As a last minute, spur of the moment, fly by the seat of our pants decision; we agreed on Thursday night it would be fun to go camping over Mother’s Day weekend.  This declaration brought mixed results.  Ten years ago, this sort of spontaneous decision would have made me so frustrated, I wouldn’t have even enjoyed the weekend.  I like to plan things out, to get control, to dot all i’s and cross all t’s.  But luckily, my husband’s impulsive traits are beginning to rub off on me.  We did, however, learn a few things along the way.

For instance, do not expect to stay in a state campground without a reservation during peak camping months on a weekend.  I spent Friday tracking down and calling what seemed like every campground within a 90 mile radius of us.  The only option we were left with was going to a private campground.  Initially, I was bummed.  I did not want to bring my family to a parking lot full of retirees who hated young kids (yes, I really did have this narrow-minded of a view).  But this was the second thing we learned – you can still get into nature, even in a private RV campground with full hookups.

The lucky spot we found was near Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, so Saturday afternoon after we got the camper set up and the kids napped, we went for a hike.  Now Kyle and I would be the first to admit that we are not healthy people.  We want to be, it is a goal…but we are far from it.  In fact, one of the reasons we bought the camper was that we thought it would force us to get and do more.  So off to hike we go.

Third lesson we learned – an easy hike with a slight incline to a lookout point to the ocean means different things to different people.  It started out as a nice little stroll through the trees, along the river, stopping to take photos whenever the mood struck.

It somehow then turned into the most arduous climb I’ve experienced in a very long time.  At one point, where I thought my legs were literally on fire, I was pushing the stroller up a 70 degree incline, I’m sure.  It had to have at least been 65 degrees.  About half way to the top, Kade sat down in the middle of the path, propped his head on his knee and said “Dad, Get me OUTA HERE!”  I couldn’t have agreed more.  Kyle carried Kade on his shoulders most of the time, sometimes while pushing Berlin in the stroller.  After all, I had the excuse that I was already carrying two, right?

We were determined to make it though…and make it we did.  To the “Lookout Bench” we had been dreaming of and the ocean view.  I can only assume the ocean was somewhere to the left.  What we saw was an ocean of clouds.

Fortunately, the return trip was all downhill.  We even noticed the scenery this time, since we weren’t blacking out from lack of oxygen.  Although this was one of the more humbling experiences we’ve endured (as senior citizens passed us on the way up), it did give us a new determination for getting into shape.

Back at camp, it was time for a little relaxing on the playground and dinner.

Which brings us to the next lesson learned – I love full hookups!  This is camping with zero inconvenience.  I made Salmon with Curried Couscous, cooked in foil packets on a gas grill that attaches to the side of the camper.  Inside I prepped the food in an air conditioned trailer.  After dinner, the kids took baths to wash off the S’mores and campfire smoke.  And then, the ultimate….we plugged in the sound machine for them when it was bedtime!  And this is what I call camping – you now know what a pansy I am.  :)

Here’s  little tour of our Roo.  Technically, the camper stops in front of Kade’s bed, where the blue curtains are.  He’s sleeping in a fold out queen bed with canvas sides, and Kyle and I sleep on another fold out one on the back end.  You can see we turned the dinette into a pack-n-play stand for Berlin.  I don’t quite trust her to not roll out of the fold out beds yet.  The pack-n-play could fit in between the dinette and couch, but in the middle of the night when a kid is crying, it’s better to have the walkway.

Kyle and I spent the rest of the evening around the fire, chatting and burning old paperwork that I’d found during my pregnancy project of turning the office into a playroom.  Yes, I know that’s weird…but don’t knock it ’til you try it.  It was strangely satisfying.  I’ll tell you about our Sunday later, as this has turned into a monster of a post.