My Dream... 33 Days in a Camper/Car with 3 Smelly Little Boys*
Isn't that everyone's dream? Apparently not. When we tell people what we're doing, the responses vary only slightly. They usually start out with some version of, "Oh." Like wide-eyed, fake smile, you must be bleeping insane, oh. Followed by, "You're very brave/adventurous/crazy." Crazy usually has at least a cameo in the conversation. But they always end with, "That will be a trip to remember! You'll have fun!" Heavy emphasis on YOU-not me. I would never do something so Griswold like. Occasionally, someone will squeak in a, "I'm jealous". But not really. Because you're mental.
So, now that we're closing in on the trip's sail date, things are getting a little kooky around the Munsch house. First, an inordinate amount of time and money is being spent on little things we need in order to have a successful trip. Sunglasses that aren't from the dollar store, the biggest box of baby wipes you can buy, the perfect knife for Jason, a little tiny pot for Jason to keep in his backpack in case we are stranded and he has to boil us water (I'm certain he secretly hopes this will actually happen), more skorts and tank tops than I can possibly wear in a reasonable amount of time, flashlights (we have so many flashlights we could open a store), and the list seems to grow daily.
Second, we "practice camp" every weekend. Because wouldn't you want to practice camping for 15 days before you went on a 33 day camping trip? Obviously! But honestly, we are working out some kinks on the practice trips. Backing the trailer into place and leveling the trailer (we are now yelling at each other a little less than before). Gauging our water consumption (no 45 second showers (this is not an exaggeration) that vacillate between luke warm and scalding (all in 45 seconds) until the night before we leave). And most importantly, determining just how much electricity we can use on just our battery power and the solar panel Jason installed. Because we will be camping for a total of 10 days without electrical hookups. Fancy right? Turns out you can't use very much electricity. At all.
But, the main kink is that after 36 hours together, we're all pretty much over each other. Some people in this family need personal space and quiet every once in a while or they get cranky. Like barbarian cranky. Not to mention that most of us are delicate orchids who need the exact ratio of water, food, exercise, and sleep to function properly. Or we get barbarian cranky. Let's just suffice it to say, that we are all gong to have to mellow out if we want any chance of surviving this thing.
And, truthfully, I'd like not just to survive, but to thrive! We are going to see and do amazing things. Things that are on my bucket list. Things I can't wait to see my boys experience. National Parks galore: Yellowstone, Glacier, Zion, Arches, Rocky. Cities to explore: Seattle, San Francisco. Play time: Aquariums, boat tours, Disneyland, Legoland, the Ocean, white water rafting, Science center. And so much more.
I know there are people who think we're crazy, or that we won't make the whole trip (thanks for the support dad), or that it's a recipe for disaster. But I'm excited. I'm hopeful. I can't wait to start our adventure.
*If you plan to use our absence to rob us blind, please cancel your plans because 1) we own literally nothing of value, 2) we have a full-time house sitter who is trained in the art of Jiujitsu, 3) if you get past the Jiujitsu master, Comic will eat you. Jilly will likely join in because she's a follower.
So, now that we're closing in on the trip's sail date, things are getting a little kooky around the Munsch house. First, an inordinate amount of time and money is being spent on little things we need in order to have a successful trip. Sunglasses that aren't from the dollar store, the biggest box of baby wipes you can buy, the perfect knife for Jason, a little tiny pot for Jason to keep in his backpack in case we are stranded and he has to boil us water (I'm certain he secretly hopes this will actually happen), more skorts and tank tops than I can possibly wear in a reasonable amount of time, flashlights (we have so many flashlights we could open a store), and the list seems to grow daily.
Second, we "practice camp" every weekend. Because wouldn't you want to practice camping for 15 days before you went on a 33 day camping trip? Obviously! But honestly, we are working out some kinks on the practice trips. Backing the trailer into place and leveling the trailer (we are now yelling at each other a little less than before). Gauging our water consumption (no 45 second showers (this is not an exaggeration) that vacillate between luke warm and scalding (all in 45 seconds) until the night before we leave). And most importantly, determining just how much electricity we can use on just our battery power and the solar panel Jason installed. Because we will be camping for a total of 10 days without electrical hookups. Fancy right? Turns out you can't use very much electricity. At all.
But, the main kink is that after 36 hours together, we're all pretty much over each other. Some people in this family need personal space and quiet every once in a while or they get cranky. Like barbarian cranky. Not to mention that most of us are delicate orchids who need the exact ratio of water, food, exercise, and sleep to function properly. Or we get barbarian cranky. Let's just suffice it to say, that we are all gong to have to mellow out if we want any chance of surviving this thing.
And, truthfully, I'd like not just to survive, but to thrive! We are going to see and do amazing things. Things that are on my bucket list. Things I can't wait to see my boys experience. National Parks galore: Yellowstone, Glacier, Zion, Arches, Rocky. Cities to explore: Seattle, San Francisco. Play time: Aquariums, boat tours, Disneyland, Legoland, the Ocean, white water rafting, Science center. And so much more.
I know there are people who think we're crazy, or that we won't make the whole trip (thanks for the support dad), or that it's a recipe for disaster. But I'm excited. I'm hopeful. I can't wait to start our adventure.
*If you plan to use our absence to rob us blind, please cancel your plans because 1) we own literally nothing of value, 2) we have a full-time house sitter who is trained in the art of Jiujitsu, 3) if you get past the Jiujitsu master, Comic will eat you. Jilly will likely join in because she's a follower.
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