Planning and Dreaming
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
Canada
March 26, 2016 7:51am CST
I am so sick of winter, cold, ice and snow I am dreaming of summer.
Some of you will remember me as CampInsanity from that other site.
My sister Elaine and i started camping with our children back in 1980's because our father kicked us out of the house for a sleepover at the campground we camped as children. We have been forever grateful he pushed us. We camp on a rocky river in the Adirondacks of New York State.
It became a tradition, just us two women and a bunch of children. We have only missed two summers since then. One because of a house chimney fire, and one year I couldn't get away so we met for a short camp in the Alleghenies which was closer to my home.
Our children have grown and gone to college. they have careers now and they still join us when they can. I have grand-dogs that come with my children and Elaine has grand children visit us when they can in the Adirondack Mountains
Elaine has made the reservations for July, Soon we will be planning meals and doing a head count to see who will visit and who won't be able too.
We have a new kitchen tent, we have all the tools we need, now we just need to have summer so we can sleep in a tent without freezing.
Have you camped as children? Are you camping as adults? It's an amazing feeling living outdoors and loving the quiet with no cell phone, no TV, and no radio. The quiet, the family, the wilderness and the laughter is good for the soul.
The photos are from our camping experiences.
23 people like this
23 responses
@Marilynda1225 (80091)
• United States
26 Mar 16
I've always enjoyed your camping post (from the other site) and looking forward to hearing more about your adventures with your sister/family. Your pictures do make camping look enticing
3 people like this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
26 Mar 16
They show you just how comfortable we are in the woods. we have camped all our lives with a few years missing during collage and those first years of marriage... I 'm glad you enjoy the stories.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
26 Mar 16
I'm wondering if you enjoyed it or not. Some don't like to do it, but I love it.
@rebelann (111407)
• El Paso, Texas
31 Mar 16
I love the way you put those pictures together. I've never like camping but then in a desert it's not so easy to camp since we'd have to bring water with us and most of the time mom would under estimate how much we'd need. Luckily we were always close enough to home to drive back when we ran out of water.
Unfortunately I grew to dislike camping.
I have to wonder if I'd feel differently if mom had taken us to Ruidoso to camp, why she never did is beyond me. At least I get to read about your experiences which makes me think I would have enjoyed that kind of camping.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111407)
• El Paso, Texas
1 Apr 16
Lakes and rivers have to be fun when camping @PainsOnSlate maybe I'd enjoy that.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
1 Apr 16
@rebelann 'm sure you would enjoy the experience.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
31 Mar 16
I never camped in Kansas because it was too hot. In upstate NY its cool and fun, even the hot days are fun because of the river.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Mar 16
We didn't camp as children but we did camp with our children. We used tents at first and then bought a camper, it was some of our best times.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Mar 16
@PainsOnSlate Ours was a fiberglass popup and we loved it. Our first big tent was canvas but then we went to smaller tents and gave the kids their own.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
29 Mar 16
@BelleStarr Once past the baby stage our kids had their own tents too. We looked like a tent city for a few years...
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 Mar 16
We are still in a tent but a modern new tent that we love. It has two rooms, one for our two cots and the other we use a a change room... LLBean made it. We started out in Canvas that was a hellishly heavy to get up but the new ones are wonderful. We might need a camper as we get old and senile...
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
26 Mar 16
oh how i wish i could join y'all! camped quite a bit growin' up, but 'tis been some years now since such's occurred. i'd love to wander back into the mountains though 'n find me'n abandoned cabin with a creek/'r river close by.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
28 Mar 16
@PainsOnSlate kinda messes schtuff up when ya go'n purchase a place, don't it? takes 'way from the whole 'xperience 'nless yer lucky 'nough to find'n ol' log cabin without modern conveniences :D
how wonderful that'cha were able to do that fer yer friend. i've no care where my ashes're spread i fear. told the hubs 'n young'uns jest to roll down the window 'n set me free 'cross these prairies.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
29 Mar 16
@crazyhorseladycx I love the idea of the praries but we don't have any. The state lands can never be changed so I know it will forever be wilderness. Well not wilderness but a campground....
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 Mar 16
We thought of buying a place up there but we really love to sleep in a tent. I think we will be camping there forever. My ashes are going to be spread there after I'm gone. I helped a good friend's son spread her ashes around the campground just a few years ago. i still see her in my dreams while camping there...
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
28 Mar 16
When I was young I was in girl scouts so I camped. We also camped as a family, we even camped all the way to Alaska one year. It was quite a trip. Of all my 4 siblings I am now the only one who still camps. It's something I won't give up until I can no longer do it physically. It is hard work at times.Nothing better than hot coffee and the fish jumping in the lake and the birds singing in the morning.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 Mar 16
I look forward to it, All the way to Alaska sounds like a great memory and must have been tiring to put up abd take down a tent every day. But worth it in the long run!
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 Mar 16
@fishtiger58 I never realized it was a gravel road. You must have been gluttons for punishment...or young and adventitious!!!
1 person likes this
@fishtiger58 (29823)
• Momence, Illinois
28 Mar 16
@PainsOnSlate We actually had a pop up camper, but there were problems with that as well. Back in 1974 when we went to Alaska the AlCan highway was 1500 miles of gravel road. We broke an axel on the camper and had to layover to get it fixed.
1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14916)
• Malaysia
28 Mar 16
I always wished to go camping, but I have not gone to any. My parents didn't allow me to go for camping when I was in school, they think I was too young and it's too dangerous. I am glad your father pushed you for the sleepover, I am sure it was a great experience.
It sounds really fun to have such tradition. Looking at your pictures make me feel like going to camp as well. 
1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14916)
• Malaysia
4 Apr 16
@PainsOnSlate Yes, I think it's a really good activity. Moreover, it's so nice to get near to the nature.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 Mar 16
@kaka while growing up it was an inexpensive vacation. Once you hav the tools you need, they are used over and over. My parents camped before we were born, I'm glad he pushed us too. We love it.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
26 Mar 16
I had never camped as a child but I did camp when I was older first in a tent with a friend and then in a travel trialer and I loved camping either in a tent or the trailer. We always were close to water so that made it more enjoyable for the dog.
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
26 Mar 16
@PainsOnSlate
I at the time had a lab and you know they absolutely love the water. He would go out by the shore look back and then proceed to go into the water. He was so cute about it.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
26 Mar 16
We are always right next to the water too, the River is a shallow rocky mountain river that is great entertainment and good to cool our soul.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130292)
• India
27 Mar 16
None of that in our lifestyle this part of the world. We did have camp fires though at picnics - atleast one picnic when our Department spent a night out - great memories. There was fun making tea and coffee running around in the jungle close by for firewood (lol)
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130292)
• India
28 Mar 16
@PainsOnSlate Sleeping we did in a house that was lent to us for the time we were there.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 Mar 16
Just the word Jungle gives me a creep feeling...snakes and bugs and alligators.. Campfires are delightful, and we have forests and lakes and rivers to camp by...Were you in tents or just sleeping under the sky?
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
26 Mar 16
So nice all your camping stuff Paints.
Everytime I see your posts, I love the photos..soothes me.
Yes my Father too us camping..he was a great camper.
My Mother went but sure did not like it.
I also camped with the girls home I was in in my teens in the N of England Lake District.
It is something I love.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70035)
• United States
28 Mar 16
@PainsOnSlate I am glad you can Paints.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 Mar 16
it is good for the soul isn't it? I look forward to it every summer.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64361)
• United Kingdom
1 Apr 16
@PainsOnSlate Yes, do write about it - it would be interesting.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
1 Apr 16
It is a science. All I have here at my house is our spare tent, some folding chairs, our bubble sticks, my board games, and I make the fire starters. I usually have two bags packed, one for camping and one for "in case" of bad weather camping and I pack a small tote for toiletries, meds, and small necessaries. The big packing is done at Elaine's house. I think I will write about it....
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
27 Mar 16
Yes, you will be coming back to winter very soon...I am so tired of cold.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
6 Apr 16
We are forever glad he did that. We were there to take care of mom and give dad a break so we felt guilty for going but it was the beginning of something big.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
26 Mar 16
Our little kids loved it and playing in the shallow river is always entertainment. When they were older they could ride the river on an inner tube to the end of the campground.
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37346)
• Philippines
27 Mar 16
@PainsOnSlate fun for both adults and kids :D
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23675)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
26 Mar 16
Never camped out--I am a room service hotel sort of guy! :O)
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 Mar 16
You sound like my Husband. Ever wonder why i never mention him when I talk about camping? He and my sister's husband would never sleep in a tent. And if we forced them, they would be whiny babies...
@TheHorse (207471)
• Walnut Creek, California
27 Mar 16
I've done some camping and always enjoy it. I like the fact that it's a family tradition for you, and that even the grand-dogs are involved. My parents took me to Glacier National Park as a child, and I still go there now when I want to get away.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
27 Mar 16
Our favorite place is a state park in the Adirondacks. Its perfect for us, enough space, enough privacy but not wilderness...We still love every minute.
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
27 Mar 16
As a child we never camped as a family, but I was a Camp Fire Girl and we had camp outs and I also went to a three week camp twice. (sleeping on cots, but it was outdoors! ) But my husband and I took our kids camping and I always loved it. I would go again if I had the chance.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 Mar 16
Nice story...I missed out on girl scouts. My mother was a 4H leader and took her girls camping. I was gone by then...sadly. But we camped as a family all my growing up years. I just love it and feel blessed to have a sister that loves it too...Our husbands will not sleep in a tent...so we leave them home.
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 Mar 16
We love it in summer, It is so much fun and relaxing to live in the wilderness, except the year they closed the dumps in new York State and we had bears in our camp every night looking for food...but our food was safe in the trunk of the cars.
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
28 Mar 16
Its too cold to camp in the winter so we do it in the summer. Winter is interesting so i hope you get to experience it some day.
1 person likes this
