This past weekend we went camping with some friends and family. Camping is one of my favorite weekend transitions, however being 8 months pregnant with two young kids, I did ask myself a few times "Am I crazy?" Yes it was a little crazy but you have to realize that I do come by it honestly. Growing up I had my fair share of wild camping experiences.
Every year our camping season would start on May Long Weekend and we would go as often as we could through out the summer. One year we went camping every weekend for five months minus 5 weekends. I can't even imagine the preparation for all that camping. Mom must have done the laundry and put it right back into the suitcase.
(For all my US friends, Canada's holiday Monday in May is held on May 24th, or the Monday before May 24th if May 24th is not a Monday. The holiday is called "Victoria Day" in memory of the late Queen Victoria, our longest reigning Monarch.)
One year we got the van stuck in the water while trying to dock the boat. Since my tent got wet in the process I got to sleep in the front seat while my parents slept in the back. But for the rest of these camping trips I slept in a tent by myself. I was 6. And did I mention I had to put the tent up myself? My mother wanted to protest on my behalf but my Stepfather insisted that I was fine.
I used to love to fish with my Stepdad. Even though he MADE me worm my own hooks and if I wanted to eat our catch of the day I also had to help gut the fish. I litterally lived the lesson of "The Little Red Hen". I'd like to just take a moment to thank my Stepfather, Lewis for teaching me to be tough and take care of myself. I don't know that I could have gone through as much as I have if it wasn't for all that you taught me.
As die-hard-campers we would even camp in the snow. It often snowed on the may long weekend and every tough Canadian camper was out there in the cold. My parents once were featured on the news because they were out camping after a heavy snow fall. So heavy the camp grounds had to plow the snow to let the campers in. The media thought no one would be camping, but many were, however my parents were the only ones cooking out side on the campfire.
My favorite part of camping is breakfast on the fire.... MMMM!
I wish I had a photo to share of my kids a few weeks ago when we were camping with Nat's family. It was raining out and they were bundled in their jackets running around in the mud. And they were loving every minute of it. So, it looks as though the family tradition will live on through my active little children!
