The very first semester of college I majored in camping. So say my parents, of course, having seen the inadequate report card that followed. Truth is I went camping twice in those fifteen weeks or so. David too has similar college camping stories that included waking next to a spider inside his tent who based on size alone should have been able to pull out a wallet and split the campsite costs.
Fast forward 20+ years later...
And about four hours into the drive north, we need to make a stop for dinner. The majority of the drive is mostly uneventful, even though we are pushing the limits of our children's patience. Against all better judgement we choose McDonald's. Pretty sure this is a first for Ella—but what's more concerning is there was no changing table in the bathroom. College town, okay we get that, but not inconceivable that a parent with a kid would walk in and be in need of one.
Quickest meal possible and back on the road for an arrival to the campsite in the dark. The husband of our experienced family—who is also named David and doubles as our neighbor—drove up first thing that morning to set camp up for everyone else who would be arriving after dark. It's his birthday and somehow he talked four families into joining him and his family on a fun-filled birthday camping weekend. Thanks David!
As soon as we got out of the car the cold was prevalent—we left 82 degree weather and arrived at least 35 degrees less than that. Forecasted to be 34 degrees overnight, we immediately put on layers and coats, unloaded sleeping bags, and set up the sleeping pads in our pre-pitched tent. It's cozy and seemed to be a good set up. We were ready. And so were Ella and Ethan.
We wish the story went deeper from here. Yes, it was cold and yes we woke up in a frozen tent. Yes, the eggs made the 300+ mile drive—insider tip: buy eggs in the foam crates and don't store them directly near ice. And the hikes were freaking awesome even with us carrying 25lb Ella on our backs. Yes, go camping with a ton of people who know what the F they're doing.
In short, as David summarizes, the Hamburglar made Ella Grimace all night long.
What unfolded overnight nearly killed us. Tested every fiber of our beings. Made me question my adult status. Made me question my ability to parent. Wait, are those coyotes coming closer to our tent to haul Ella away? Bloated from the McDonald's burger complete with gas pains, Ella cried all night long–with the exception of the hours from 4-6am wherein she finally settled down and we both got some sleep. Ethan? slept through all of it. David only slightly less than him. More surprisingly is the immediate campers around us didn't give us too much grief in the morning and no other campers in the surrounding area came at us with axes or whatever wilderness tool.
The morning after...