Our
first actual in a tent, on the ground camping trip went very well. We went with
a group of friends, 7 of us in total, and shared two campsites next to each
other so we could spread out. We were very lucky to get some of the better
spaces – we left at 5:20 am and made the 6:20 ferry to hit the campground just
after 10 am Friday morning. There were cars just behind us looking at the
spaces we found as I was running to drop things in one space and confirm with
the people packing up in the other that they were leaving and we could register
that spot too. The whole campground was full by early afternoon.
K
did really well with camping, even as a new walker on uneven ground and with
some confinement (pack and play some of the time in camp, difficulty getting
around on the rocky beach, and lots of car seat time for travel). She seemed to
really enjoy the constant low level of stimulus of having friends around and
being outside all day rather than our usual up and down as we go between time
at home and activities that are fun but draining like gym and the zoo. She
actually slept better in the tent than she usually does at home, I think because
she was exhausted but without getting overstimulated and cranky.
The highlight
for her was definitely playing in the sand – she was absolutely delighted with
grabbing handfuls, crawling, walking and being buried up to her chest in it. I
hope she continues to enjoy it this much each year to come.
It was special to share these places that I grew up in with her for the first time: the campground, the spot we stayed in, even the exact place we pitched out tent, was one we had before when I was a kid. We went to second beach the second day as we did every year when I was little. The pitchfork tree has an arm down now from a recent storm, but still stands as notably as ever. On the way back, there is a tree just a bit up from the beach with a tall network of mossy roots that has held stones, shells, feathers, treasures for as long as I’ve visited and I’m sure long before and long after I ever come by. These days are good days.
It was special to share these places that I grew up in with her for the first time: the campground, the spot we stayed in, even the exact place we pitched out tent, was one we had before when I was a kid. We went to second beach the second day as we did every year when I was little. The pitchfork tree has an arm down now from a recent storm, but still stands as notably as ever. On the way back, there is a tree just a bit up from the beach with a tall network of mossy roots that has held stones, shells, feathers, treasures for as long as I’ve visited and I’m sure long before and long after I ever come by. These days are good days.
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