Our first family
camping trip was at the same
time dull and worthwhile.
Last weekend we dragged our nature-indifferent boys on their first camping trip to Chatfield Reservoir. Going camping there was basically like camping in the suburbs. It really is suited more for RV's than tents. Each site has full electrical hookup plus water. It wasn't exactly the full nature experience I would have preferred, but I figured we should introduce wilderness to our sons slowly. Going one night without a TV and sleeping in a tent would expose them to enough nature without putting them in shock.
In order to determine whether we'd go camping again, I have come up with a list of pros and cons of the experience.
Pro: Having running water at our site, plus a toilet and sink within easy walking distance.
Con: Paying $37/per night for this convienence.
Pro: Having a picnic lunch in the shade of the site's sole pine tree.
Con: Baking in the 95 degree heat. What grass that was left on our site was painful to walk on.
Pro: Going to the reservoir's beach to swim. I loved watching Ethan run so fast through the shallow water that he looked like he was hydroplaning. James had a marvelous time scooping up sand into little hills.
Con: Trying not to step on the numerous piles of goose poop all over the beach. I almost fainted when James came close to scooping a pile up with his shovel.
Pro: Eating a smore for the first time in God knows how long.
Con: Dealing with Ethan's impatience at how long it takes to cook dinner over a fire.
Pro: Having nothing better to do but sip a beer and watch the sun set.
The pro's edged out the con's by one. It's safe to say we'll give camping a shot again ... next summer.
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6 comments:
I've found most "vacations" since becoming a mom have been similar...the good outweighing the bad, but only by a little bit! :)
I love camping. Even if it didn't seem 100% perfect, these are the kinds of summer vacations your kids will probably remember fondly.
$37 for a camping spot???? I live about 5 miles down the road from Chatfield. Next time you can camp in my back yard and I'll turn the hose on for you....
You must check out Pawnee Campground (Brainard Lake) It's close and just gorgeous. Also, it's $16 bucks a night, no electricity, but water and toilets!
We used to take our kids to Jellystone park jus toutside of Estes Park. Yogi came to visit our sitet once...it made the whole trip worthwhile. ang
sometimes...a (rather) clean toilet is completely worth the money.
(and you could still plug in your cell phone...)
not like camping in the good ol' days!
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