A Daily Dose of Splunder: Living off the Land

Ginny spent all day last Friday prepping for our weekend of camping in the great outdoors of Oak Mountain State Park just outside of Birmingham. Actually she just watched her mother frantically pack everything but the kitchen sink. We left Friday after work with the Reynolds family, who so generously volunteered to drive two children and respective carseats, two dogs and their accouterments, three adults and their camping necessities in one mid-range SUV plus a life-saving trailer. Even with the additional storage, we were packed like a can sardines. We arrived at the front gate of the campground just before sunset and were very excited to have just enough time to set up tents, feed kids, and get them to bed before the sun went down and they subsequently turn into monsters. As we were traveling with another couple (and their child, Cameron, and their dog, Nala), the father figures went in to check us in. Fast forward FORTY FIVE MINUTES (at least 10 minutes post-sunset), and the guys emerged from the campground's HQ victorious and desperately needing a beer or three to dull the pain and memories of what can only be referred to as an epic registration event. All hell broke loose and patience was in short supply. Babies were crying, dogs were barking, adults were starving, and we had a very long way to go before we could fulfill our visions of relaxing around a campfire with beers in hand. Strike 1.

Fast forward another nearly two hours and we had just barely managed to reestablish equilibrium. This night was going no where and everyone was in bed before midnight.

The next day, Saturday, started out really well. After a glorious breakfast burrito, the kids took their naps as we planned out our morning hike. We prepped the backpacks with snacks, water, diapers and sunscreen. If you're keeping track, the count is up to 4 dogs, 3 kids (all under 3 and in diapers), and 7 able bodied adults. On the trail, we look like a pack of well-managed gypsies. Within a mile, as previously planned, we met up with another family (now 4 dogs, 5 kids, 9 adults) parking their car along the trailhead. The dogs were luckily all well behaved off their leashes and they ran out their pent-up energy. Looking back on our 3 mile hike, it's really lucky that we emerged that afternoon with nothing more than a skinned knee and a couple of ticks. We were up against the napping clock once more as we shoveled food into kid's faces and laid them down for their afternoon naps. Ginny refused to nap...she just kept looking up at me like "it's 90 degrees, I am naked and sweaty, and my feet and knees are so dirty...I would appreciate a bath and a cushy, air conditioned crib."

The minor case of domestic violence at 4 am in the adjacent campsite was exciting but unnecessary and by the morning, we were ready to pack up camp and get back to civilization (and our beds).

All in all, Ginny had a great time putting sticks in her mouth and playing with the other kids. After a thorough de-lousing, she was so happy to be in her own crib and slept like a rock until 9 am. I am a new women after a shower and 10 hours of sleep. Gizmo has still not recovered.