Monday, July 22, 2013

Thoughts From The Road - Tenting

I want to start by saying I am not opposed to camping or tenting. We spent many of our early married  years tenting and then switched to a pop-up shortly before we had Mallory. So I am no stranger to the outdoor lifestyle.

Friday was the start of our two week road trip out to Montana and back. Friday night we spent in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan at Indian Lake State Park.


Indian Lake State Park is one of my favorite places to camp. We have lots of wonderful memories of camping there with our little family of three.  Our pop-up is long gone but we have a very nice 5 person tent now.

Friday night was my first night in a tent in a very long time. We made sure we bought really good air mattresses before this trip, so I wasn't too worried about the sleeping part. Although I did not sleep worth a toot that first night. Thanks to the fact that it was windy so every zipper on the tent rattled and it seemed I had to go to the bathroom every two hours. It is a lot of work to get out of the tent in the middle of the night, find your sandals to wear, not trip over any of the guylines in the dark, and wander up to the bathroom in your pajamas. I would never wander down my street at home in my pajamas so I am not sure what makes it acceptable in a campground. Except the fact that I will never see these people again, unlike my neighbors who I will see many times. 

Needless to say I was a little bit sleepy on Saturday. 

Saturday and Sunday we spent in Bayfield, WI near Apostle Island National Lakeshore. We stayed at a private campground there.  I slept much better both those nights, but I would like to know why private campgrounds always put tenters in the most wooded area of the park, the people who are the least able  to defend themselves against mosquitoes. 


Tonight we are in a very nice mosquitoe free hotel, where I only have to walk 15 feet to get to the bathroom in the middle of the night and nobody will see me in my pajamas. 

The hotel was planned. I am no dummy, three nights of tenting, three nights of hotel, then two nights of tenting and two nights at a historic lodge at Glacier National Park and then two nights tenting again. This way Glen and I are both happy, which is exactly what marriage is about - compromise. 

14 comments:

Roxi H said...

Lol, compromise...... Wait til you hear my latest story.

Lynn said...

this is a perfect post, brings back memories as well...

Becs said...

Haha! Love it. This is why I don't camp....although my 7 year old is desperate to - your compromise agreement is the only way I can see it working for me too. Enjoy the rest of your trip. :)

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

compromise such an important word .. I don't do camping i have in the past...We used to camp at folk festivals and lots of people wandering around in the middle of the night in PJ's...

Simon said...

You are rock star to tent. That never appealed to me-at all! That whole walking outside to the bathroom-the PJ issue not even considered-not for me. I'd be awake the entire time. Glad you're having fun and hoorah for compromise. And hoorah I don't have to do it

Cathy H. said...

This brought a smile this morning! I remember camping as a child, but we had the cheap air mattresses that was pretty much like sleeping on the hard ground! My favorite part of camping was listening to nature as I fell asleep. You're a very smart girl to include hotels into your traveling plan!! I'm looking forward to hearing more of your trip!

Naomi said...

Smart woman! I haven't camped in a tent in so long... it's bound to happen as my daughter gets a bit older. :) The fun part for me will be seeing my husband camp. Lol.

Anonymous said...

I am actually laughing out loud about the bathroom trips in the middle of the night in your pajamas!! That is why the only camping my family does is in the family room (in a tent) or in the back yard in a pop-up camper!! I admire your good spirit and willingness to rough it!! Enjoy your vacation. I look forward to more stories and pictures!

Suburban Girl said...

Somehow I managed to convince my tenting husband of the wonders of historic hotels. Now we are both happy without tents. :)

Angela said...

I spent many nights on an air mattress in a tent with my parents, brother and friends. Love being outside but prefer a camper now, thank you! Great post.

Dotti said...

I'm laughing out loud ... been there, done this ... the whole night time potty thing while camping ... but it's been years. I think it wore me out. Good luck!

Deanna said...

Oh the joys of tenting...good idea to mix a little hotel with a little tenting, smart thinking!! That settles it, no camping for me...I get it way too many times in the middle of the night to potty!!

cheryl Crotty said...

This sounds like a great trip...I haven't tented in a few years but we did it the entire time we were bringing up our kids...we also had a pop-up. which I loved....
Today I love being in the woods...but cabin or a room now for me...
Sounds like you have figured out the perfect plan...
Enjoy the rest of your trip....

lafcustomdesigns said...

What a sweet post, Sarah. Ah yes, compromise. I'm not sure that's not a dirty word. LOL But then that's probably why I'm not married. I kinda like getting my way and Kobi never complains!! I'm proud of you for tenting. I used to do that too, but now I like my creature comforts. ;->