Crappy Camping Crafts with Catie....

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Robbie, Lane, Laura and I all survived another camping trip to Little Niangua. The weather was hot, hot, hot - but, the shady trees kept Laura and I quite comfortable....and we realized this only when we moved around too much. So, I embroidered and Laura read. We were happy to just sit....so sit we did! Actually, it was really nice to just relax with no TV, radio, Ipod, internet, bills, chores, driving, etc. etc. I also went swimming with Robbie in the river...the nasty, fish infested river. I truly am a chlorine, unnatural blue water kind of girl so it was a big deal for me to spend the 30 minutes in the river with Robbie. (yes, it was at least 30 mins, Robbie - not 15.)The only thing I like about river and lake swimming is you can totally get away with wearing cutoff shorts and no one thinks twice about you doing it. Have I ever mentioned how much bathing suits and I do not get along?

Robbie and Lane had fun canoeing and chopping stuff with their camping axes (Hey! Who gave them camping axes?!!!) Robbie spent some time jumping into the river from a tree - you should check out his blog to see a video. They also took way too many pictures, most of which were either obnoxiously taken with Lane's "Tummy Cam" or of Robbie's mustache (I have never seen a man admire his own facial hair like this before!) Also, there is just something about the river air, thick with campfire smoke, the pecking of woodpeckers and the burps of hairy, yucky neighboring campers that bring out the very worst in Robbie and Lane. The crudeness exudes from their being and they become one with their manliness in every sickening way possible - ok, not EVERY way - but close, oh, so close. Robbie has decided that he is going to buy a Sea Doo and live on it when he retires. He will catch fish and sell them to make gas money. He will sleep on the Sea Doo and wander the coves and waterways of the Little Niangua River. Like I said, there is just something about that camping air.....

Needless to say, we had a great time and, as always, Naomi and Ken (owners of the campground,) were gracious and hospitable. Even their dog Cindy is accommodating, allowing strangers to pet her. She tends to steer clear of the kids, however. The day we leave the campsite is always a glorious one as we drive straight to the Country Kitchen in Sedalia to chow down on a hot breakfast (or hamburger if you are Lane) with coffee, air conditioning and completely dressed humans. I have found it to be a nice transition back into the world of the civilized. That and I don't have to cook anything while inhaling lungs full of smoke. Also, no grounds in the coffee - but maybe a little lipstick on the coffee cup! (Poor Laura.)

Sadly, camping has left the state of my apartment in complete disarray and I really need to get motivated to clean everything and pack it all away until the next adventure....which actually is just around the corner. June will continue Camp or Die 2006 and some new recruits will be joining in on the fun. Jeremy and Laura - you better get a tent and steak, lots of steak!

Note about the pictures: There is a look-out tower not far from the campsite and we have passed it by 4 times. Robbie has always wanted to climb it and I have always refused. So, on our fifth trip we made the trek...my thighs are still burning from the climb....but it was well worth the view. The picture of Robbie and I was taken at the top.

Also, Laura made the prettiest bookmark and picked up embroidery stitches like a pro. The bookmark came in handy as she finished off THREE of her naughty romance novels. (*insert salacious verbs and adjectives here*: )

Comments

Anonymous said…
I'm glad you had fun and got back safely. The best part of camping is kicking back and minimal outside world interference. The best part about breaking my arm(besides the drugs) while camping last year was the overnight stay in the Hampton Inn. Camping makes you appreciate how great we have it. Speaking of coffee cups, Our Starbucks is beginning to look a lot like a Starbucks. Now if they could lure Krispy Kreme to Moore...Love ya, Mom
9:59 PM
Anonymous said…
Sounds and looks like you guys had lots-o-fun. It's nice to get away from everything for a few days. I sense a gourment camp fire dinner when L & J go with you next month. Wish we could be there.
6:06 PM
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