we thought it was nice to go camping again (our first time was last year in acadia, maine, in september). as shown yesterday, we went to the white mountains this time. with all the crazy hot and humid weather, we didnt factor in the possibility of rain. somehow. even though every now and then we had quite the downpours here in boston... we left friday afternoon, just when it started to rain heavily! it was a 2.5 hour drive to our campsite, but there was some traffic. and rain! heavy, heavy rain that didnt seem like it would stop anytime soon. buuuhh... we found a walmart to buy some tarp, as many others did before us; most of it was sold out already. then to the dollar store (where everything really is 1 dollar, i like that store.. :) ), for some more cheap handy stuff. and yep, it was still raining when we reached the camping. luckily not as heavily, but enough to make everything wet. tim hung up the first tarp (i gave the occasional comment while watching), and then we put up the tent without getting too wet. like last year, another camper came over to ask whether we needed any help. it makes me wonder; do we look that amateurish or is it the "happy camper etiquette" that i dont know yet...? he also mentioned it was the 8th time he was there, on the same spot........ we got up the second tarp to stay dry during dinner and tim made a fire; not easy when its raining....
unfortunately, we were too late with booking the camp site and thus the next day we had to move all our crap and set up again 2 sites further, and thats what you see above... :) isnt it a wonder of fine engineering? (the tarps, i mean). right behind is the river, which we heard the entire night (quite soothing). this time we put the tarp right above the fireplace; nothing burned down and building a fire was quite a bit easier! also the second day we had quite some rain. everything was muddy and wet, and nothing wanted to get dry.... :( i could only think of how i would throw everything in the washing machine when back home again (i dont like dirt..., just because of that i will never reach the "real camper status", im sure...).
so... it was fun! and extremely interesting to observe the real american campers. my goodness! so many chairs (whatever they do, americans always bring a foldable chair)! and tents! and an american flag here and there (as if we dont know where we are...), partylights around the tent or RV or whatever..., food, food, food, and more electrical appliances than we have in our kitchen at home.... :) i guess im fine with remaining an amateur....
6 comments:
I laughed and laughed when I read this! I have fond memories of camping oh so many years ago when our kids were little, but then I remembered the rainy, muddy campsites, 2-yr-old daughter falling into a creek---over and over again, rowdy next-door campers, hornets and bees nests, scary midnight bathroom visits, and then the rain came down, over and over again!! It turned me into a pool and motel girl.
Always look on the bright side of life...
It looks so romantic camping under the trees along the water. It is sad the weather was so wet after all the heat you had. But great you did it anyway.
it was fun!! if dutch campers had a dutch flag hanging, people might think they were national socialists HAHA
We've camped all over northern California and through the southwest - places where it's usually dry - with a tent the size of yours and, yes, 2 chairs. When we got to WA and camped on the coast we noticed tarps all over (not as well engineered as yours). The drenching downpour in the middle of our second night made it all very clear. Puddles, mud, and a 90 lb. dog sent us packing home.
hahahaha. exactly, kate.... the bathroom visits.. beehh. and it is so very, very dark!
but yes, its all fine when its not raining.... with the rain it all becomes a little complicated and a bit less fun. but i still liked it! :) (except the mud)
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