All Camped Out

Over Memorial weekend, we all went camping at a state park about an hour west of San Antonio. While Ryan has taken Sydney camping several times over the past year, this was the first time that all five of us went. Let's just say I'm glad that I only have to go once a year because camping is so not for me. (I didn't mind sleeping on an air mattress in a tent, but the heat, the bugs and the lack of clean bathrooms about did me in. And yes, I will readily admit I'm spoiled when it comes to air conditioning and restroom accommodations.)

However, we all had fun playing the river:








And, despite a gnat infestation, we had a good time watching millions of bats emerge from a nearby cave:



(Here are the kids in front of the cave. Sorry, no pictures of the bats themselves - they came out too blurry. And no, I didn't teach Liam the "Loser" sign, but obviously someone did.)


I will admit that I really enjoyed not having to cook or clean for three days in a row. The men of the group we went with (about a hundred people in all), did all of the barbecuing and we may have contributed to the demise of the planet, but it sure was nice being able to throw away paper plates rather than having to wash dishes.

The trip to this particular state park is an annual event, so I'm sure we'll go back next year. Ryan has promised to look into getting a portable air conditioner for our tent so I think that promise along with the knowledge that the kids had so much fun will convince me to go back.

Besides, I certainly can't deny my kids the opportunity to do fun things like this again:



That's my daredevil, Sydney!