Friday, June 13, 2014

Friday the 13th Mixup: Campers Not Wanted & Fred

A person can discover a lot things about themselves when they go camping.  Before I began my adventure, I researched, pinned and planned like you wouldn't believe for my family's camping trip.  My goal was to create a wonderful experience with my family.  My husband was on vacation, the kids were on break, I slowed down work for a few days...you get my point.  The idea of jumping into pseudo-survivor mode really had me excited for this excursion.

Well I found out something new about myself.  I'm not a fan of camping. In fact, if the apocalypse heads my way, I probably would be one of the first to go.  The realization is a bit depressing, but that's the truth.

Take away the heat, the noseeums and mosquitoes, my kids whining and Fred almost having a heart attack, it wasn't all that bad.  And yet, it wasn't all that great either.

I never once complained though.  When you're a mom, you often try to please everybody else that I find it's never a good thing to start complaining.  Once you do, then it's like the little ones follow your lead and everything goes down hill.  Camping takes so much work it's mind boggling.  In the end, we left early because the truth is we suck.  Fred wasn't doing so well and the other dog we have, Spike, became ill at the boarders.  All and all it wasn't the best trip, but we did try.

Yum!
When did I realize that camping wasn't for me?  When we left and I ended up asking my husband to stop a restaurant so I could have a rum runner.  Yeah, just 40 minutes of drinking a rum runner and enjoying a mahi mahi sandwich did it for me.

Anyway, I thought I'd share some images of Fred during our trip.  He seldom poses for me anymore.  In fact, he hides.  Bless him he's getting old.  Still, my husband captured these wonderful images of him.


That's it!  Happy Friday the 13th!  And a special Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there.

Mina Burrows

9 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

What almost gave Fred a heart attack?
I'm with you - I don't like camping. My idea of camping and roughing it is a three star hotel.

D.G. Hudson said...

I'm not a fan of camping, either. It's too much work, the bugs, I can't make a quick coffee in a tent. I like nature, it's fun to visit, but I'll live where the electricity is.

Elise Fallson said...

I should share with you how we go camping at our house. 1: The kids clean the living room and put away all their toys. 2: I push the couch and coffee table out of the way. 3: I pitch the tent right there in the living room facing the TV. 4: I put a spare mattress inside the tent for us to sleep on. 5: I make popcorn. 6: we get into the tent, watch a movie and eat popcorn until we all fall asleep! This is a great way to get the living room clean AND, you don't have to worry about the damn bugs. :D Hugs to Fred, miss you!!

Dianne K. Salerni said...

I have never been camping. I hope to go the rest of my life without ever camping.

I told my husband early in our marriage that I expected vacations to be LESS work and MORE comfort than real life. Thankfully, he agreed and has provided thusly throughout our 20 years together.

So yeah, when the apocalypse comes, I'll surrender.

Heather R. Holden said...

Aw, Fred is so adorable! :)

I've never gone camping, but it has always sounded dreadful to me, so I'm not surprised you ended up not being a fan!

Carla said...

We love Fred! Miss seeing him, but understand. Sophie sends him licks!

We used to go camping every year, but David was a Boy Scout and he had most everything you need already boxed up and ready to take. It took me awhile to figure out what I needed and gather a bag. (Flip flops to go to showers, non electrical hair items or curlers for special night outs, etc) Haven't gone in several years because of other responsibilities. We had a tent at first then got a pop up camper.
Glad you were able to have the adventure!

Michelle Wallace said...

Camping is not for me either.
Fred doesn't look too impressed with the whole situation.

J.L. Campbell said...

I know I definitely would not enjoy camping. I do enjoy being outdoors, but it's a matter of time before the sun starts to affect me and I get hot and miserable. Like the fourth picture. Fred looks reflective, almost.

Cynthia said...

I've never gone camping before...but I imagine if I do, the trip would end with me demanding that I get dropped off at the spa for a day of recovery.

You are brave for trying it out!