Fourth of July Camping

Yesterday, we dusted off our gear to prepare for our first family camping trip in 2 years.   We love to camp.  It is sad to think that it has been this long since our last trip.  Okay, that isn't quite accurate.  My husband and I love to camp, my children love to eat marshmallows.  This is why we have not been camping in 2 years.


When Amelia was 6 months old, we took her camping.  We packed and planned as we always did.   

1. 1 two person tent, two sleeping bags
2. 2 vizsla dogs
3. minimal clothes
4. hiking gear
5. small camp stove
6. compact food
7. random survival essentails

Of course, we added in Amelia's clothes, diapers, a few small toys, an infant carrier and bedding.  It sounded so simple.  The baby would enjoy the fresh air, sleeping close to her parents and watching the dogs frolic around the campsite.  The reality didn't follow the dream.  The baby cried.  No, not cried, she screamed.  She screamed in the car.  She screamed while we unloaded and set up, she screamed while we (tag team) ate.  At home, my salvation had always been taking Amelia for a walk.  So, around nap time, we strapped her in to our Kelty carrier and set off for a hike.  She screamed for 3 miles until we gave up and turned around.  She finally fell asleep about a mile from our site.  This was not camping. 


Two years and one child later, we went on a group family camping trip (maybe some of you were there with us?).  Having giving up the notion that we were authentic campers anymore, we came prepared.   We brought everything listed above and...

1. puzzles
2. beach toys
3. two backpack carriers
4. a dog backpack (pack it in pack it out)
5. a giant coleman stove
6. a full size coffee maker (hey, why not with everything else) 
7. children's clothing and foot wear for every possible weather condition
8. a port-a-crib

I wish that I could report that bringing all of this helped.  It didn't.  We wound up putting Amelia (almost 3) in the crib when she WOULD NOT GO TO SLEEP.  Jack picked up the screaming where Amelia left off.  I am sure our friends wished that we had stayed home.  


After swearing off family tent camping we tried a new approach.  We purchased and old VW Westfalia.  With two beds, a refrigerator, sink, stove and lots of storage, we felt we couldn't fail.  It was better.  Still, it just didn't feel worth the trouble.  It seems that I am blessed and cursed with children who sleep beautifully at home, but cannot sleep well anywhere else.  So, what did we do next?  Three years and one child later, we bought a cabin in the woods.  Extreme, yes, but we are a stubborn pair.  So far, it has been perfect.  But, camping it is not. We still miss camping.


This 4th of July weekend, we are headed to the beautiful Hoh Rainforest in our Westy.  As always, I have high hopes and happy dreams of family hikes and dry weather.  I don't know that I have learned much through all of our trial and error.  We are bringing Liam's backpack full of matchbox cars, bikes, a potty chair, and a DVD player for the ride.  But, we are going camping!  St. Christopher, please smile down on us.


Are you camping this 4th of July weekend?  What does family camping look like for you?