Today is the first snowfall of the season here in my neck of the woods. It has brought happiness to kids and adults alike who love snow, happiness to plow drivers, anger to the people who have to drive in the snow and hate driving in the snow. It's a mixed bag of feelings for everyone in the area. My kids, myself and our puppies (especially the new one) is happy with the snow.
We picked out our Christmas Tree today, in the snow, which was a first and very enjoyable. We're now having an enjoyable fire in the fireplace and the kids are playing a board game. The sound of laughter and a crackling fire fill the house. It's times like this, especially knowing the snow is coming down outside, makes it even more special.
I took a short walk outside with my headlamp on to get another piece of firewood. There's something extra special to seeing the snow coming down in the beam of your headlamp. The silence of the night adds to the peacefulness of my surroundings.
Writing this reminds me to enjoy the small things, be happy for the people that are laughing even if it just temporary, and enjoy the night. That's not something easy for me, it never has been. But it's worth trying.
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Thursday, December 7, 2017
We rented a Tear Drop Trailer!
I've been looking into renting a Tear Drop trailer for quite some time now. But never thought to justify it due to the cost and I'm a tent camper at heart. Well since it's late in the camping season and the temps are getting cooler and the prices to rent the trailer were cut in half, we picked a weekend and went.
It was very awkward from the beginning due to poor communication with the owner of the trailer rental place. Since it's off season they have limited hours and are hard to get a hold of over the phone. We didn't know for sure we were going until the morning of our trip. I had gotten out a bunch of camping stuff, in the event the trailer wasn't big enough for all four of us. Also I got out some cooking stuff, but in true form, I didn't lay everything out as to what I actually needed and was going to use. That will come back to bite me in the but at some point in the story.
I picked it up, brought it home, threw everything in it, the kids in the car and we were off. Our first stop is Hickory Run SP in Pennsylvania. We got there in the dark, searched for the entrance (which was passed twice) and picked a spot. Enjoyed a nice fire, some good dinner and the kids watched the movies we brought in the warmth of the trailer.
We took three dogs, another no no for those wondering. I can only trust one of them off leash, the other two would go explore in a second if given the chance, that point was proven on an early, cold, Sunday morning. The dogs mostly stayed in the car, while the puppy camped in the trailer with us. She's small and doesn't take up much space, not to mention she'd not be happy to be away from us and would probably cry most of the night.
It turned out that condensation was also an issue in the trailer, never opened the vent until the morning on night one. Even with the vent opened on night two it didn't do much better. We took turns being comfortable. Night number one the kids slept up against me and therefor my wife was on the more comfy side. Night number two the kids slept up against her and I was more comfortable. I honestly think that it wasn't really a king size bed, we fit with four kids in a queen the same way that we fit in the "king" size trailer. However, it was pretty comfortable all things considered. I had planned to sleep in the tent, while my wife and the kids slept in the trailer (even brought all the crap), but never did it and wish I had. It'd be perfect for two people, which, ironically, is what it was designed for.
My favorite part of it was the kitchen area with the fridge. Although there was limited storage and if I ever built one, I'd build it differently, it certainly was nice to have a countertop, stove and a fridge to prepare stuff. I didn't need to lug along a two-burner camp stove and small propane bottles, everything was already there and attached. We only prepared hot water, eggs and sausage but it was very nice to have. I can image that in warmer months when hooked to a full service electric and water, it would be a complete pleasure to have the luxury of a microwave, sink and a/c.
I honestly don't know if I'd do it again. The kids loved it but they mainly loved it for the novelty and the fact that it had a TV. I'm glad I tried it and if it was just my wife and I, with the chance of raining (and funds allowed) I think we might contemplate it again. For now, I'll stick with my 6 person tent. The best parts of the trailer turned out to be the kitchen and the ability to throw everything we didn't want in the car in the trailer and be on our way. I loved the night lighting around the kitchen and the trailer, makes for a very nice evening when wanting to have some comforts without a headlamp.
It was very awkward from the beginning due to poor communication with the owner of the trailer rental place. Since it's off season they have limited hours and are hard to get a hold of over the phone. We didn't know for sure we were going until the morning of our trip. I had gotten out a bunch of camping stuff, in the event the trailer wasn't big enough for all four of us. Also I got out some cooking stuff, but in true form, I didn't lay everything out as to what I actually needed and was going to use. That will come back to bite me in the but at some point in the story.
I picked it up, brought it home, threw everything in it, the kids in the car and we were off. Our first stop is Hickory Run SP in Pennsylvania. We got there in the dark, searched for the entrance (which was passed twice) and picked a spot. Enjoyed a nice fire, some good dinner and the kids watched the movies we brought in the warmth of the trailer.
We took three dogs, another no no for those wondering. I can only trust one of them off leash, the other two would go explore in a second if given the chance, that point was proven on an early, cold, Sunday morning. The dogs mostly stayed in the car, while the puppy camped in the trailer with us. She's small and doesn't take up much space, not to mention she'd not be happy to be away from us and would probably cry most of the night.
It turned out that condensation was also an issue in the trailer, never opened the vent until the morning on night one. Even with the vent opened on night two it didn't do much better. We took turns being comfortable. Night number one the kids slept up against me and therefor my wife was on the more comfy side. Night number two the kids slept up against her and I was more comfortable. I honestly think that it wasn't really a king size bed, we fit with four kids in a queen the same way that we fit in the "king" size trailer. However, it was pretty comfortable all things considered. I had planned to sleep in the tent, while my wife and the kids slept in the trailer (even brought all the crap), but never did it and wish I had. It'd be perfect for two people, which, ironically, is what it was designed for.
My favorite part of it was the kitchen area with the fridge. Although there was limited storage and if I ever built one, I'd build it differently, it certainly was nice to have a countertop, stove and a fridge to prepare stuff. I didn't need to lug along a two-burner camp stove and small propane bottles, everything was already there and attached. We only prepared hot water, eggs and sausage but it was very nice to have. I can image that in warmer months when hooked to a full service electric and water, it would be a complete pleasure to have the luxury of a microwave, sink and a/c.
I honestly don't know if I'd do it again. The kids loved it but they mainly loved it for the novelty and the fact that it had a TV. I'm glad I tried it and if it was just my wife and I, with the chance of raining (and funds allowed) I think we might contemplate it again. For now, I'll stick with my 6 person tent. The best parts of the trailer turned out to be the kitchen and the ability to throw everything we didn't want in the car in the trailer and be on our way. I loved the night lighting around the kitchen and the trailer, makes for a very nice evening when wanting to have some comforts without a headlamp.
Annual Neighborhood Camping Trip... and turning 40
What a scary thought it is to leave one decade and move into another. It's only fun when you're 9 or 19. I'm officially 40 this year and it's scary to think about. I know, 40 is the new 30, but I liked my 30's for the most part and loved my 20's... Nothing I can do about it and I'm going to have to change my attitude cause it's here and the number is only going to go up.
For my 40th birthday weekend my family participated in the annual neighborhood camping trip. Most of the group aren't campers, and we're only in a local campground, but the kids have the time of their lives and us parents, well, for the most part we get to to relax a good deal and enjoy ourselves as well.
We set up at the Little Red Barn Campground in Quakertown, PA. A nice, family run campground that is very clean and organized. Everything went off without a hitch with the exception of my MIL's dog got off his leash, which led to some serious bushwhacking through the local woods to find him.
The kids all played so well and they were beat by the day's end each day. We received the remainder of Tropical Storm Cindy on our first night and never received a drop of rain in my tent, the Eureka Silver Canyon 6. I have since learned they discontinued that tent, not sure why, but it's worked flawlessly for our family so far.
My wife and oldest daughter planned a special event with the rest of the neighborhood that was there to surprise me for my birthday. They got me to go away then surprised me with a banner and cake when I returned. It was very nice. I'm not one for surprises but it was a good one.
After the overnight Friday rain we received from the storm, we arose to a beautiful June summer day. Blue skies abounded and everything was getting dried out.
I had a plan for the weekend and that was to relax. While attempting this I had my MIL's dog, Eno, hooked up on his collar. The second he knew I was asleep, that collar came off and he was gone. I summoned my wife and formed a search party. Off into the briers and thickets I went. In shorts and a t-shirt I dug my way through the woods and was always just a step behind the dog. Like he was just playing with me. Eventually he came out to my wife, thank god, got him hooked back up and in the crate. The afternoon went on.
We had a nice dinner and a wonderful campfire with s'mores and sparklers. The kids did crafts and played games. Everyone was beat and headed to bed early.
Sunday the festivities continued with playing in the pool and then packing up. The weather was perfect and it was hard to leave.
For my 40th birthday weekend my family participated in the annual neighborhood camping trip. Most of the group aren't campers, and we're only in a local campground, but the kids have the time of their lives and us parents, well, for the most part we get to to relax a good deal and enjoy ourselves as well.
We set up at the Little Red Barn Campground in Quakertown, PA. A nice, family run campground that is very clean and organized. Everything went off without a hitch with the exception of my MIL's dog got off his leash, which led to some serious bushwhacking through the local woods to find him.
The kids all played so well and they were beat by the day's end each day. We received the remainder of Tropical Storm Cindy on our first night and never received a drop of rain in my tent, the Eureka Silver Canyon 6. I have since learned they discontinued that tent, not sure why, but it's worked flawlessly for our family so far.
My wife and oldest daughter planned a special event with the rest of the neighborhood that was there to surprise me for my birthday. They got me to go away then surprised me with a banner and cake when I returned. It was very nice. I'm not one for surprises but it was a good one.
After the overnight Friday rain we received from the storm, we arose to a beautiful June summer day. Blue skies abounded and everything was getting dried out.
I had a plan for the weekend and that was to relax. While attempting this I had my MIL's dog, Eno, hooked up on his collar. The second he knew I was asleep, that collar came off and he was gone. I summoned my wife and formed a search party. Off into the briers and thickets I went. In shorts and a t-shirt I dug my way through the woods and was always just a step behind the dog. Like he was just playing with me. Eventually he came out to my wife, thank god, got him hooked back up and in the crate. The afternoon went on.
We had a nice dinner and a wonderful campfire with s'mores and sparklers. The kids did crafts and played games. Everyone was beat and headed to bed early.
Sunday the festivities continued with playing in the pool and then packing up. The weather was perfect and it was hard to leave.
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