Family Camping

With this past weekend being our last weekend before school starts, we went camping. This marks the 2nd time this summer that Little and Mini went camping, the 3rd time in roughly 10 years that I've been camping, the 2nd time even for Jen to go camping--in a tent anyway--and the 1st time camping for Girly, Tiny, and Baby. Yes, we took a 5-month old camping. And it wasn't just us; two of our neighbor families--both much more seasoned campers--went too. So that made a total of 6 adults and 9 children under the age of 10. And it rained. A lot. And I wasn't there for the major rain storm due to football practice. But, overall, the weekend went well. The kids all had fun--except for the rain. Jen had a decent time--except for the rain. Fun was had by all--except for the rain. But even the rain was not that bad, as we had a "revival" tent that all of us could fit in.

I've always liked camping, and this trip reminded me of why I've always liked it. Camping forces you to be together. All meals are done together because all the food is cooked at once, and everybody eats what is cooked. Conversations are done together because sitting by a fire is cool. Sleeping is done together in a confined spaced--well, maybe that's not such a plus. Point is, being together is the best thing about camping. Sure the outdoors and swimming and fishing (if available) and all that other stuff is good too--the whole reconnecting with nature concept, but the togetherness is the best part. Especially as we head toward another school year that will pull us in various directions. Time with family and good friends helps keep us centered, and in an out of balance world, sometimes that's all we need.