Camping Rocks!!

I am sure if you know me, you are very confused by the title of this blogpost.  I have never been camping.  I never really thought I would ever camp.  I have never had a desire to camp.  It just doesn't sound fun to me.  Even though I wouldn't call myself a "girly girl,"  I don't like to rough it.  I want a bed, a toilet, electricity, you get the idea.  I also don't really like going outside in CO unless there is a pool involved.  I am just not a mountain person.    Many people over the years have tried to convince me to go camping to no avail.  I keep telling Rick that needs to be a thing he and the kids do.  They have fun, I get a break, it's a win-win situation.  

Early in June after hanging out with our friends, Daniel and Laurie, I agreed to do a version of camping that we will just call "glamping"(glamour camping).  We agreed that as couples we would do an overnight in Mueller park.  The reason we are calling it "glamping" is because we were going to use a travel trailer, eat out the first night, it would be less than 24 hours,  and there would be fun treats involved.  They were going to ease me in slowly to the camping experience.  The goal was to make me like it so much that I would want to branch out even more the next time.  

Wednesday, July 10 was the big day.  I arranged for Julie to come stay with the kids.  I got myself all ready to go in my jeans, long sleeves, and camping shoes.  I packed one small bag with mostly blankets and an extra set of clothes.  I was ready to go.  Leading up to the time, Laurie texted me and said, "If you want a shower, bring quarters."  My response, "No shower for me.  I am going to rough it."  I was ready to go!!  

Here we are right before we left

And then this happened

Hwy 24 leading to the area where we would camp had a mudslide after a flash flood that afternoon.  The road was closed.  Over 15 cars were stuck in the mud.  All those people were stranded until the mud and cars could be removed.  At this point it was 5:30.  We spoke to a police officer who told us that it would take at least 3 hours to reopen the road.  Not good.  

We decided to go grab a bite to eat and then check on the status of the situation to determine what we would do.  

 That is my kind of camping food!!

 About an hour later, it still seemed that the road would not open up any time soon.  By the time it was open, we knew we would have to fight our way through the traffic that was waiting to go through, and  still drive all the way to the campsite.  By then, it would be 10:00 at night.  Who knew if it would even happen that quickly.  They opened a shelter for those whose cars were stuck.  That meant it could be a really long time.   It just didn't seem like the camping trip we had envisioned with our friends.  So, what did we do, you might ask?  We checked into a hotel.  Hey, now, I have childcare already arranged.  Why would I go home?  Rick and I haven't had a night away together since last Sept.  We were way overdue.

Now, this is what I call "glamping!"

 We had a great time away.  We went to a movie.  We got to spend time together.  We slept in.  It was fabulous!!

The next morning we went here for breakfast

 My camping buddy

We did a little shopping and came home by mid afternoon.  It really was a much needed break for both of us.  I am thankful that we got the time away.  I would try the overnight camping thing again.  I was looking forward to our time with friends.  I am sad that we missed out on that.

  Camping isn't so bad after all.  I just might do it again!!