Camping

Next year we're thinking of staying in Ottawa for the Canada Day celebrations, with their excess of people and red and white and marijuana smoke. We've done it only once, and while I'm not thrilled about doing it again, Canada's 150th should be memorable and worth experiencing.

This year, however, we stuck to the script and headed off to the campsite. Twenty-four people this time, but with more adults than kids, so still a sane ratio.

We ourselves haven't learned to pack any lighter, and we have to either borrow utility trailer space from friends or get creative with our car.

This year, creative included a spare piece of 3/4" plywood I had lying around. It took up a shockingly large fraction of the allowable weight on my roof, but it got the job done.

One day the car shall buckle.

I bought a nice big tarp a couple years ago and never had an excuse to use it until now. Rain was in the forecast, so the tarp went up on day one.

Unfortunately, we failed to anticipate the wind. And boy, was it ever windy! Who knew a 30x40 tarp would catch a breeze so dramatically? After some struggling, and the immediate loss of many grommets, one end of the tarp was collapsed into a hardly intended but very welcome wind shelter.

At any rate, the tarp gave guys legitimate reasons to hang out in trees. I think it provided more enjoyment than angst. Now to replace some grommets for next year.

Most of our sites were on the water, which gave us our own private beachfront. Very handy.

Next year we're replacing her 12-18 month swimsuit.

Lily had the misfortune of grabbing the hot end of a metal marshmallow stick one evening. After much hollering, a necessary distraction had me turning into a doctor with her as my patient. No kid can resist the satisfaction of a fancy bandage, no matter how overkill it is!

When it wasn't raining or cold, a canoe, a motorboat and fishing kept some of the water lovers busy. And an aerobie... y'know, those frisbee things that don't float. Sigh. I'll be sure to order another for next time.

Good times. Still, can't wait till we own a camper.

Abe Lincoln with a bright idea?