Mr. Handsome wrote a post about the family campout we took in September…
I have been trying to come up with words to adequately describe our first camping trip with Little Buddy. You could say it was a “smashing” success, if by “smashing” you mean that the air mattress deflated and we were smashed down on the hard, rocky ground for the night. It was certainly not a “full- blown” success.
It was a “rousing” success if you mean we were “roused and awakened” every hour or so by the crying of Little Buddy, who was not used to sleeping in a tent. You could say it was a “big hit” if you are describing what my wife wanted to do to me when she realized I had forgotten my pillow and had decided to use hers.
Perhaps a better way to describe it would be a “brilliant success,” if you are quoting my wife, who asked in the middle of a sleepless night “whose brilliant idea it was to try to go camping with an eight-month-old-baby.” It was an “extraordinary” success if you are describing how extraordinarily difficult it was to start the campfire using the soggy wet wood we had brought from home.
I suppose we all had a “big” time if you are describing the size of the mosquitoes that chose to reside in our humble tent after we accidentally left the tent flap open. I’ll take the blame for that one.
It was a “runaway success” when our campmates’ pet dog escaped into the woods and we spent an hour pursuing the young rascal. It was an “unqualified” success if you are describing how the most unqualified individual (yours truly) tried to cook breakfast and burned all the bacon.
“Overwhelming” success is a good word to use if you are describing the feeling we felt while trying to pack up the huge mess of a campsite–after enjoying our meal of burnt bacon. You could say it was an “astonishing” success if you are describing the look on Ellie’s face when, after we got home and unpacked, I said, “That was a lot of fun. We should do it again next weekend.”
Never could understand why people who have perfectly good homes want to go live in the woods like homeless people. Nature’s nice to visit by day but there’s a reason houses and hotels exist. If you absolutely can’t resist sleeping in a tent, set it up in your back yard and have at it there.
I know, when you really think about it, it’s kind of bizarre. I suppose it forces to take a break from the busyness of life and appreciate a slower pace and the beauty of nature. We were joking on our campout that it would be ironic to try to explain camping to one of the early settlers. I’m sure they wouldn’t understand why folks with perfectly good houses and amenities would leave all that voluntarily to go out into the woods and sleep in a tent, with a bunch of supplies in tow that they purchased solely for the one-night “adventure.” LOL
Ellie
It’s really funny when you think about and the more I read about camping now the more the idea appeals to me. My family would be shocked because I always tell them that my idea of “camping” is staying in a cabin and having meals provided by the camp staff. LOL
I would definitely be up for that. As long as the food was good. Haha.
Early settlers did go camping! Surprising trivia fact: Two of the better known provincial parks in Ontario, Canada; Algonquin and another Killarney first “campers” were pioneers who went North from Toronto. I agree with the guess that during any time period, being among inspiring landscapes brings relaxation and retreat to refocus on the more important aspects of life. When I first learned about this, my reaction was the same – why would pioneers with no electricity, no running water, no indoor plumbing want to create even more work for themselves by going camping/being outdoors? But, then when magnificent landscapes are seen, it is calming and inspiring.
I’ve looked at plenty of magnificent landscapes but then went back to a real bed for the night. There’s no need to sleep on the ground on a deflated air mattress.
I enjoy the blogs written both by Ellie and Mr H. This is another blog that made me chuckle and remember similar camping trips in my past that my husband and I took when our children were small. Also camping trips as a child. They all invoke good memories, mishaps and all. You have to start somewhere sometime with the initial camping trip. Eileen
I am curious what message you are sending when my post and anon’s are the only 2 you do not respond to? Can you tell me what you would like me to take away from that? Thanks!. Eileen
Very sorry about that. No message at all. I did read your comment and enjoyed it, but sometimes when I sit down to answer comments, I don’t quite get through all of them before I get distracted by Little Buddy. Where were your favorite places to camp as a child?
Ellie
I was asking because I want to ensure that I am in now way posting inappropriately Ellie. This is your blog, I want to respect that. I think you do a fantastic job with 3 blogs, mandatory tv viewing to write recaps right away, while looking after a very young son. Thanks!
Nope, your comments are great, Eileen. 🙂 Thank you for your kind words. I’m blessed to have you as a reader.
Have a wonderful day,
Ellie
Obviously Little Buddy was not a trooper at camping. Perhaps when he is older he will enjoy camping.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
We hope he will grow to love it!
I don’t want to be rude but I would never take a kid that age camping. You don’t want the baby near the campfire either. Little Buddy is inhale second hand smoke. It’s not good for your lungs. My heart doctor told me that.
I wish they’d ban all outdoor burning and even wood-burning fireplaces and stoves. I have a horrible lung reaction to smoke and 6 months out of the year, it’s misery whenever a neighbor starts wood burning. No matter how tightly my house is closed up, that smell always finds its way inside. Some nights it’s so thick out there that you can’t even open the door to take out the trash. I end up wearing a mask in the house. I wish people who insist on building fires would be more aware of what it can do to others’ lungs when they have to inhale those secondhand products. 🙁
I’m sorry to hear that. Sounds perfectly miserable. 🙁
Ellie
Yes, here is California we have spare the air days when the quality is bad you are not allowed to use your fireplace, mow the lawn, stuff like that.
We took our babies camping shortly after they were born. We camped many years. You will have a lot of great memories and some challenging ones especially with the weather. Keep camping and enjoy.
Another camping pro! Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂 Did you travel to scenic places to camp, or just local campgrounds?
Ellie
This was so funny to read, you two! I’m not a camper at all but lately since we moved here to AZ the thought of camping sounds like fun.
Camping in AZ would be great in fall in spring, especially with the beautiful scenery. Not so great in the heat of summer, haha.
Ellie
Oh I agree. There are so many wonderful places here to camp here and enjoy the beauty of our Lord’s creation.
Well, it can only get better! You have probably learned a lot for next time.
That’s true. 🙂
Word to the wise; Never go camping with a child under two🤣
LOL! Does it get better after age two?
Ellie
Another camping pro! Thanks for the encouragement. 🙂 Did you travel to scenic places to camp, or just local campgrounds?
Ellie
Mr. Handsome’s post is hilarious, he is so funny!. We tent camp when we first got married. Than 5 1/2 yrs. later we took our 5 month old son camping in our 16 foot camper, that wasn’t so bad. We only went camping in Spring and Fall.
Thanks, I’ll tell him that! Do you still go camping?
Ellie
No we don’t. It was fun when we were younger. Now we go on cruises and stay in motels! Lol
Guess you’ve moved up in the world, LOL!
We also made the same mistake of taking our daughter camping when she was 11 months old. It was a disaster and she was a really good baby normally! She is our oldest of 4 kids and suffice to say, we haven’t been again yet! After that fiasco, I always said I wouldn’t go again until my youngest was 5 at least. Well, our youngest just turned 5 last week…I think they would actually enjoy it now. And maybe me too😉 Guess we better dig that tent out!
LOL! Camping with 4 would be a big feat, but I think you’re right that your kids would likely really enjoy it at this age. Let us know if you end up going.
Ellie
Brilliant post Mr. H! Ellie, that was very brave of you to give camping with a baby a try!
Thank you!
We took our children camping as infants. It was different in our situation. We were 28 years old when we married. We bought a used 24 foot 5th wheel camper without any slide outs before we had children. My husband’s parents had a motor home, and my husband always wanted a fifth wheel. When our daughter was an infant we lost the table because it was dropped and turned into a play pen/crib for her with plywood cut for the side to enclose it. Then when our son was born, our daughter slept on the pull out sofa and our son was in the play pen/table. Our second fifth wheel had bunk beds. my husband built a ladder for our daughter to get to top bunk. I am sure it will go better for you on future camping trips.
Sounds like you are camping experts. Fifth wheels/RVs are so cozy. We went camping with Mr. H’s extended family a few years ago. Most of us stayed in cabins, but we all piled into the camper to watch a movie.
Ellie
My parents never camped but it was an important tradition for my husband’s family. I have grown to love it. When we talked about camping/buying an RV as a married couple, I asked that we have a bathroom in it. It is so much easier. We have now been married for 27 years and we’re on our fourth fifth wheel. In our early years of marriage when our children were young, we pulled it for vacations to South Dakota, Yellowstone National Park, Colorado, and Florida. We no longer have bunk beds because our children are now young adults. Our current 5th wheel has two recliners, which we really like.
Sounds lovely! I agree, a bathroom would make it MUCH easier. Haven’t been to Colorado, but South Dakota and Yellowstone are beautiful.
Ellie
We are big backcountry campers. It’s made me into a bit of a camping snob if I’m being honest. Camping is about connecting with nature. I cannot car camp at a busy site with many other tents a few feet away in earshot, listening to their noise at all hours. Zero privacy. That I cannot understand!
It’s portaging or bust for me. And we won’t take the kids til the youngest is 4 years old or so.
I have a lot of respect for backcountry campers. It sounds very challenging, especially in the mountains with snow and ice. Where are your favorite places to go?
Ellie
This post makes me chuckle. Growing up, my family went camping literally every summer and sometimes more than once. We didn’t use a camper, we tented it, and some of my earliest fondest memories are from camping (my mom says I learned to walk at a camp site at 14 months old!) we’ve continued the tradition in our families. My niece was a baby the first time we went camping, and was around 11 months the second time. She loved it, and she still loves it. Camping is for some and not for others, but I know when my husband and I have children, we are definitely bringing them camping!
Sounds like you have some wonderful camping memories. My family never went camping when I was a child, but looking back, I kind of wish that we would have.
Ellie
Another lol!
Brilliantly hilarious post 😂
Thanks, Ellyn. I’ll tell him.
Loved the post, Mr H! We LOVE camping! Ellie, I felt for you to have to go through that all but proud of you at the same time to be brave to try it out! I grew up camping so it’s been a favorite tradition of ours to show our children how to camp. Our firstborn went on her first camping trip at 41/2-5 months old. We had a wedding anniversary that long after she was born so we were like ya, let’s just do this for our anniversary as I was pining for the mtns. She was a little trooper and hardly made a peep the whole time we were there! Slept through the night. She only fussed a little because I always had to bundle her up some as it was cool and chilly in the mornings and evenings and she did not like being smothered. But otherwise watched everything with awe. She was probably young enough tho to get through camping without much fuss. Buddy was at a age where he was more aware of his surroundings and what was going on. Anyway, keep practicing camping with your children and they’ll get used to it with time and you’ll keep having it easier and easier with each time you go. It’s a wonderful family memory to give the children and you’ll never regret camping with them and teaching them about nature and how to live when the electricity goes off-ha! And just spending that family time together will be priceless for the children after they’ve grown up and gone. And hopefully they’ll keep the tradition going with their families! (And take grandpas along of course even if they stay in a cabin! 😊-that’s my BEST memories as a child when grandpa and grandma came along! So fun! They first tented with us, their own tent, then as they got older went to a nearby cabin) Its the best family vacation! And now my children are at an age where they help us pack, put up the tent, take down the campsite, and put away when we get home. So much easier for me and hubs. But it took practice and teaching them! Keep on being brave, Ellie and Mr H! You’re doing a great thing there!
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words, Candi. How often do you and the hubby and kiddos go camping? That’s wonderful that they help you prepare and clean up! That’s a dream of mine, to teach my children to enjoy helping out.
Ellie
Oh we liked to go every summer. Even tho the kids help out, I’m getting to the point where I’d like to experience a camper. I could get the best of both worlds at the same time then-ha. My own shower, toilet, a real bed🤩 and the outdoors…
I think a camper would be lovely. Our tent was spacious, but it would have been great to have a bathroom. LOL
Ellie
Just curious, do you celebrate Halloween?
I wouldn’t say that we celebrate it, but we aren’t opposed to doing fun things as a family. Growing up, my brother and I went trick-or-treating. Mr. Handsome’s family did not. Little Buddy is too young for that, and we haven’t decided what we will do when he’s older.
Ellie
This post was so cute! Don’t give up on camping with littles! I’ve been camping my whole life as my parents took me camping when I was only a month old (which, I’ll admit, is bonkers). Last summer, we drove our then 2 year old and 3 month old from Minnesota to camp with family in the mountains in Colorado. (We cleared the altitude change with our pediatrician before we went.) Definitely challenging but so much fun! Kids learn so much from exploring nature. And even though we’re old pros, I somehow STILL burn bacon on the camp stove so don’t feel bad, Mr H!
I’m impressed–a long car ride AND camping. If you have any tips on keeping little kids busy on car rides, feel free to share. 🙂
Ellie
Just as a gentle suggestion — try to have babies with as little ‘stuff’ as possible. There is really no need for a pack n play, a soother, a high chair, a white noise maker, a swing, a stroller etc. I have successfully taken my child camping and on many holidays (by myself!) since three months old because the vacation is not much different from home. Ask a woman in her 80s or 90s what ‘stuff’ she had for her children and you will see how babies were just fine with very little. They only want to be held and to be loved.
That’s very impressive that you took your child on holidays by yourself. Sure would be rough without a soother/pacifier though. I do tend to agree that some of the baby stuff on the market is overkill, although it sure does make life a lot easier. 🙂
Ellie