A camping we will go: take two

So friends, if you have been around the blog for a little while, you may remember this post: The Great Koziarz Campout.

And if you have not been around, its pretty much a must-read. It will make you….”appreciate” me more. [smile]

Something came over Kris and I a few weeks ago, and the words: camping, tent and mountains were involved. I must’ve not been in my right mind at the time because apparently I said, “Ok, let’s do it.” Apparently. APPARENTLY.

As a wife and a mom, I have learned that sometimes you just gotta take one for the team.  And the team? Loves the camping. So I got on THE most reliable source of information in 2011: Google, and looked up some campgrounds in the mountains for us to head to this past weekend.

And I found one that promised all types of beautiful things. Like campsites along side the river, clean facilities, peaceful settings and…just a FINE looking campground.

Destination, decided.

Now…on to the packing.

Tent camping is a lot different than camper camping. You need lots more things. And if you ask Kris he would tell you I brought the entire house. I am not sure I would deny that.

Finally, only 45 minutes off schedule, we took off.

Two hours later we arrived at promising campground…

But uh…I have a NEWS FLASH. The google? It can lie. Oh yes it can.

Because this campground? It was not peaceful [next to a busy road], it was not clean…we didn’t even see any “facilities” and…uh…there was NO ONE else there setting up camp. [I wonder why??]

So, momma had plan B. Because I have learned my lesson about plan A. We passed a family-friendly looking sign for another campground nearby. And thank the good Lord it is 2011 and we have the smart phones so, we quickly googled the campground and were very pleased yet cautious with its promises.

And this one was a success! Whoo hoo.

A few minutes later we  Kris was ready to set-up camp.

He’s so friendly with his camp-setting up issues. Ugh, camp set-up? Its so stressful, I do NOT know why he enjoys doing this!!

Say, “Cheese!”

He’s not saying cheese FYI. [wink]

Hopie will say “cheese” for me.

But alas, our eagle scout daddy got everything set-up just in time for dusk.

Do you hear him? He was totally channeling a Tom Hanks  Castaway moment: Look what I have created: FIRE!!!!

Our first night we had the camping  dinner staple: hot-dogs.

But then it was time for the camping fun desert staple: SMORES! The girls LOVE the smores. Can you tell? [smile]

So here’s a run-down of the camping top ten:

1. Taylor’s tennis shoes catching on fire.

2. Me, sleeping in the car because it was SO loud and SO cold. Who knew mother nature had so much to say in the late hours of the night? MERCY.

3. Finding ear plugs the next morning.

4. Kennedy waking up at 2 am screaming, “TAYLOR, give me the marshmallow’s!” [priceless, totally priceless.]

5. The plague of the frogs. [thousands of them…everywhere! 2nd news flash: little girls don’t like frogs…or mommas for that matter.]

6. Making Ho-bo’s chicken night #2 and everyone chowing down on it.

7. Hiking to see a waterfall. Simply beautiful.

8. Celebrating 11 years of marriage in this very chaotic setting of a campsite. Seemed very fitting…[smile]

9. Kennedy insisting on these hats for her “hunting hike”.

10. Three girls smiles, giggles and sweet moments that we will never forget.

Although, I think my inner camping thoughts could be summed up through this picture: