Part 2: The Camping Experience

Now that the weekend is behind us and all the suitcases, overnight bags, campfire clothing and sleeping bags are clean and put away, it's time to tell the story of The Boys First Camping Experience.
Once upon a time there were two young boys and a their father.  They embarked on a camping adventure that lasted for three days and two nights.  It all started with a simple question, "Do you boys want to go camping with me?" asked the father.  "No!" cried the two young boys.  Since father is much older and wiser, he decided a camping trip was in order anyway.

After seeing the tent they would be sleeping in set up in the backyard, the two young boys started to change their minds about camping, and soon the father was hearing questions such as, "When are we going?" and "Is it time to go yet?"

The day of departure had arrived and the two young boys awoke early and hurriedly ate breakfast, brushed their teeth and dressed.  Then they packed their backpacks with all the necessities for camping.  Toothbrush, flashlight, stuffed animals, little plastic critters (frogs, snakes, spiders and caterpillars), and a picture of their mother (not! :D).  The two young boys were ready to go.  There was only one problem.  It was going to be at least three hours until father was ready to go.  The car still needed to be packed with all the essentials and father had adult responsibilities to fulfill before they could be off.  This might have caused a problem with the two young boys who were impatient to leave, but they took it in stride and decided to wait it out in the car.  Yes, in the car!  Those two cuties waited out almost the entire time in the backseat while father went back and forth arranging the camping gear to fit.

Now on the road, the ride went by pretty quickly and before long the two young boys and father arrived at the state park they would be camping in.  They picked out the perfect spot to pitch the tent and unloaded the car.  With the tent up and sleeping bags in place the two young boys couldn't wait to join the rest of the campers around the fire.

It rained on and off for the rest of the evening and E amused himself with catching the rivers of water running off the top of a tent.

Time for bed.......

The next morning the boys awoke and had pancakes and sausage for breakfast.  L said the pancakes were the best he's ever had!  After breakfast the day was theirs to conquer.  First, the two young boys and father took a trip into the nearest town to find new shoes for L, who found holes in the bottom of his current shoes, (not good in rainy weather!)  When they arrived back at camp, they played football and kickball with their fellow campers and then they decided to go for a hike.  They found a map that marked the highest point in the park and this became their destination.  Marking the spot was this bench.

After a long hike....

Some critter catching....

Some tree climbing....

More critter catching....

Heading back to camp.....

Dinner was hot dogs for the kids and beef tenderloin with mushrooms for the fathers.  After dinner it was time to relax... 

This was the beautiful sunrise to greet the campers the next morning......

The two boys slept so soundly that they missed the short prayer service and almost missed breakfast.  On this, the last day of camping they played some more kickball and football with the other campers and went on another hike.  Then it was time to pack up camp, say goodbye to their fellow campers and head back home.  When they arrived home, E needed to use the restroom and could be heard saying, "It sure is nice to use a bathroom that smells good."

The two young boys caught mom up on all there was to tell about the weekend and decided they wanted to go camping again, but only after they slept in their own beds for....1067 nights!

The End