So for the Labor Day weekend, Pat and I decided it would be fun to take the girls camping for their first time. The plan was laid out and we were ready. We had all the gear and food...all we needed was Arianna to get out of school so we could get on the road.
The camp ground we reserved was about 2 hours drive. We knew we would hit some traffic, but of course, it took us about 4 hours to actually get there. Everything was going pretty smoothly. Alayna didn't like being in her car seat after about 3 hours of driving, but it wasn't too bad. Then Arianna tells us she needs to go to the bathroom. So we stopped off at a little town called Copperopolis. This town was about 20 minutes away from our campsite.
As we get out of the truck, we could hear a band playing the good ol' tunes of Billy Joel...can't complain too bad to take a restroom break and get a concert with it. Then we get back in the car to head out. There was still a lot of sunlight left for us to get there and set up our tent and scout out the area. Pat goes to put the key in...nothing. He tries again...nothing. The battery died!
We call a tow since we weren't quite sure what was wrong and our insurance paid for road side assistance (and we might as well get our money's worth). The guy tells us he will be there within 30 minutes. So we wait as we listen to the great music.
Finally the guy arrives and it is determined that the battery was the problem. We are told that we need to buy a new battery and we should be able to find a Kregan's in the little town we are headed to. 30 minutes after we leave Copperopolis, we arrive at Kregan's to buy a new battery for the truck.
By this time, the sun has set. It is still light out, but not for long! Pat and I actually had to take out the old battery, and put in the new one. Finally at about 8:00, we are done. The girls are hungry and Alayna is tired of being in the truck. We decide to just grab a hamburger from Burger King since it was dark now and we would need to spend our time setting up the tent rather than making dinner.
We make it to our actual camp area, set up the tent (as Alayna sits in the truck and cries), and then we got the girls ready for bed. I don't know if Alayna got her second wind or what, but man was she excited about being in the tent. She would not lay down and relax to even consider sleep. This went on for about and hour and a half. Climbing over us, somersaulting here and there, then climbing over us again. Pat finally said, "The Best Western is sounding really nice at the moment!" I just responded, "I am fine with just packing up and going home."
So guess what we did? I would love to say I was determined to camp, but I was more determined to have a good nights rest. We packed everything up, in the dark of the night, and went home.
I love to camp, but I do not think I will be taking any little ones for a long time!
8 comments:
Wow, what a story!!
K that does NOT sound like fun. But it makes for a good memory! So, we will have to dinner after I babysit for you guys. When I come out there, we can make plans then:) Tim is swamped, but we will figure something out!
oh dear....
I also wanted to take the boys camping this year but when they couldn't even make it through the night in our backyard we decided to wait till next summer:) They did however go to the Father and Sons and slept just fine and I got to stay at home in the comforts of my own bed! Pregnant belly and camping doesn't work so well for me:)
Ang I give you points for trying! I would never dream to take my kids camping!!
Good choice. With that much drama, that is a full-fledged camping trip. Would it really have been any more adventurous if you had stayed and toughed it out? NO!
That makes me laugh so hard. It reminds me of our first camping trip as a whole family. Tanner was a baby, Joshua was a toddler, and Jared was a big boy of 6 years old. Flat tire on the way, terrible equipment (couldn't stay warm at night), Tanner cried all night so I ended up sitting in the car holding him.... etc. Jared still has great memories of it but I was so glad to get it done with and get home. Luckily all our camping trips since then have been way fun and I love it. It's all about the equipment and the food. Our last trip we actually ate steak and shrimp and it was so delicious. Don't give up, try it again in a few more years. Oh and the closer the better... you should try Big Basin on the way to Santa Cruz.
I LOVE it! I just laughed. Sorry! Kind of like when I kept calling you one day and instead of you saying "hello" when you answered, it was a giggle everytime. That is what I was doing. Maybe next time your camping trip will turn out different. Ooh, and a 3rd baby girl too!! :)
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