Camping 101

willowdawn — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:56:15 +0000

OK, so we’ve been camping since the dawn of time. We should be better at this by now. The family went out to Douthat State Park in Western Virginia this week. Four of went, so it would make perfect sense to bring four sleeping bags, right? Well, not if you are us. Four people, three bags. So imagine the fun of “sharing” one mummy style sleeping bag between two tall adults. In case you don’t already know this, a mummy style bag doesn’t unzip completely and it narrower in the feet end than the shoulder end. Guess who got no sleep. :o)

Loosing the battle, but she won the war!

Second rookie mistake? Well, imagine trying to cook and your only utensil is a paring knife. Those who know me, see the humor in this. I have one of the best stocked kitchens this side of Houston, Texas. The best stocked kitchen belongs to my in-laws! So how on earth did I leave the house with nothing to cook with? Beats me. Fortunately there was a Kroger outside the state park boundaries, and they were open at 7:30 p.m. on a Sunday evening! Yeah spatula and tongs!

But it was beautiful. We kayaked, hiked, and threw large rocks into the lake.

Each morning the sun would rise over the mountains and burn the fog and mist off the lake. So beautiful and peaceful.

We took an afternoon jaunt into the surrounding areas and discovered the Oldest Covered Bridge in Virginia, the Humpback Bridge, complete with a rope swing underneath and some the best skipping stones in the creek.

- your wish is my command Mr. Doornbos. Pics of the bridge )

If you live anywhere near Virginia, and like to camp (who doesn’t!?!?), I highly recommend Douthat.

willowdawn | Whidbey Island, Washington's Premier Photographer » lake

Camping 101