CAMPING

I hate to say it but David did most of the packing/prep work for this camping trip and I still managed to forget the camera, the one thing I am responsible for bringing. Ah, but it certainly doesn't effect the camping experience and thankfully, Hubs packed the food. We're getting this camping thing down to a fine art. We have a "cook ware / misc" tub that has a lid and includes things like clean dishes & silver ware (I TOLD David hanging on to a few pieces of the junky stuff we had when we were single would come in handy when we placed the beautiful stuff my parents got us as wedding gift in service!!) two pots, one w/lid, old pot holders, paper towels, tongs, TP and other basics. So preparing for a camp trip basically means grabbing the tub, sleeping bags, tents, a cooler w/food and doggie water bowl. After this trip we've determined we are going to slap together a small "Lock N Lock" with basic food items (rice, oatmeal, a canned thick lentil soup that's safe for Hubs to eat....) so cooler grabbing won't be necessary either. Clean up is a snap too, we pile all the dirty dishes in a bag and haul 'em home. Sleeping bags get shaken out on site and dirty laundry, if any, gets piled on the floor board behind the passenger.

David packed the food. He got some salmon steaks and asparagus. He laid the asparagus on a strip of tin foil, then laid the salmon on top and another single layer of asparagus. Followed, of course with a pat of butter and salt & pepper. When we got the fire going we just tossed those puppies over the fire and wah-lah a delicious dinner in less than 30 mins. And it was perfect.

Breakfast was a one pot affair. Hubs had onions chopped and ready to go. Light the fire, grab a pot. Dump in onions and raw sausage. Stir around until everthing's nice and brown. Throw in six or so eggs and stir until cooked through. Hm. Hmn. Delicious.

We probably won't have too many weekends left that are cool enough for us to be out camping so we're making the most of what's left. This little place was great - less than an hour drive, so you feel as though you're getting away but you're not in the car all day. I thought the water tables were unnecessary (we are now proud owners of a 5-gallon re-usable jug) but a nice touch. The grounds were a bit wet but the sites have about a six inch build up of sand on which to pitch the tent - thus it's always dry enough.

First thing Sunny girl did this morning when we freed them to take care of business was find a happy pile of something nasty and throw herself joyously on top of it rubbing it in like lotion. Fantastic way to greet the morning. She earned herself a freezing cold bath with Joy dish detergent when I spotted the maggots.... She was not amused: finally smells ready to camp and gets hosed down at the water table. Thank God for the water table. We used more than 5 gallons for sure!

So back to reality for us. This week is going to be brutal for me. Four exams, a paper and a project. The last four weeks following will have a steady pace but shouldn't be as ridiculous as this coming one....