Never go camping in the rain. Duh, right? I know. This does not seem like a piece of advice that needs to be imparted on anyone. Except possibly someone who’s a little slow on the uptake. Or someone who lives in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and doesn’t have a lot of choice when it comes to rain.
You see, while the first day of summer is June 21st for the rest of the country, it’s July 5th for the PNW. But when you decide sorta last minute to book a campsite and your weekends are limited and you’d like to go with your friends, you sometimes have to book a June weekend (note to self: either book earlier or just don’t go).
Yes, it was raining Friday while I was packing up the van. Yes, it kept raining all the way to the campsite. Did I have second thoughts? Sure. So did Big Daddy. But we didn’t want to disappoint the girls (Jemima kept saying, “This is my first time camping! I’m so excited!”). And? We kept hoping the rain would let up.
Big Daddy set up the tent and tarps while I sat in the car. I did put the air in the air mattresses. I’m not totally worthless on a camping trip. The girls of course did not care in the least that it was raining. These are girls who play outside in the pouring rain during recess. Three times a day.
We are beach campers. So Cal beach campers. We are not at all used to rain while camping. Nor do we understand the intricacies of a tarp. But I think Big Daddy did a pretty good job. Luckily our fellow campers had their site well covered. Also, they were the cooks on the trip, so we could sit under their tarp and eat their yummy food.
Of course I mixed up a batch (or two) or martinis (doubles, because the only thing that was going to preserve my good mood was vodka). Our combined girls (which totaled 4), sang a lot of Katy Perry songs around the campfire (um, not really the campfire. It was around the hot coals atop the dutch oven).
So that was a lot of fun! Then we went back to our tent. And listened to the pounding rain hit the tarp. (Why didn’t I pack those damn earplugs?!) The girls slept well, albeit not very long. When you’re camping you sorta can’t help but wake up early. Jemima’s sneakers and rain coat were soaking wet. She was miserable. The other girls’ shoes and coats were wet too, but they didn’t seem to care.
Big Daddy and I decided we’d had enough of the rain, so he took down the tent and tarps the same way he put them up. In the rain with me in the van.
Luckily, the rain let up so we were able to explore the beach and bunkers on the campgrounds. There was even a little playground on the water where the girls played. We enjoyed a yummy lunch and then it started to rain again. So we ate and ran. Toward the sun! We were all so happy to see the sun. Even though the girls were disappointed to leave, they were happy to be home and able to ride their bikes in the sun. Ah, sun. We love you. Please show yourself a little more often.
I’ve never been so happy to get home! To be dry, clean and indoors. Of course I’m still doing laundry. How does 24 hours of camping produce so much laundry?
In conclusion, do not go camping in the rain.
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13 Responses to Vodka Makes Everything Better
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So funny…ok…not for you. But because that would totally happen to me. I do not camp…but my kids really want me to! Thankfully you had your martinis!
Suzanne @ The Wine{a}be recently posted..Ode to Pinterest
OK, this is funny but I am laughing WITH you not AT you since we are PNW natives and have been in this sitch a time or 10 before. You had this adventure and have NO pictures to share with your faithful readers???
Melisa @ just begin from here. recently posted..a “type A” personality’s guide to letting go.
Just for you, Melisa, I added the one photo I took over the 24 hour camping trip. xxox
Have a drink cause you’ve been tagged. Come have a look.
donna recently posted..YOU’RE IT
So, our family loved “singing in the rain” with your family. Wet – for sure – but NOW at least we all know what else to pack for a drier time, next time, right?
And, Trish, your good-mood 100% martinis were spot on! Very nice, thank you, very nice indeed.
And that good man of yours “Big Daddy” was like all-you-do-is-add-water and “sha-zam!” he turned into one of those rare, and different, and adaptive, and musical, and useful camping expeditor kind of guys. My hat tips his way.
And those darned earplugs, always one thing or the other; after part of our FULL NEW BOX spilled they seemed to go everywhere. Well, at least that’s what was going on over in our tent.
And Jamima needs the chance to be excited about all her camping trips in the PNW and so we just need to practice the CAMP MASTER skill set!
Oh, yeah, “I’m nuts, I’m nuts, I’m nut’s.”
It wouldn’t have been nearly as enjoyable without all your yummy food! Who knew you could get food like that while camping? Next time let’s camp when it’s dry. Sound good?
Thank you so much for your answers! Makes me feel like I know you better. I think if I ply you with enough cocktails, I could get you on the spaceplane.
donna recently posted..YOU’RE IT
Donna. No. Fucking. Way. I will not do space travel. I will jump out of a plane, however.
Oh yeah! Cute little campers!
Melisa @ just begin from here. recently posted..a “type A” personality’s guide to letting go.
Girl – YES INDEED vodka makes everything better. We really need to get together and discuss that in person. Over vodka.
Second – I am no camper. More power to you. I have to admit, I don’t even know if vodka could improve camping for me, I’m such a baby about that kind of thing!
Missy Bedell (@literalmom) recently posted..Great Expectations – with Greta Today
I dont like camping not in the rain. lol. My family tried to start a tradition on camping in a backyard on memorial and labor weekend. only happened 2 years I think. I never stayed.
mom2kmjx2 recently posted..More Shirts to Skirts
You’re smart. We are camping again in August. I’m hoping it’s not raining.
Yes, Missy! We need to get together and discuss vodka in person over vodka. Let’s make that happen!