Gimme S'More

I've always loved the outdoors.  Ever since youth, fresh air, exploration and dining "al fresco" has been a preference.   We used to go to the beach during the summers.  My hip Uncle and Aunt would bring their van (with tv, fridge and surf gear).   We'd stay all day, without sunscreen I think.  I think my aunt would keep up on Y & R  during our sea breeze and sun sessions.  Great memories.  I was so glad to get a ride to the beach (and for the day) and even better, hanging out with them.

My grandparents used to take us camping.  I can assuredly say it was not "roughing it"...not even close.  We did have to bring bug spray though, for the occasional bachelor mosquito (it was San Diego)...and yes, we were spoiled.  We had a tent (a real canvas one that you have to put together), a picnic table or two, and yes, probably hot showers.  We went to Pio Pico Park and as a kid...I though this was the most awesome place.  Possibly a whole 45 minutes from where we lived.  It had a sweet little pond with swans and the whole bit.  The McGrandparents would bring a few of us cousins and boy did we have fun.  It was where I learned that the song "Afternoon delight" wasn't about a coffee break, stuff like that.  Stuff you can only learn by camping...hahahaha.  The older cousin's could influence us younger ones...yet...uh..I was one of the top 3 in age. 

Some other camping memories included an rv which remained in the family for decades.   It recently has went on to make more memories for new families.  This was fun too, and had a different "feel" than tent camping.  Drive up, camp.  It seemed though that it was a little unstable because it seemed to rock a lot.  As an adult and talking with other cousins and siblings...I've learned that it had nothing to do with the leveling of the camper nor that it wasn't Richter Rated.

Another  camping  venture was with my now husband, on a spontaneous San Diego Lake Mountain jaunt.  Sure, sounds like a good idea, I'll call them...reserve "wooden tent" and we can stop at Target on the way for any needed supplies.  We call, we reserve, we shop.  We buy an 8 D cell battery camping lantern bologna and some spirits.  The rest stop on the way was quite lovely, embarrassing but lovely.   Our "wooden" tent at the lake campground (hot showers)...etc...was nice.  Apparently it gets cold up in the mountains and this sea level raised girl and the foothills of Ohio counterpart found out the hard way.  It was May!!  How cold could it be?  We froze...in this rough campground one is supposed to bring their own bedding (i.e. sleeping bags)...and maybe a  yoga sleeping mat for the plywood bunk.  We arose very early as the cold kept us sort of alert and awake.  Went fishing that morning, had fun but did not catch any fish, probably 'cause I was grumpy and telling campmate that he was fishing wrong (due to frostbite and tossing and turning on the lack of "camp" comforts.  Footnote:  he's been fishing since he was a toddler. 

So with my whopping under 7 ish camping experiences..(didn't recount all) ...I now have the camping bug.  What?  We've "camp crashed" my cousin's sites twice. They tell us where they are camping, we show up!!  Good times!!  We live along PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) and I see these funmobiles everywhere.  My brother and my cousin have recent acquirements in the RV departments.  Theirs are top notch.  A/C, showers, stove, foot massagers, skype, popcorn makers, HDTV, coconut oil/ quisinart juicer and Windsor knot tier (for the mobile office). I also hear that one of them is getting a home gym, but whatever!!

I had my first s'more with my first "camping crash" this year.  I know...I'm mid to late 40's and well, yeah.  My cousin (and now I realize that those younger cousins can influence you too).  What?  You've never had a s'more? (hubby either).   I'd never realized that I/ we were unusual.  Apparently it's a given when one camps.  Holy yumminess and thank you K bunch and thank you dark chocolate!!  There is more to the story on how to roast a marshmellow...so many ways:)