happy campers

I'm not what you call "outdoorsy". I prefer the comforts of being inside...away from the dirt, the elements, and the insects. My husband is the exact opposite. He seems to crave the outside environment, and looks for opportunities to spend long hours out there...gardening, working on outside projects, grilling, etc. Not me. I'll stay inside thanks. Much to the chagrin of my children, who have grown to share my husband's passion for the great outdoors.

Despite this, every year I look forward to going camping. Now, I'm not talking about strapping a tent on my back, hiking to the middle of nowhere, and "living off the land" type of camping. The type of camping I'm talking about is where there are fully functioning bathrooms, my car is only a 100 feet away, and I over pack the car with snacks, clothes, and amenities. For several years, Marcus and I have joined our good friends for a summer camping excursion in Northern Michigan. We stay at the Platte River Campground...located at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It is gorgeous! While I'm there, I find myself taking deeper breaths and soaking up the outdoors. Sure, I douse myself in mosquito spray...and usually the most strenuous thing I do is walk around Glenn Arbor for an afternoon...but lazily sleeping in a tent and shared time with amazing friends around the campfire is just the recharge I need mid-way through the summer.

This year, in addition to this all adult excursion, I went camping with Violet. A "Mom and Me" Girl Scout camping trip at Camp Deer Trails in northern Michigan. This was the first time she had been camping and she was so excited to be going with me...her energy was contagious. I don't think we were well prepared for this trip, though. Our accommodations were platform tents. When I was told this, I didn't realize what it really meant...a platform tent is a wood platform with a canvas tent over it with tie closures. No zippers. When I was setting up our tent, it dawned on me that the lack of zippers meant free access for woodland creatures and winged insects. Luckily we were given mosquito nets before sleep on the first night...and I'm not aware of any 4-legged visitors to our tent during our stay...and I'd like to keep it that way.

Of course it was an exhausting, but wonderful trip. Here are a few of the high points:

• Watching Violet make and eat her S'more. It was a gooey mess by the campfire light.  
• Playing elbow tag with the girls and moms. I made Violet pretty proud...she said I was so fast!
• During craft time, Violet sat down to make a butterfly with plastic twine and beads. This was a craft a bit too challenging for her...so I swooped in and took over. It took me the whole allotted time...and the finished product barely looked like a butterfly...but it made Violet happy, and the high point was finishing the darn thing. And when I finally finished it, Violet so lovingly said "Great job, Mommy...I was making it for you!"
• I didn't realize how much singing there is a Girl Scout Camp! I had so much fun watching Violet interact with the other girls and learn the songs, with accompanying motions. (We still sing "Rare Bog, Rattlin' Bog" around here.) She also had a speaking part in the skit performed at the talent show. It always amazes me how eager she is to join the fun.
• During the globally conscious lesson on oil spills and how to clean them up, the girls were tasked with making a boat out of tin foil. One girl in the group made one and put it in the water...a simple, but workable boat. Violet decided she wanted to do a more complicated boat...she took her time (while the lesson continued) and crafted a sail boat. I was proud of her creativity!
• Violet had found a tall stick early in the trip which she immediately dubbed her walking stick. She took it everywhere...and REALLY wanted to bring it home with us. Of course, she forgot it, which brought her to tears...but it made me smile that she had it with her the whole time. Just like her Daddy, who seems to find a walking stick every time we go camping.
• When we were getting ready for sleep on the 2nd night, I was busy digging out Violet's pajamas from the bag. She whispered ever so sweetly..."Mommy...you are my best friend." There's no words to describe how it warmed my heart.

Here are a couple pictures from our very special time together...and I can't wait to go again next year!

The view of the lake next to Camp Deer Trails.  Violet and I (and 2 other girls)
took a row boat out on the lake...which I'm sure amuses my husband. 

Violet and I turn the camera on us during a morning hike.

Violet enjoyed her swim in the lake, mostly spending her time looking for treasures...
like this plant, snail shells, stones, and a zebra mussel. 

Violet with her walking stick.

Licking her lips from a scrumptious campfire breakfast...chocolate chip pancakes and baked apples.