Our grandson Connor actually prompted us to set this trip up. The idea was to see if Emily, age 9, would take to camping. My theory is that it's important that kids try different things when they are young. Otherwise, they may miss a lifetime of enjoyable activities because they never had the experience.
The overnight trip was set for Hueston Woods State Park near Oxford, OH, where Emily and her family live. That minimized travel and gave us a fall back location (going home!) if weather turned really bad or there was some other camping malfunction. Good idea. I have much of the camping gear and prior experience. So, I began packing and making lists. I asked the Wentzells to bring the food for them. My minimalist backpack menus would leave them hopelessy undernourished.
The big weekend approached. I drove to their home Oxford - about a 4 hour drive from Marietta. The late September weather was pleasant enough, but distinctly dark clouds loomed in the west as I approached. Emily had just finished a soccer game but was ready to roll. Connor decided not to go since he had more important activities with football buddies. We have become second rate participants in his teenage life.
Gregg dug through a pile of papers on their kitchen counter looking for the camping reservation. Amy finally printed us a new one. We threw their stuff in the van, and off we went. The local weather forecast assured us that there would only be only isolated passing showers, then clearing and cooler. Good. We wind our way through the park to the campsite.
The campsite is level and spacious. Other campers are settled in, mostly sitting well established campfires with full beer coolers. Emily is excited. It was about 1:30. Time to get the tents set up. Yes, those are light sprinkles of rain.
We sort through all the gear scattered about the van. Where is the.....I shockingly realize that I forgot to bring the two person tent that Emily and Gregg were to occupy. DANG - after all that planning!! Luckily I brought two single person tents, so we set those up. Emily and her Dad dutifully follow my instructions with the tent stakes, ground cover, tent set up, and rain covers. She inserted all of her stuff into the smallest of the tents. Gregg can have the other tent; I will sleep outside. The rain will be long gone by bed time....I hope.
Time to tour the park, get some firewood, and wait for the rain to stop. It is a steady rain now. We stop at the nature center. Emily studies the maps and stuffed animals. I soak up the history of the park depicted on a wall of old photos and press clippings. Planning had started in the 1930's - much earlier than I suspected.
Outside in an enclosure there are a mountain lion and bobcat. In a large loft we look at raptors, including a bald eagle and golden eagle. Impressive. It is raining harder. We drive around the rest of the park, peering through the rain for the miniature golf (closed) and horseback rides (darn-summer months only), and lodge(missed the turn - oh, well).
A while later, the rain has lessened. We park and hike the west side trail along the lake. There are some nice views. Emily handles the hiking well, including a few awkward climbs over downed trees. But after half an hour she announces that we should turn around when we get to the next open view. We do that.
We go back to the campsite after procuring firewood. Rain has stopped. Next project: start the campfire. Emily has been waiting for this. We coax some decent flames from the kindling and gingerly add in larger wood. The fire takes off the chill and makes us feel like real campers. A sudden shower surprises us; we sprint for the van.
Just then Amy and Catrina arrive in their van with real food - brats, beans, and such. The rain stops - for good. We enjoy the food, stoke the fire, dodge the smoke, and have fun being together.
Later, after dark, Amy and Catrina leave for home and warm beds. We survivors head to the RV campground for a halloween festival, including the scare trail. It is a series of trail stops where they try to scare the hell out of you. We sign up. Emily squirms as we wait, clearly anxious about what horrors lie ahead. She clutches her dad's hand and occasionally screams as we endure slamming doors, blood soaked murders, snarling dogs, and chain saw killers. Wow. It was really well done.
Back to camp for a campfire warm up and off to bed. Gregg decided to sleep in the van. I stayed in the other tent. Everyone slept well and stayed warm. Up at daylight. I managed to restart the fire. Emily emerged from her tent and helped me keep the fire going. After a hearty pop tart and oatmeal breakfast, we go home.
Driving home, I recount the activities. I was grateful for a successful outing, complete with the rainy part. Any outdoor outing will have to cope with the weather; better to learn adaptive behavior right from the start. I will remember this trip; I hope there are many more for Emily.
