OK, I guess I’m getting better at “mom-ming while camping” because instead of needing two weeks to recover from the trip, it only took two days, ha ha ha! Ya know, when I envisioned the “Summer of Camping” in my mind, I thought we’d be going, like, every week or every other week this summer, but now I’m thinking maybe once a month?
Don’t get me wrong — it’s fun! I love it. It’s just a lot of work. The trip we just took to Collins Lake was a ton of fun. The drive is a long one if you’re coming from the Bay Area (about two and a half hours), but once we got there, wow! Our campsite was right next to the lake, and the water was SUPER warm — like bath temperature warm! Whenever I wanted to cool off, all I had to do was hobble down a hill and over some rocks for a minute, and then I’d jump right in. It was glorious! And being the water baby that I am, I went swimming quite a few times, although you know what I realized? Lake swimming is no joke, dude. When you don’t have salt water to keep you afloat, you gotta work that much harder.
Ain’t no party like a West Coast party
One thing I learned on this trip is that the time you go to bed at night really depends on your neighbors and how close you are to them. The tent sites at Collins Lake are closer to each other than the sites at Clear Lake (where we camped last month), and this time around, instead of being surrounded by quiet couples and families, it seemed like all of our neighbors were partying like it was a West Coast party circa 1994. Everyone was pretty rowdy, and we heard it all night long.
The music, at least, was good! Someone nearby was playing DJ and blasting ’90s hip-hop jams into the wee hours. I would’ve totally appreciated Color Me Badd’s I Wanna Sex You Up, but instead of singing along as usually do, I kept thinking, “Oh, please, oh, please, don’t let Connor ask me what these lyrics are about.” LOL!
A portable fan is your friend
Another thing I learned on this trip? A portable fan is an absolute non-negotiable. I know, sounds so silly. Who needs to have a fan, of all things, while they’re camping? Well, apparently I do! El Hub bought me this one from a brand called Treva (it runs on D batteries, so you don’t have to plug it in), and it just made the trip so much more pleasant. I would turn it on whenever I was in the tent to circulate the air and keep things cooler, which was especially handy in the middle of the day when the tent was really hot, and at night when we were getting ready for bed. Sometimes I’d bring it outside and set it in front of me on the camp table so I’d have a breeze to cool me down (it was pretty hot) while I made food. It sounds so silly, but it was REALLY nice to have around. I don’t think I can go camping without it now.
A quick bedtime refresher is the key!
One last “next level up” thing I stumbled upon on this trip is what I like to call “a quick refresher” before bed. Here’s what I do: I set a washcloth or some paper towels near my sleeping bag, along with a water bottle. Then, before I go to sleep, I wet the wash cloth and quickly wipe down my face, neck, the crooks of my arms, the backs of my knees and my feet — basically, any areas that have gotten sweaty since my last shower/sponge bath.
I don’t know why, but I seem to sleep so much better when I do this! I also did the same for Connor and she seemed to like it.
Anywho, we’re hoping to go on one last camping trip in August, and if I figure out any more tips by then I’ll be sure to let you know!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. TGIF!!!
Rachel says
July 31st, 2020 at 11:16 amYaaas to the fan, Karen! I bought one when we were camping at a Blues music festival and the highs during the day were in the 90’s. Saved my life! And I like the white noise of a fan, drowns out the BF’s snoring a bit! That campsite looks beautiful! So nice to be close to the water! We are going to the lake this weekend and my boyfriend bought us a pop-up camper that sits on the back of a truck. It’s older but in good condition, I don’t think it was used much…I will be bringing my fan!
Karen says
July 31st, 2020 at 1:27 pmI honestly didn’t realize how much it leveled up camping! IT IS A MUST HAVE. The pop-up camper sounds interesting. Is it tall enough so that you can stand up back there, or is it primarily for sleeping?
Rachel says
July 31st, 2020 at 4:55 pmYes you can stand in it when it’s “popped up”. There’s a lofted queen bed that’s over the truck bed basically, and then there’s a couch that folds down to a bed and a table you can put up. There’s a tiny kitchen with a mini-fridge, stove, and sink. It’s kinda fun! We’ll see how we like it this weekend! Definite upgrade from a tent.
Christine says
July 31st, 2020 at 11:31 amOMG EL HUB SIGHTING
Jennifer says
July 31st, 2020 at 11:45 amPossibly, but we might be assuming that’s El Hub.
The coy wolf could have set up her fishing pole near a fellow camper!
Karen says
July 31st, 2020 at 1:25 pmYou know her too well. She would’ve totally done that! LOL!
Karen says
July 31st, 2020 at 1:26 pmHe’s a man of mystery, for sure! I have to admit being mysterious is a legit life strategy!
Tatiana says
July 31st, 2020 at 11:43 amA battery powered, portable fan is a must! I like yours. It looks a bit bigger than the one I have. It helps to keep mosquitos away too. Supposedly. I’m still not a huge fan of camping, mostly because in my family it means getting up at the crack of dawn and going for a 12 to 20 mile hike. Seriously, my child is a beast.
Last time DD and DH went camping they had rowdy neighbors. DD got up and went over and asked them to quiet down. They did for a while, but started back up. I just have a twenty-something going on grandma for a child. At least when it comes to bed times, sleep and partying.
DD and DH are going camping next week. Haven’t decided if I will join them or not.
Karen says
July 31st, 2020 at 1:26 pmYou should totally go! It’s super tiring but what else are ya gonna do? Plus coming back to your house will feel so good.
Jennifer says
July 31st, 2020 at 11:46 amBefore you go camping near a lake again, go to Walgreen’s or some store and get you some pool noodles to lounge on. Then you won’t have to work so hard to keep yourself afloat.
Jennifer recently posted … 5 Things I’m Loving This Week (July 31st Edition)
Karen says
July 31st, 2020 at 1:25 pmDefinitely! I wanted to bring some on this trip but we just didn’t get around to getting any!
Suzanne C says
July 31st, 2020 at 4:13 pmYes to the fan!!! I ordered one when we had no power for several weeks after Hurricane Michael. It was sooo hot, we could hardly sleep at night. The fan made such a difference. The secret was taking a shower (no hot water heater, so cold showers) and then going straight to bed with the fan directly on you. Kind of like your “quick refresher”, lol.
Nikki Wogoman says
July 31st, 2020 at 8:13 pmYou’re definitely made of stronger stuff than I am! I’m pretty sure if my family went camping we’d spend the whole time complaining (whether about nature or about each other I’m not sure-it could go either way), and then after about 20 minutes the bugs would start devouring my mom and I, at which point Mom would call time on this whole camping thing and start packing up. She and I like to say (during non-pandemic times, of course) that our idea of camping is staying at a Holiday Inn instead of a Hampton Inn!
Kim says
August 5th, 2020 at 10:18 amIs that an elusive El Hub sighting?! 🙂 You’re going to get better and better with the camping. I’m glad you guys are out enjoying yourselves. And kids love camping so you’re being an extra-good mom. 😉 Camping has never been my thing and it’s a running joke with my camping friends. They have big, expandable campers that are like second homes. But it’s still not the same. Plus, I always told the kids that they don’t even help clean up our actual house. Why on earth would I get a camper? And they play too many sports on the weekends to be able to camp. Can you tell I have an excuse list a mile long? HAHA! So, again, I’m giving you a ton of credit for giving Connor the camping joy! You won’t regret it. 🙂