never good.

We ended up having to put up two tents. Once we got the first one up, we realized that the zipper on the door didn't work, and I am quite scared of furry animals of the forest. So, we got started on the second tent. It was a two room tent and required a little more thought in putting it together. We managed without too many frustrating moments. Thanks, Megan (Brad's sister), for letting us borrow the tents!

We got settled in, fired up the grill, and got the ribs going. YUM!!! When it started getting dark, we decided to build a fire. I wanted to learn how to start a fire the real way. Do you know how long that actually takes? Enough of that. We got out the lighter fluid and drowned those logs. What a sight it was to see that thing blaze up!!!

Of course, there was hot dog roasting and smores making. Right in the middle of a bite of gooey marshmallow, we had a visit from a little friend. Do you know what roamed up for a visit? A raccoon! These things are not cute little creatures. They are big, with scary glowing eyes!

That brazen little critter sauntered right up to us. I screamed and took off running behind Brad. I managed to get on top of the picnic table in a single leap! That raccoon came right up to the table, sniffing our food, and then strolled over by the tent. I was screaming, and Brad was chasing after the thing with our hot dog roasting stick. We caused quite a scene. It finally ran off, but that raccoon frequented our campground several more times last night. Each time it was met with my screams, a leap to the picnic table, and a thrust from the hot dog roaster. Boy, was it brave! By the end of the night, Brad was facing one way in his lawn chair, and I was facing the other-- a true lookout stance! Apparently, I'm not a very good watchman, because before I knew it, Brad had leaped up, hollered, and I saw a streak of gray dart into the woods. Oops! I had let the raccoon get all the way under Brad's chair!

All in all, we had a great time. I did pretty well with the camping thing and even plan on venturing out into the woods again in October. I'm such an outdoorsy girl!

Belle and Beau weren't camping fans.

Chopping wood for the fire

See those nasty little eyes?!