The Dean's: OFF TO CAMP

Mike has been hinting for years that he wished we would go camping - he grew up camping, with a camper, all the accessories, and a whole family that is very well experienced with the trade. I, however, have had one camping adventure and it left me "traumatized" for life. I was little - maybe 4-5-6-7 years old, just old enough to remember faint details. I remember it was with my parents and some of their friends - with tents and what I think was a truck bed type camper. My dad made me go fishing that day (ew, gross, and wanted me to touch a fish), and then the kicker - it rained and stormed that night. We just weren't camping people, the opportunity to camp just never came up again (at least, not that I know of). So, I was convinced, I do not like camping. I do not sleep outside. I do not sleep on the ground. I do not want random critters to crawl on me in my sleep (or when I am awake for that matter). I do not pee in the woods. I do not do well with no air conditioning.

WELL.....(can you guess where this is going?).....our friends, the Klinge's, are campers. They enjoy the primitive tent camping and have done it for years. It was a really cool idea to get together with the kids to have a family camping adventure. Ok....I can do this. It's for the kids. It's for 2 days. I can do this - and my contingency plan? Sleep in the back of our SUV and let the kids fend for themselves. I begged Mike to camp in our backyard first just to be sure I wasn't going to have a meltdown. He refused - gasp, what would the neighbors say?!?! (insert the 'wife eye roll' here). We met the Klinge's at a campground in Hillsdale, IL - perfectly half way for each of us. We borrowed all of my sister & brother-in-law's camping stuff, including a tent and air mattress. Ok, air mattress, that's technically not sleeping on the ground. Yep, I can do this. The campground name has the word 'resort' in it's title - YES, this is a fancy campground - there are toilets and showers! Even better, there was a mini golf course, playground, paddle boats, canoes, and swimming pool. You can check out the goods here....http://www.sunsetlakesresort.com/amentities/.

We spent 2 days and 2 nights camping and had a blast. It was good weather - cool at night, a bit hot during the day (we went before the huge heat wave hit this summer). We took advantage of all the amenities the resort offered - we spent a refreshing afternoon at the nicest outdoor pool I have ever been to (just a pool, not an aquatic center). And tested our boat safety with the paddle boats (success) and the canoes (fail). Curious about the fail on canoes? Before they could even begin rowing, the 4 boys toppled into the water (the moms watching from the dock). The little boys thought it was fun and wanted to go again (they had their life jackets on), the big boys did not have so much fun in that disgusting, murky, there-is-a-reason-they-don't-let-people-swim-in-that-lake water. Other than that excitement, we enjoyed our lake view, campfire food, games, and relaxing in good company.

In the end, I am convinced...I like camping. I like non-primitive camping, with no rain, no critters, modern facilities, air mattresses, and these cute little boys making great, non-traumatizing memories. Well, except for the canoe...