Wow, I was so wrong!  Camping is totally in my comfort zone!  We had a blast. 

After a futile attempt to get EVERYTHING into the Acadia, we started over packing up the truck (I really was opposed to this at first, not wanting to appear too much like a redneck).  Even in the truck it was a very tight squeeze.  We were in the car pool like at 2:00 pm and Stella burst out of the school doors at 2:20 "like a bat out of hell"! 

Pulled into Stone Mountain to find we had the best site in the campground.  Absolutely beautiful, lake views and tons of space for the girls to explore.  Set up was a breeze thanks to the mandatory tent practice at home.  Tony and I worked together like one :).  Tent - check, air mattress - check, "kitchen - check, pillows - oh shit!  While Tony started up a fire, I hoped back in the truck and off to get pillows, because I had NO intention of laying my head down that night without one.  I passed the Walmart because I had already exceeded the yearly number of trips my brain can tolerate and found a no-name linen store.  I wasn't able to find anything down, but then realized we were "roughing it" so I settled for an average poly stuffed pillow.

Back at camp Tony had the brats boiling in beer, the beans on the stove and a glass of wine in his hand (hey, why not).  Rachel was working out her crankies on her own and it's best to let her do this WITHOUT making eye contact to avoid getting the stink eye. 

Stella had discovered a very interesting creature in the site next to us and was formulating the best way to catch her prey!  "Prey" was sitting on a large rock, looking out at the lake while his family was setting up their site.  Poor "prey" had no idea what was about to happen, that I almost felt sorry for him, almost.  His peaceful private reflection was disturbed by the rustling of the pine straw as Stella poorly attempted her "stealth" approach.  Startled, the "prey" tensed and shifted, ready to bolt.  Stella noticing she had been spotted, stopped and fained interest in the bark of a large tree; both waiting to see who would make the next move.   Stella, very slowly and deliberately took one step in "prey's" direction and then in the move that sealed his fate, "prey" lunged to the left.  Found he had gone in a direction that lead NO WHERE, Stella was easily able to close the gap that would lead "prey" back to the safety of his family.  Trapped!  Stella wins!  To his credit, "prey" accepted his fate like a man and said hello.  Stella beamed over her victory and "prey" was left to do her bidding for the rest of the trip.  "Prey" turned out to have a name, Billy, age 9 and quite nice. 

After a fantastic dinner out in the clean fresh air, the marshmallows and jiffy pop were bust out of the supplies bin.  The only thing missing were some campfire song (I don't sing).  A final jaunt to the bathroom and we all got tucked into our airbeds.  Stella fell asleep the moment her head hit her cheap pillow (she was exhausted after her hunting expedition).  Rachel on the other had decided she needed to watch a little Kung Pu Panda on daddies laptop.  I just sat in my airbed feeling happy!

There is no better way to start a morning than with freshly brewed french press java accompanied by scrambled eggs, hash browns and sausage!  Rachel spent the morning searching for pine cones and Stella spent the morning searching for Billy.  When Tony and I finally made it into real clothes, we headed over to the park area, where Stella bravely completed the high ropes course of Camp Highland!  Do you feel sorry for the attendant who had the misfortune of telling Rachel she was not tall enough to accompany her big sister and daddy?  It's sad to see a grown boy cower at a 3 year old!  So Rachel had to be pacified by stuffing her belly with soft pretzels and playing in her own private stream that was conveniently located where I could still watch Tony and Stella swinging in the trees. 

Back at camp, Rachel and I napped before dinner while Tony and Stella manned the fire (they were simpatico after "mastering" the ropes).  Dinner was steak, diced potatoes and grilled zucchini and squash, followed of course by smores and more jiffy pop!  Then we were off to watch the laser/fireworks show.  We made it though about half when I felt the lightest drop of rain on my shoulder.  We grabbed the chairs and the girls and made it back to the tent right before the downpour.  Of course we did not stake down the rain fly upon arrival and since there was a strong wind advisory, it HAD to be done.  Tony and I got soaked to the bone in the dark!  After that quick scramble we were back in the tent and dry.  The rain lulled us to sleep and was gone by morning.  The wind however was not gone which made the take down a bit difficult.  The girls were great (considering I allowed them to eat what ever they found in the storage bin).  After the goodbyes to Billy and his family we were on our way to find some hot breakfast.  We stopped at Cracker Barrel and I crept inside hoping no one would notice the fact we were quite dirty (and stinky).

Once home and the truck unloaded, Tony and I fell asleep on the couch while the girls played (wow)!  Their first question when we woke up?  WHEN ARE WE GOING AGAIN?  The answer to that question is Memorial Weekend.  I have already reserved the site, revised the "lists" and purchased some rain gear!

We are off!

Everyone has a comfort zone; some small, some huge....mine is kind of a medium size.  I've always been pretty aware of my comfort zone; what's in it and what is not.  Camping is not in my comfort zone.  So I've decided my family is GOING CAMPING! 

My husband and I have 6 year old Stella and 3 year old Rachel.  As far as that goes, I can see the "light at the end of the tunnel" meaning I finally have no more stroller, no diapers, no sippy cups!  I can be upstairs at the same time that my children are downstairs; a true liberating feeling!  I can go to the bathroom BY MY SELF (sometimes).  All of my slowly growing independence must have made me a bit crazy because before I new it a normal shopping trip to Costco for milk, laundry detergent and toilet paper ended in me coming home with a 10 person Coleman tent!  When I got home and asked Tony to help he unload the Costco trip from the car, his first response was "what the .... is that?"  (Humm, looks pretty self explanatory to me.... in fact the word TENT is clearly on the side of the box.)

Long story short, that was last Wednesday afternoon.  Tomorrow at 2:20 pm the Minter Family Inaugural Camping Trip begins.  I have spent the last week and a half "gearing" up for the courageous outing.  Since I am never one to dive into anything with out at least 10 different lists, I had to work quickly (possibly before reason jumped back into my head and I remembered that I dislike bugs and dirt). 

Campsite (lakefront of course) reserved at Stone Mountain (yes we are going to ease into "roughing it" - I'm crazy NOT stupid). 

Tent "practice" completed - Tony and I got it up in about 20 minutes (after very foolishly trying to set it up in the living room).  Guess what, a 10 person tent is pretty LARGE!  The take down took only 15 minutes AND we got in completely back in it's box.

Cast iron cookware purchased and seasoned along with all the needed (and unneeded) cooking  gadgets.

Sleeping bags you say?  No I don't think so, to ensure this expedition has a chance of repeating itself, I decided to go with the queen size double high airbed with the soft, flocked top and a super comfy down comforter. 

You can see where I'm going with this list so I will leave you with your imagination as to what else was "essential" for me to take on this trip.  I'm confident that those of you that know will me be pretty accurate.

So, the girls are excited, Tony is excited and I am beyond myself.  I can't wait!  The weather forecast?  Friday partly sunny with a high of 75 and a low of 55.  Saturday and Sunday, rain.  Yep rain.  Are we still going, of course.