My parents both retired the same week. To celebrate, the parents and all four kids (along with families and significant others) went camping at Ponca State Park.
Mom and Dad were in their new RV, Mark and Chrissy and Co. stayed in cabins, and Rachel (+ family) and I stayed in tents, all in the same park. So a family camping trip doesn't have to been roughing it for everyone.
We all had a great time, despite the mosquitos, two tent failures, the torrential rain followed by flood warnings, and getting lost in the woods (silly trail map!).
Arwen and Maria (Mark's sweetie) had never been camping before.
Setting up the tent for what turned out to be the last time.
I had some help getting it put together:
My parent bought this 6-person tent when I was an infant, so
it’s almost 40 years old. I have a lot
of great memories connected with this tent.
Between the broken zipper, the ripped screen that
needed duct tape, and the puddle on the sleeping bag, it was time to let it go.
Rachel also shared the tent since the OTHER tent mishap was
the former Boy Scouts forgetting the poles for the tent where she was supposed
to sleep! Here we are admiring my duct
tape job on the door.
Naturally, I plan to upccycle some of the fabric. I had help with that, too. Here's my brother-in-law Micah and his utility tool:
I'm thinking about making a messenger bag:
Here are my favorite photos:
There is a reason why S'mores are a perennial favorite....
We remembered to get some family photos:
It was a wonderful weekend! Here's to many more adventures for Mom and Dad as they enjoy their richly deserved retirement!
So glad you & everyone had fun! I have to admit, seeing the old tent again was a bit nostalgic. "I remember the time I was so sunburned I was purple & the tent leaked &..." :D
ReplyDeleteI had a thought on the photo with Anna & Jack putting up (or helping with) the tent; it's the smallest tent they have put up in years- usually it's a giant Deer Camp tent. Now I suppose with their new RV they will be too good for that, too. Glad your whole family could come along to celebrate retirement!
ReplyDeleteThe RV-and-Cabin crowd turned out to be a blessing when the heavy rains/flood warnings came. The tenters were divided up amongst the other folks, and the grandkids ended up in the RV. So as much I as tend to think as any non-tent option as "camping" not camping, I was really glad to be nice and dry on the couch in the Walles's cabin!
DeleteBut, yes, I don't think Mom and Dad are ever going to sleep under canvas again....
Why are there no photos of kids with frogs?!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know any one had Close Encounters of the Frog Kind, but if you've got pics, please send them and I'll post them :)
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