The Property Party

This weekend we went camping again. We only decided to do this on Thursday even though we knew about this event months ago. We were just too tired from the last camping trip, or so we thought. The event was a friend's birthday and the venue is his parents' undeveloped land about 45 minutes away. We decided just to spend the day up there but at the last minute decided to camp there on Saturday night. So again we loaded up the car (it seems just as full whether we are going for one or two nights!) and headed off into the great beyond.

If our last camping trip was considered modernized with the amenities, this was a 180 degree turn to primitive camping. Well, maybe not that crazy. The property is 64 acres way off the beaten path...think free range cattle and only accessible by bumpy dirt roads. We went up about 3 PM Saturday afternoon and got settled. There were about 60 people at this party, some who had stayed since Friday night...most in tents but there were some pop ups and small campers. The weather was gorgeous up there, in the 70s. We played several games of volleyball, drank several beers and the kids ran and played around the property -- which is fenced so there's really nowhere they can go to get into trouble.

The facilities were, uh, the opposite of modern. Over the hill was a 5 gallon bucket with a toilet seat and a shower curtain type structure around it for some degree of privacy. Since I had just expected a 5 gallon bucket, it was actually above my expectations. Keely had to go to the bathroom within 5 minutes of arrival and it was the first of many trips. She was pleasantly surprised too, and all was well. The night wore on, the sun dropped and it got cold! Again, polar opposite of the last camping trip. We were not quite prepared for the cold. Thank goodness for the warmth of the fire and our sleeping bags rated to 20 degrees. But boy, were my nose and ears cold! We survived the night though :) and it warmed up quickly once the sun rose.

The property owners cooked a huge breakfast for us on Sunday. So that is how James started out his Father's Day. Well that and with a huge headache :( But then he felt better, and I ate enough breakfast for the two of us :) We took a hike with our kids and some of their friends to explore the property then it was time to head home. It was a quick trip but we had fun and I think we will go back again next year. The kids want to spend two nights...but I am not sure that my back agrees, or that I would want to use that potty for any more time!