Saturday, June 22, 2013

Family Traditions Continued

My dad and I used to go camping alot.  Invariably it would always rain and we would have to completely change our plans.  It turned into a running joke over the years it happened so often.

One of the first times was a trip planned to Iowa.  We were going to go to an aircraft museum and then a model train museum along w/ a couple of other misc. stops.  When we got to the campground, it was considerably more expensive than listed in the travel guide w/ fewer amenities. No biggie. We had a camper. When we opened it up, however, we discovered we had forgotten the toilet.  And the door. So, since it started raining, we rigged up a couple of trash bags and tie down straps and played poker most of the night.

The next day we went to the air museum. 90% of which turned out to be outside.  Not happening. Next stop, the train museum.  It was closed for the season. Alright. We're done. Time to head home.  On the way, we stopped at a Walmart and bought a couple of ball caps.  I still have them somewhere.

The last trip we went on, we decided to head down to North Carolina to tour some mines.  Then the weather hit.  Since it was early in the year, not only rain but a handy amount of sleet as well. No chance of making it up the roads to the mine.  We had some relatives in SC so gave them a call, drove for a few more hours and spent some time w/ them.  On the way back, we stopped at one of the many Lincoln sites in the US. This one was the birthplace in Kentucky.  The museum was nice, the 'offsite' gift shop reeked of cat pee.

Well the tradition continues. Today Fourthpower Alpha and I went on his first cub scout campout.  Hot out but only a low chance of showers in the evening.  Well, that low chance of showers turned into a 100% chance of thunderstorms lasting into the night about 2 hrs after we got there and set up. The deluge hit, turning the campsite into a marsh, exceeding the limits of our (admittedly cheap) tent, and soaking our sleeping bags.






So they did some improv. scouting stuff (rope tying) since all the outside activities they had planned had to be cancelled then people started packing it in.  We stopped at a McDonalds for some supper and headed home. 

 Even though it was short, we had a good time. Can't help but to laugh.


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3 comments:

Hat Trick said...

So to break the next drought we just need to send you camping. :-)

Anonymous said...

The first time I ever went camping with the scouts, it rained and flooded out most of the event(weekend District camporee)We stayed the whole time even with wet sleeping bags (old wall tents = no floors) Ever since I do not consider it a true campout unless there is some rain involved. Hope you and yours keeps it up.

Billll said...

Your very own portable Camp Grenada.

Next time come camping in Colorado. The rain will help put the fires out.