Camping and Nightmares

We went camping right before the kids went back to school.  It was one of our typical, impromptu-type getaways.  We threw some supplies in the van and headed for cooler weather.  We looked at some beautiful vistas, saw cacti, canyons, desert flora and Miss B even found a rattle snake (and then we walked quickly away). 

 Later that evening, we found a nice camp spot, set up our tent, gathered firewood, started a fire and had chili and hot chocolate for dinner.  We left the rain fly off of the tent as it was a beautiful, clear night with a full moon.  Our tent has a very open top and we decided sleeping under the stars (with some mesh to keep the bugs off) sounded like a fine adventure.  We settled into our various sleeping bags, air mattresses etc. and went to sleep. Or some of us did.  I was up for hours.  Apparently sleeping under the stars wasn't as dreamy as I'd expected it to be.  The full moon glared into my eyeballs.  I thought we were going to get attacked by bears or assassins out for our livers. I started at every sound.  I thought of every possible scenario that could happen to our lone family out in the middle of nowhere.  I finally drifted off to sleep and had several disturbing dreams including a tree falling on us and a little boy, lost and wandering in the forest and crying pitifully.  Needless to say, it was a long night.  I think I drifted off sometime during the early morning and again dreamed...this time of tiny electric shocks all over my face.  Rumbling through that deep haze of dreaming, I realized it was rain.  And there was no rain fly.  After some debate, we decided it was light rain and it was already ending.  We all went back to sleep, slightly damp.  A bit later it started up again.  And with a vengeance.  Dear ol' Dad saved the day and ran out to brave the elements and provide us with a rain fly.  By that time we were all quite soggy.  But the sun eventually came out and dried everything nicely.

For breakfast we had OJ, blueberry pancakes and sausage.  And.  AND.  I got to bust out the mess kits we gave the kids for Christmas.  So exciting.  I have been waiting anxiously for a chance to use them.  I do so love mess kits.  They are so fun.

We had a nice nature walk after breakfast and then broke camp and drove home.

So other than the hideous and very long night when I realized I am one of those paranoid mothers with an overactive imagination, it was a very nice adventure.