So, life is always what it is. We planned a 2 part Historical Society field trip with friends of ours with camping in between. We had a glorious time!
After we filled up the van, it wouldn't start. So after some communication at home, Merry and Pippin were able to reattach a wire (or something like that) and get it started. Less than a mile down the road I called Aragorn because it sounded like a plastic bag was stuck under the car. He said to pull over right away so the car doesn't blow up. Hello? Seriously? No one is panicking here, but all of us. Then the car wouldn't stop. I'm not a mechanic and could hardly figure out how to open the hood in the panic to get the battery unplugged. (I do actually know how to "do" oil and windshield washer fluid, fill the car and change a tire, and jumper a car.... really... I am very skilled....) Somewhere in the panic we got the hood open.
So we set up a refugee camp.
What better time to practice Taekwondo since Bilbo was in need of a last stripe before he belt tested.
I'm still wiggling and pulling and yanking on that battery cord when the policeman showed up. No better time than a panic to try talking to a policeman while smoke is billowing from under the car and we are worried about it blowing up.
Once it was loose the van stopped so it was time to enjoy the scenery and start chuckling over the ridiculousness of the whole situation. There were a number of children crying and asking to go back home. Since this was mandatory fun time, that wasn't an option.
Our dear friends were on their way to get a 2nd car from their house and Aragorn, Sam and Frodo were on their way with an extra car and some tools. In the meantime we start unloading camping gear, food and clothing for 10 to repack a different car... Kili is sitting on one of the tents.
Everyone was overjoyed to see Sam's truck show up. God gave us a live-in repairman for a reason.
You can see by his face that he is very elated to save a damsel and 9 children in distress. Really, he loves this part of life.... no, not the first time!
This is a typical view of Samwise who has some inherent gift from God to just know how stuff works. Let's just say the genetics involved aren't from the female side of the pool.
Repacking. I'm thinking, I hope we can figure out how to de-strap the bag when we get there.
This is what a starter shouldn't look like, in case you were wondering.
Friends arrived, we divided up and got back on the road.
First stop was Wyalusing State Park. Oh, drat, I forgot the part sticker. Buying a pass *again*.
Next we set up camp in a lovely cul-de-sac, one site for the girls... (who fit like sardines in their tent)
one for the moms...
... one for the boys. About this point my boys come over and tell me that they forgot the tent poles. Seriously? Don't they just go in the bag with the tent? Not in my household. The good news is that the tent posts were safely at home.... Thankfully we had 4 tents along and our friends remember to bring things like tent poles.
Time for lunch.
Then we were off to Villa Louis. It might be noted that I hadn't received my membership pass so fortunately I had an email to prove membership. We like to live on the edge... of insanity... all the time.
Fur Trading Shop
That's tobacco curled up like that. Oh. Yum.
Our motley crew
After wandering around for a while it was time for our tour.
Suppose to look like spools of ribbon.
We were not allowed to take pictures inside. It was a glorious Victorian House. They had an 1800's wedding gown display which was really neat! It was the house of someone rather wealthy and just chuck full of memorabilia and glorious furniture.
The ice house. Maybe it's because I grocery shop... ALOT ... that I find ice houses interesting. I really could use a refrigerator/freezer this big.
I also really like a "summer" kitchen.
A real artisian well.
When we returned to the campsite we went to get a little view of the Mississippi River.
The boys in their tent. Kili wanted to be a big boy and sleep with the big boys.
Games of charades and reverse charades.
Have chess... will travel.
Building of the campfire for warmth and s'mores.
Kili near a fire was a bit alarming.
Cooking hot dogs and sausages over the fire.
whittling
Checking out the homeschool yearbook that just came out (and is awesome if I must say so myself)
Thankfully our friends are professional campers so they had all the needed times which we would not have even thought of.
s'mores
Hot burnt marshmallow, isn't that what camping is all about?
We've got this 100 years thing going. 1917 was the start of many great things (like Fatima)... and this state park. (not that a state park is only 100 years old.... I should have read the article... I wonder what is 100 years old?
Playing games into the night
Outdoor brushing of teeth, that was a new experience.
Still working on that Taekwondo so that Bilbo could belt test.
Others joined in just because they enjoy TKD.
Talking way into the night.
Time for Kili to go to bed... unwilling as he was. We had to wake him at 9:00 in the morning so we could get on with the day.
Let me just say it was COLD out. Sometime like 50. 50 doesn't feel bad unless you are trying to sleep at night. But just the same, I hardly woke at all except the roll over when one side or the other fell asleep on the hard ground... I did have a memory foam mattress, but somehow sleeping outside makes me feel like I'm sleeping upside down or something..... To be continued......
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